The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-02-27

LONDON. Feb. 27.-Lord Roberts cabled
to the War Office from Paardeberg this
morning as follows:
Cronje and all his force capitulated
unconditionally al daylight this morn
ing. Now prisoners in my camp.
Strength Of force will be communicated
later I hope Government considers
this event satisfactory, occurring on
the anniversary Of Majuba.
ROBERTS.
In the House Of Lords today the Marquis
Of Lansdowne. Secretary Of State for War
read the following despatch from Lord
Roberts which was sent from Paardeberg
at ll:20 O'Clock this morning:
From information received from
the intelligence department it became
apparent that the Boer forces were be
coming depressed and Disconnected.
This, no doubt had been accenJuated
by the disappointment caused by the
fact that the Boer e-enforceuents had
been defeated.
l resolved, therefore. to bring pres
sure to bear on the enemy's trenches.
We pushed forward so gradually as 10
contract his position, and at the same
time l bOmbarded heavily. This was
materially added TO by the arrival Of
four six-inch howitzers, which were
brought from De Aar In &C frying out
these measures the captive balloon
greatly assisted in giving the necessary
information as to the disposition OF
the enemy.
Al o'clock this morning a most
dashing advance was made by the Ca
madam regiment and the engineers,
supported by the First Gordons and the
Second Shropshires. which resulted in
our gaining a point GOO yards nearer
the enemy and so yards from his
trenches. where our men entrenched
and maintained the position till morn
Ing. Il was gallant deed, worthy Of
our colonial soldiers. and one which, l
am glad to say. was attended with
comparatively slight loss.
This apparently precipitated matters.
At daylight a letter. signed by Cronje,
was sent in under a nag Of truce in
which he stated that he surrendered
Internationally.
In my reply I told Cronje he must
present himself at my camp and his
force must come out Of the iaagsT aft
er laying down their arms. At
O'Clock received Cronje AM in the
course Of the conversation CrOnje
asked for kind treatment at cur hands:
also that his wife, grandson. private
secretary. adiutant. and servants might
accompany him wherever he might be
sent. l reassured him and told him
his request would be complied with.
told him general officer would be
sent with him to Cape Town 10 ensure
his being treated with proper respect
and that be would start today.
The prisoners number about 5000
and will be formed into commandos
under their own officers. They will
leave here today. reaching Modder Riv-
er tomorrow. whence they will be sent
10 Cape Town in detachments
In the House of Commons Mr.. George
Wyndham. Parliamentary Secretary OF
State for War. read the detailed despatch
from Lord Roberts in regard to the sur
render Of General Cronje and there was
great cheering. a special cheer was given
for the Canadians when the portion Of The
message referring to their gallantry vas
read
Mr. wyndham repeated Lord Roberts
statement that special steps would be
taken to secure respectful treatment for
General Cronie during his journey.
Much surprise was expressed here when
Roberts officially notified the Government
that the prisoners surrendered numbered
only three thousand. 1t was expected he
had captured a force Of at least eight
thousand. and unless Cronje's casualties
number among the thousands the first
great British victory will not turn out tc
be so great after all. as it seems incred-
ible that a force Of 1000 trained British
soldiers. under the greatest commander
the British Empire has. could be held il
check for ten days and suffer severe losses
1t is said Lord Roberts has declined tc
permit the newspaper correspondents tc
send a complete report Of the situation:
therefore many details are lacking.
TIE oT.AITGuVPp CATDrn