St'5
oedtnh
PROCEEDINGS OF THE POPULIST
CONVENTION.
PATTERSON CHAIRMAN
ItMChN By tha Laadara of tha
Party Craata Enthuslsm-Col.
Bryan's Nomination.
ffioux Fall, 8. D., May 10. Tempora
ry Chairman Rlngdal rapped the popu
st convention to order at :46, three-
vmUrt of an hour after the time set
at laat night's adjournment.
The committee on credentials present
ad It report declaring: that there were
ao contesting delegations and recom
mending that the vote of Missouri be
shcrcaacd by two votes, that of Ohio by
two rote and that of South Dakota by
Arc votes.
The report, which was read by Cov
evaor Poynter of Nebraska, was adopt
as! without a dissenting vote. The mi
amity report threatened last night by
Committeeman Madden of Colorado did
vat materialise.
The committee on permanent organ
Etc Hon reported the name of Thomas M.
Patterson of Colorado for permanent
shall man. T. H. Currarf of Kansas, Leo
taunt of Colorado and E. M. Deisher
mt Pennsylvania as permanent secre
taries. Mr. Patterson's naem was
greeted with great applause, which ex
tended Into vociferous cheering as he
came to the front of the platform.
PATTERSON' ROUSES THEM.
la accepting the position, Mr. Patter-
ana briefly sketched the history of the
populist party and the causes which led
mp to its organization.
"The school of Hamilton, the school
mt doubt of the ability of the people to
an vera themselves," continued Mr. Pat
terson, "has completely dominated the
eoonrils of both the democratic and
aavbllcan parties. The people's party
was constituted to restore the land
ararks of our fathers, to take up the
struggle where the democratic party
lad left oft, to prove that these people
are capable of self-government and
km should be made for the people, by
sbe people and protects the rights which
sac mere existence of the Individual can
conferred on him."
Tte speaker gave a short history of
t financial legislation of congress
staring the laat administration of Pres
Hent Cleveland and that of President
MfKInley.
"During this controversy," he said.
seed of the people's party, which
been sown in 1892, began to bear
That party believed then, and
eMeres today, In the right of the peo
jle to control the issue of their own
wrrency without dictation of Wall
atreet."
WORK OF PEOPLE'S PARTY.
He then gave a history of the early
aaeeeswes of the people's party and
went on: "To check the approach of
ate people's party throughout the whole
swath, the democrats of that section ln
sorporated Into their own creed the
populists trusts and embodied In their
aTafform of 189 all the cardinal princi
ple of the populist platform of nearly
fcor years ago.
"The democratic party of 1896 noml
aated Mr. Bryan and later the people's
party nominated Mr. Bryan. It has
Seen said that we showed wonderful
magnanimity In choosing the avowed
candidate of another party. I say no.
The people's party would have been
fa fee to all Its avowed principles had
nominated any other man than Mr.
Bryan. We never surrendered our
rfgftta as a party. We never could have
aomfnated any other man."
R fronds of applause greeted the
speaker's denunciation of imperialism
amf the heavy Increase In the standing
army following the "wars of conquest,"
and" Bis comparison of the republican,
democratic and populist platforms
brought many of the delegates to their
feet. "9o dominant baa the spirit of
aopaflstn be coma in the democratic
party." said the speaker, "that that
party does not take issue with a sin
gle principle advanced in the Omaha or
Bt Lout platforms. The republican
party takes Issue with every vital
avast loa that la ia the populist plat-
"The populist party stand a a men
tar,'" be continued, "for other political
parties teas advanced and leas progres
sfre than we arc. The people' party
and shall tire, for it is the plo-
' of every political reform that, by
concensus of American opinion, is
tiaJ to American free govtrn-
YICTORT IS CERTAIN.
r6at I tb outlook.' 'asked the
"for the coming presidential
I eaaaot doubt the outcome.
Vg wilt CO before the coontry as w
waw? kwfbrt, with the principles we
Ur aft fly profissid ana under the
EafanMp of William Jessing Bryan."
Owam)
Cr. Paxtevaoa taea entered upon an
eulogy of Mr. Bryan a a
and a soldier of the
war,
r. ssaaannlrl the ratification of the
ja UPC PaWSff wiw rniM,rfiivv in
Ct MMmtkai aC aaeataa who did not
Vw to ba igmrt Be waa anxious
far flirt that "the promise of
-hi meet taade ta U.ttt.tOt of
- xcat aa rasaa.
ta jarred Una UMr he
-:X. rjr rrr n
v U Ca
.7 V C-LM.
ihe gold party are located, he Is ac
knowledged a safe man and he will be
the unanimous nominee of the demo
cratic convention at Kansas City."
(Cheers.)
The speaker then predicted a sweep
ing triumph for Mr. Bryan in Novem
ber and that his electiun would mean
that the rights of the people are ad
vanced to a higher level than ever be
fore. "Whatever may be the glory of that
victory," he said, "the people's party
may claim the greatest share, and It
will have been the great political power
that brought about the great result."
A long continued round of applause
greeted the chairman as he sat down.
After Governor Poynter had present
ed Chairman Patterson with a gavel
made of seventeen different kinds of
Nebraska wood, General Weaver was
Introduced to announce a meeting -of
state delegates to meet Immediately
after the session, "in order," he said,
"to avoid any differences which may
arise over the question which haa been
before us for several days."
The report of the committee on plat
form and resolutions was then called
for, but the committee was not ready
to report. A proposition to adjourn for
three hours was voted down.
"I am now ready to entertain a mo
tion for the nomination of president
before the report of the committee on
resolutions is presented," announced
the chairman.
Cries of, "No, no; wait for the plat
form," came from ail parts of the big
tent. Considerable confusion ensued,
but finally at 11:04 o'clock a motion for
a recess until 2 o'clock was adopted to
allow the various committees to com
jlete their work.
HEARS THE PLATFORM.
At 2 o'lock the convention heard the
report of the committee on resolutions.
The long financial plank of the plat
form. Including the denunciation of
the recent banking law and especially
the demand for free coinage of sliver
at the ratio of 1 to 1 was received with
wild cheering. The demand for an in
heritance tax also received a round of
applause. Vigorous cheering was also
heard on the reading of the plank on
transportation, the demand for abolish
ment of all tariffs on "trust" goods and
the indorsement of the initiative and
referendum. Cries of "good," "good.
greeted the denunciation of the admin
istration's Philippine policy and the
Porto It lean tax.
When rhat plank extending sympathy
to the South African republic, denounc
ing any alliance with foreign powers,
waa read, the convention broke into
wild applause, lusting for some time.
Indorsement of the municipal owner
ship of public utilities received but
faint applause, but vigorous hand clap
ping ensued when direct election of
United States senators was demand-id.
At the conclusion of the reading of
the platform Jerry Simpson moved that
the platform be adopted as read and i
the committee discharged. The motion
received half a dozen seconds.
A delegate from Michigan objected as
the platform carried no pledge of sup
port to the candidate to be nominated.
There's no objection to any delegate
offering a motion to that effect, I
guess," said Mr. Simpson. "The com
mittee would like to be discharged."
The motion was made. A standing
vote was called for and amid great
cheering every delegate In the tent
arose, not a vote being recorded.
"The platform Is adopted by unan
imous vote," announced Speaker Pat
terson. "The next thing In the conven
tion," said he, "is the presentation of
names for the office of president of the
United States."
SENATOR ALLEN PRESENTED.
Then, without pausing or calling for
any roll of states, he went on: "I have
the pleasure of Introducing Senator Al
len of Nebraska, "
This could mean but one man, and
that was Bryan, and before Senator
Allen could come to the front of the
platform the convention was on Its feet
cheering frantically, waving flags, hats
and handkerchiefs.
HE NOMINATES BRTAN.
The speech of Senator Ailen was brief
and to the point. He spoke as follows:
"He embodies In his political convic
tions. In his life, all that Is good In
an American citizen, all that is pure
and loyal, all that the most exacting
could desire; a statesman of ripe ex
perence. a philosopher, a patriot with
out a peer, either in this or any other
continent. Peerless, bold, determined,
thoroughly united to the Interests of the
great mass of his countrymen, who
would make, and will make, an Ideal
candidate for the exalted office of pres
ident of the United States. Since the
result of the election of ISM was known
to the American people, among the fu
sion forces of the United States, there
has been bat one name connected with
the office and wttb the nomination at
this time. He Is the embodiment of all
that opposes plutocracy, that opposes
greed, that opposes the exercise of
criminal power In public life. He Is, in
my Judgment, the most American citl
aen of the aaa. I think he Is, as an
orator, aa a statesman, the equal of
Webster and Clay, If not their superior.
H waa a Nebraskaa, but belongs now
to the world. Without further discus
sion, without further description of this
man, I present to this convention this
hero, statesman and orator, William
Jennings Bryan."
The announcement at Mr. Bryan's
nana waa the signal for another en
thusiastic outburst. The Minnesota
delegation hoisted a huge star, having
the portrait of Mr. Bryan In the cen
ter, and the convention cheered again,
more vigorously than before.
OENERAL WEAVER SECOND.
When Ma rotee could be beard.Chalr-
Pattaiaoa aaaoaaesd:
"1 kara taa ptsasare ta mtroauoe
General James B. Weaver of Iowa."
Another outburst of cheers rang out
as the veteran from Iowa came for
ward to second the nomination of Mr.
Bryan. He spoke, in (art. as follows:
"I had the horor to present at St.
Louis the name of the distinguished
gentleman who has Just been mention
ed," said General Weaver. "I am glad
that I can say here today that there
has never been a moment from that
day to this that I have regretted, or
any populist In America has regretted,
that he was the choke of that conven
tion. The century past has produced
but three great civic names Thomas
Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Wil
liam J. Bryan. The delegates In this
convention are disciples of the first,
many of them helped put the second
In the chair, and we are followers of
the third. Mr. Bryan is peculiarly a
representative of American civilisation.
It Is with peculiar satisfaction and
with the most unselfish purpose that I
arise before you to second the nomina
tion of William Jennings Bryan as
president of the United States."
Jerry Simpson waa then announced,
amid vigorous applause. It was enough,
he said, to say of Mr. Bryan lhat he
had rinen head and shoulders above
his compeers In the democratic party
and that he had also captured the peo
ple's party as welt
Mr. Bryan, he declared, represented
the struggle for human rights, and he
wanted the populists to stand by him
and do ail In their power to elect him,
thus taking the first step toward restor
ing the country to its old-time glory.
Mr. G. F. Washburn of Massachu
setts added his testimony In behalf of
Mr. Bryan. He said:
"I rise to second the nomination of
William J. Bryan, because embodied In
him Is the spirit of many millions of
free American people. He has the wis
dom of Jefferson, the heroism of Jack
son and the magnetism of Lincoln. The
hope of the nation rests In that per
sonality and I trust that he will be
nominated by acclamation.
The chair recognized "Cyclone" Davis
of Texas and a shout went up as the
tall form of Mr. Davis loomed up on hi
way to the platform.
TEXAS ENTHUSIASM.
Mr. David announced that at other
conventions he had been a political op
ponent of Mr. Bryn, but had now
come over to the ranks of the elect, and
believed that In him lay the hopes of
the nation and the only man who can
'throttle the oppressors of the people."
"We have Bryan clubs down our
way. said the speaker, and l can
promise you next fall a Bryan vote of
2S0.0OO majority. We are with him heart
and soul and we give him not only our
love and admiration, but the hot blos
som of a noble surrender for the. good
of the American people. McKinley has
been railed the Napoleon of republican
politics, and perhaps the title Is not
inappropriate, for we all known that
Napoleon made a dash Into the orient
and it did not pan out very well."
Keeping up his Napoleonic simile, the
speaker proceeded that the "Napoleon
of republican polities would meet his
Waterloo next November. There were
loud calls of "Butler, Butler," and Ma-
Iron Butler of North Carolina was
greeted with cheers as he came for
ward. Briefly, but eloquently. Senator But
ler seconded Mr. Bryan's nomination.
"I for one," said he. "will put Into this
fight all that is In my power. I know
every populist In the United States will
do the same in any capacity he may be
told to act, and I appeal to you to make
his election certain next November."
W. J. Thomas of Colorado, the next
s packer, said that Colorado had never
been behind In the espousal of reform
measures, and that the state would
again be found in the column of 1300 as
a suppsater of Mr. Bryan. "He had,"
be said, "found Mr. Bryan equal to all
emergencies, and was confident he
would be elected."
HENRY CLAY SUPPORTERS.
Mr. Olds of Pennsylvania, "now M
years old, who voted for Henry Clay
In 1844 and is now for William J. Bry
an," was the next Introduced.
Mr. Olds, bent aid white bearded,
said that he had walked a thousand
miles to vote for Henry Clay In 1844.
"I csme a thousand miles to see Wil
liam J. Bryan nominated In this con
vention," said Mr. Olds, "and I hope
you will not allow me to be defeated,
as I waa In 1844."
Cries of "We won't" greeted Mr. Olds
as he sat down.
Mr. Jones of Illinois assured the con
vention that his state would give Mr.
Bryan a majority In November.
Senator Allen of Nebraska stepped
forward.
"Mr. Chairman," said, he, amidst per
fect sllecne, "I move that the rules of
this convention be suspended and that
William Jennings Bryan be nominated
by acclamation for president of the
United States."
Amid the din that followed Senator
Allen's motion and Its seconding the
speaker's voice waa faintly heard call
ing on those delegates who favored the
motion to rise and remain standing.
As on man, the convention arose,
hats, canes, umbrellas, flags, were wav
ed In the air amid deafening cheers,
the uproar being Increased by the band
playing "Old Hundred." Some enthusi
astic delegate tore loose a large picture
of Bryan hanging In front of the speak
er and tied It to the label, where,
cheering for Bryan, he held It while
the convention applauded frantically.
"I propose three cheers for William
J. Bryan," cried George P. Washburn
of Massachusetts. These were given
with a will tnd the convention then
quieted down.
"I announce the nomination by a
unanimous vote of William Jennings
Bryan for president of the United
Mates," said Chairman Patterson at
soon aa aa could aa heard.
COL. OHM
NOMINATED BY POPULISTS BY
ACCLAMATION.
BRYAN AND TOVtiE.
Tha Convention Selects the Mlnne-
sola Leader After a Day of
DebataOver tha Action.
Sioux Falls, S IX-3peclaJ.) Wil
liam J. Bryan was nominated for presi
dent by acclamation and as the result
of a steady drift of sentiment for the
last two days, the populist national
convention by a vote of two to one
voted down all propositions intended to
defer a vice presidential nomination,
and then by acclamation, and amid
greatest enthusiasm, nominated Charles
A. Towne as Mr. Bryan's running mate
In the ensuing campaign. Iowa, Ne
braska, Colorado and Kansas stood
almost solidly to the end against a
vice president nomination, but the sen
timent of eastern and southern delega
torui was too strong to be overcome.
At a noon conference participated in
by the chairman of all the state dele
gations, presided over by Governor
Poynter, the Towne support was clear
ly Indicated as controlling the conven
tion and the fight thereafter waa a
hojieless one.
The opposition to Towne's nomina
tion was made, of course, purely on
grounds of expediency. To a man, al
most, the delegates were for Charles
A. Towne for vice president, the minor
ity acting from a belief that his nomi
nation by this convention might Im
peril his nomination at Kansas City.
The majority, however, contended, and
successfully, that his nomination here
was essential to the continued exist
ence of the people's party.
UNANIMOUS FOR FUSION.
The great significant features of the
session, overshadowing everything else,
was the everywhere expressed deter
mination that nothing that the Kan
sas City conventions may or may not
ia on the vice presidential question
hall be allowed to hinder fusion In any
say or take from Mr. Bryan populist
up port.
When Senator Butler, the leader of
the Towne forces, declared In the con
vention that even should the democrats
fall to nominate Towne the two vice
presidential candidates would work to
gether to secure Bryan's election, he
voiced the unanimous sentiment of the
delegates.
Although there was a grave and vital
lifference of opinion on an Important
juestion, factionalism and bitter feei
ng were noticeably absent. While two
r three of the leaders clashed once
ir twice, the body of the convention
was always calm, temperate and de
void of ill feeling.
BRYAN'S NOMINATION.
Bryan was nominated for the presl-
lency by acclamation by a wildly en
thusiastic vote, the delegates rising,
;heering and waving flags and Bryan
pictures for full three minutes. The
Dominating speech by Senator Allen,
eloquent and strong as It was brief,
had started rolling a wave of enthusi
asm that was but heightened and In
tensified by the seconding speeches of
Jerry Simpson, General Weaver and
George F. Washburn, "Cyclone" Davis,
Marion Butler, W. J, Thomas of Colo
rado, and A. D .Olds of Pennsylvania.
rhe last named gentleman was a gray
and venerable patriarch of 86, who de
clared he had voted for Henry Clay,
lohn C. Fremont and Abraham Lln
;oln. The great demonstration following
Bryan's nomination having subsided.
there was Intense stillness that pre
saged the coming storm when Chair
man Patterson said: "The next order of
business reads as follows: To take ac
tion on the nomination of a candidate
for vice president of the United States.
The chair awaits the pleasure of the
convention."
MOVE FOR TOWNE.
Then from the Massachusetts delega
tion arose the tall and sparse and well-
tailored figure of E. Oerry Brown. "I
move." he said, "that the convention
proceed to the nomination of a candi
date for vice president by ballot." The
motion was loudly cheered by the
Towne men, and the cheering took on
a deeper note when Senator Marion
Butler took the floor, a "Bryan and
Towne" badge conspicuous on bis cost
lapel, and seconded the motion, which,
If It prevailed, would Insure hi re-election
to the' senate from North Caro
lina next winter.
George A. Washburn, the peacemaker
of the convention, then amended the
motion of his Maasachusett colleague
to the effect that a committee from this
convention, to consist of one member
from each state and territory be em
powered to present to the Kansas City
convention Ave names which this con
vention should choose by ballot ,as ca-
ceptable to the populists. If none of
these should be nominated, then, his
amendment provided, the committee,
acting with the national populist execu
tive committee, should proceed to nom
inate a populist for vice president.
General Weaver brought out the third
proposition, moving, as a substitute for
the amendment, that no nomination
now be made for the vice presidency,
but that a committee be sent to Kan
sas City, authorised to act with those
conventions In nominating a randldats
m all respects In harmony with the
Sioux Palls platform, falling whlrh,
they should set with the populist exec-
utive committee In nominating a pop
ullat or stiver republican.
SIMPSON'S SOLUTION.
Jerry Simposn added hi mite to the
complication by offering an amendment
to the substitute to the amendment to
the original motion. Simpson' amend
ment left the whole matter of the vice
presidency to the national committee,
to be chosen by this convention. The
possibilities in the nature of substi
tutes and amendment being now ex
hausted, the question reoccurred on
Simpson' amendment to Weaver' sub
stltute, which the Iowan announced he
would for the time being accept.
Simpson was the first speaker.
Grizzled, lantei n-Jawed, and saturn
ine, he abandoned his customary torts
and words of sarcasm and Irony and
pleaded with the.conventlon to take no
hasty action. His amendment he de
clared, was offered for the purpose of
assuring fusion and the election of Wil
liam J. Bryan.
In the platform already adopted, he
continued, the convention, without a
dissenting vote, has Invited fusion and
co-operation. Let it now Itself aid In
the accomplishment of this desire. Let
it avoid such action as would again
tack two tails to the fusion ticket. This
convention, he said, would soon appoint
a national committee representative of
its principles and its wishes. Let that
committee meet the democrats and
talk with them face tb face at Kansas
City, neither party dictating what the
other should do.
Senator Butler opened the debate on
behalf of those demanding a nomina
tion. He declared that he had but little
doubt of the result. He and his fol
lowers, he said, were anxious to Insure
Bryan' election. But they were also
anxious to preserve the people's party.
"If the party is sacrificed and dies,"
he cried, "then reform dies with It.
When you destroy the party you will
find you have di-stroed Mr. Bryan.
"If an one here wants to sc-e the
people's party die or make It a tall to
the democratic party, he haa no busi
ness in this convention. This Is the
people's party, and by the eternal, it
shall continue to exist. These men at
Cincinnati cannot trade It off, If we
don't sacrifice it here."
Senator Butler spoke at some length,
concluding: "We ought to nominate a
vice presidential candidate here and
now. And even If they refuse to In
dorse him at Kansas City, we can put
their candidate and our candidate on
the stump side by side, both pleading
for Bryan's election, and with them j
and him we'll sweep the country."
SENATOR ALLEN REPLIES.
There was Intense silence as the tall
form of Senator Allen arose to reply to
his colleague from North Carolina, He
declared that for the first time he and
Senator Butler were disagreed, but that
nothing that could be said or done here
would destroy the strong personal and
political attachment existing between
them.
"I want to say," he continued, "that
no man or set of men can destroy the
populist party. It Is built on principle
and will live when you and 1 are dead
and forgotten." Senator Allen then
spoke strongly In favor of the Simpson
substitute. It was simply, he said, a
move to act with wisdom In this crisis.
If the democrats and silver republicans
should turn a deaf ear to the populist
national committee, then It could nom
inate Its own vice president.
"What do we lose by that?" he asked.
"Does that destroy the party? Isn't
that the part of wisdom?" (Cries of
"Yes" and "No.") The senator then
paid a high tribute to the character of
hi friend, Charles A. Towne. "But, I
want to tell you," he said, "that the
way to defeat Mr. Towne In election Is
to nominate him here today. Let us
take counsel by our mistakes cf the
past and not make a mistake here to
day," (Cheers.)
ILLINOIS FOR TOWNE.
Dr. Howard S. Taylor of Illinois wa
next recognized. He said that he real
ized that at this time no speaker could
do more than voice opinions already
formed. The Illinois populists, he said,
had Instructed their delegation to Insist
that this convention should perform
the full functions of a national nomi
nating convention. He questioned Sen
ator Allen's "tine faith in the everlast
ing duration of the populist party."
Pioneer parties before this hud lived,
accomplished great purpose and died.
The one safe thing to do today, he said,
was to "make an adequate. 111 nomina
tion for the vice presidency."
His reference to Towne as the "Chev
alier Bayard, the great white hero of
'," brought out loud and long ap
plause. - Three month ago, he assert
ed, democratic lesders everywhere
were conceding the second place on the
Itcket to the populists. They were will
ing then to have this convention nomi
nate Bryan and Caldwell. What objec
tion, he asked, I there to Towne as a
substitute. "I know," he shouted,
"that they object because Charle A.
Towne I too fully the embodiment of
the Chicago platform. They want a
moderate man a veneered man. '
He brought out loud cheer by refer
ring to the east a "the tory end ol
the country," and declaring It would
never support Bryan on any terms.
"Why not nominate Towne?" he cried;
"God bless his honest face. He 1
Bryan's Kidus Achates; he would die
for him. When you have decided," he
concluded, "then I have decided, for 1
will work and act with you." (Loud
cheers.) At this Juncture the conven
tion adjourned until t o'clock.
The scene when the convention begsn
assembling for the evening session was
striking and impressive. Seven arc
lights Illuminated the main portion of
the great tent, but at the far end the
cavernous depths were gray and som
bre. Delegates were hurrying about,
shouting and gesticulating, making the
last herculean effort to convince the
obdurate opposition on the stsge. Sev
eral hundred ladles In the brilliant and
variegated colors of summer, lent beau
ty and animation to the scene.
The Washburn resolution having been
defeated by a vote of 270 ayes to 6M
nays, the roll wss called for nomina
tions. After the several nomlnstloni
and withdraw!, amid shouts, cheers
and trumpets, Towne's nomination waa
made by a rising vole. i
OER UAI3.
ROBERTS BAYS BOERS ARE IM
. FULL RETREAT.
STEYII READY TO FIGHT
Tha British Member of Partlmant
Wager That Pretoria Will Fall
In Thraa Months.
London. (Special.) The war office
ha received the following dispatch
from Lord Roberts:
"Cable Cart, Zand River. May 10.
The enemy are in full retreat. They
occupied a position twenty mile ia
length. Ours was necessarily longer.
With the widely scattered force it will
take some time to learn the casualties,
but I am hopeful we have nut auffered
much. The cavalry and horse artillery
are pursuing the Boers by three dif
ferent road."
In a short time afterward this mes
sage was received:
"Cable Cart Headquarters, at the
Front, May 10 (2:10 a. m.) We are now
across the Zand river. The enemy are
still holding a strong position, but we
are gradually pushing them back."
The , crossing o fthe Zand river by
the British appear to have been ef
fected sooner than even the moat san
guine expected and this morning Lord
Roberts' temporary headquarter ia es
tablished In a cable cart on the north,
bank of the river.
BETTING ON PRETORIA'S FALL.
Members of the house of commons
were freely betting In the lobble last
evening that Lord Robert would be
In Pretoria in two months. The min
isterialists are building confident hopes
upon the comprehensive plans he had
communicated to the war office.
Predictions are definitely made that
he will be In Kroonstad next Monday
and it Is believed that his advance
force Is already reeonnolterlng In the
vicinity of Ventors. where the hilly
country begins again.
Beyond K rooms tad Is in Intricate and
difficult country, and If the Boer a
should elect to fight. It Is possible they
rould check the progress of the Brit
ish until the cavalry have had time to
ride around heir ank and threaten their
rear.
From 15,000 to 20.000 Is the highest
estimate of the Boers under General
Botha, who Is said to have forty-six
guns. Botha and tienerai i-o wet are
reported to have quarreled.
Lord Roberts Is pressing hard after
this force with SS.Ooo men and 140 guna
nd 20,000 more men are easily avail
able. Lord Roberts' summaries of re
sult are not followed by apy up-to-date
pres telegrams. The correspond
ents are confined to events two or three
days old, so far as Lord Roberta Is con
cerned. STEYN TO GIVE BATTLE.
President Steyn with 10,oo0 men la
reported to have been east of Thaha
N'Chu yesterday (Thursday) noon and
a battle was then Imminent. The ad
vance troops of General Bundle and
General Brabant were being fired on.
According to advices from Durban,
dated Thursday, General Buller army
is "showing activity," but a complete
embargo 1 placed on news from him.
New Zealand scouts burned the home
stead of a farmer named Grcyllng, la
whose house arms were found at Decr
Ing. During a concert for the sufferers
from the Begble works explosion, given
Saturday evening at Pretoria In the
Gaiety theater, the door were sud
denly closed and every man In the au
dience was commandeered. All horses
were taken from the conveyances out
side. President Kruger ha released the
Dally Mall correspondents, Halloweil
and Hofmelcr.
Half the foreign merchants at Lo
renzo Marqucz held an Indignation
meeting to protest against the new
regulations, whereby blankets, cloth
ing and "bully beef waa declared con
traband. Twelve thousand cases are
In bond there.
DOES SALISBURY FEAJt FRANCE?
The alarmist tone of Lord Salis
bury' speech Wednesday ha created
the Impression that the apprehensions
of the premier are even more serious
than he expressed. His utterances are
ascribed to the recent successes of the
nationalist In France, hatred of Eng
land being one of the weapon of the
campaign. The revival of military
glory, one of the Ideal set up In
France, is regarded a dangerous to
England.
The Time publishes a letter from
Bloernfontetn describing the Koorn
Spruit disaster. The writer says that
It was due to a criminal neglect of the
tnoet primitive precaution In war, and
he asserts that an advance guard of a
single troop would have averted the
mishap.
The Standard publishes the follow
ing, dated May I, from Welgelegeo:
"The engagement on the Vet river
caused the Boers to be dissatisfied with
their leader. I learn from Pretoria
that the Boer Intend to retire to Ly
denberg, leaving to the foreign nvr
cenales the task of defending Johan
nesburg) and Ttetorta. The foreign
mercenaries are now advocating the
ending out of guerrilla parties of from
100 to 400 strong rather than a persist
ence In operation on a large scale,
but the Boers are not dashing enough
for that kind of work. Wbstever hap
pens at Kroonstad. there Is no doubt
that, the frontier wlU be strongly contested."
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