Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-03-03
CRONJE is CAPTURED
LATEST MOVEMENTS IN THE
CAMPAIGN.
A Full Summary of the Transvaai
War News Progress of the Con-
fict From by to Day-The British
Encouraged.

Cronje is caight! The Lion OF
South Africa has at last given up 10
Roberts The 1000 Beers who made
up his army ould no longer hold out
against Roberts and $4,000 British
troops.
The following is the official des-
patch received from Lord Roberts an
bouncing Gel Cronje's surrender.
Gen. Crolb and all his forces capt.
tulated uncdtlitionally at daylight
and are novlprisoners in my camp.
THE streu3th of his force will be
communicated later.
81 hope thai Her Majesty's Govern
tnent will corhder this event satisfac-
tory, OCCURRING as it does, on the an
| uiversary of Mjuba. ROBERTS,.
Gen. Cronjel sent an officer TO the
British lines d. dawn with flag OF
truce, who Informed Lord Kitchener
that Gen. Cronje was willing to sur
render, having found his position un-
tenable. with OILY defeat and capture
IN prospect If be continued to fight.
A safe conduct was requested for
women and children. Gen. Kitchener
granted the request, but insisted that
surrender in all respects be absolute
iy unconditional To this Gen. CronJe
agreed.
he German newspapers are dlsaD-
pointed at the surrender of General
Crenie. They admit that Lord Roberts
has shown real military ability and
dash. and that the Beers have lost IN
Cronie their most skillful leader.
It is reported that Lady Roberts,
o. II I r,v~d IN n.
erts, win ;,lrortly start 20 JOIN her nus
band.
The all important questions are,
What effect will the capitulation
have upon the Boers?" and What
will be Roberts next mover" This
British victory does not mean collapse
on tn5 part of the Beers. 1t means
the fraying of the Free State force,
the removal of one of the most skill
tul commanders and the return to
their farms of the weak kneed among
the Free Staters, but in the Free State
one other series of actions at least
will have to be fought, while the
march into the Transvaal means very
hard fighting and the loss of many
lives. That the British government
appreciates this is shown by the an
Eouncement that the Eighth division
will be sent out so soon as transports
are available. The concensus of mill
tary opinion is that Roberts will move
on Decentralization is reported
TO be already on the way-perhaps
sending a strong mounted force to re-
lieve Mafeking.
General Butler has at last succeed
ed, after weeks of continuous ham
mering, in breaking the steel band
which the Beers have placed around
Ladysmith. BY his successful attack
he now holds the backbone of the
rugged country between Colenso and
I.adysmith. Before him lie some mi
nor hills, called the Besters Farm po-
sition. Then comes the open valley,
Caesars Camp and Ladysmith. Low
hills and an open valley. commanded
by the great Bulwana Mountain. are
still occupied by the Beers, and UNI
til the guns on that eminence are ST.
fenced no stores can be sent to Lady
smith. Butler. if he brings up his big
guns to his present position, which
would take some days, should be able
acting with the Ladysmith garrison.
to pour a cross fire on the Beers and
silence their heavy guns.
General Butler continues his ad-
vance through Natal Colony towards
Ladysmith, the Beers fiercely contest
ing his movements. His casualties in
clude many officers and men since
February 20.
The Pretoria Government pro-
claimed February rs and February 81
days of thanksgiving and prayer, pre-
sumably in memory of the battle of
Majuba Hill.
A despatch from Kimberley says its
inhabitants have planned to erect a
statue to Cecil Rhodes, in recognition
Of his services during the siege.