Gilpin observer., 1900-03-01
CRONJE SURRENDERS.
BRITISH GET 1900 PRISONERS.
Boers Held Out Until Food and Ammun.
uon We're Gone-The Anniversary of
Majuba Hill


London, Feb. 27-9:57 a. m.-The
war office announces that Cronje has
surrendered his whole force uncondi-
tionally.
General Roberts dispatch reads as
follows:
"Paardeberg, Feb. 27.-7:45 a. H.
General Cronje and all of his force
capitulated Internationally at daylight
and is now prisoner in my camp. The
strength of his force will be cOmmun-
icated later.
Il hope that her majesty's govern
ment will consider this event satisfac-
tory. occurring as it does on the an
niversaFy of Majuba."
London. Feb. 2S.-Late this after
noon the war office published dis
patch from Roberts supplementing his
announcement of Cronie's surrender
and explaining how it was brought
about.
The dispatch. which is dated Paar-
deberg. February 2T, at 11:2O n. in., is
as follows: From information fur
nished by the intelligence department.
it became apparent that Cronjes force
was becoming very depressed; that
there was discomfort among his troops
and that discord among his leaders had
rapidly increased. That feeling was
doubtless accentuated by disappoint-
ment when the Boer reinforcements
which tried to relieve Cronje We're de-
feated. February 23rd.
Il resolved therefore to bring pres
sure to bear on the enemy. Each night
the trenches We're pushed forward to-
ward the enemy'S laager so as to grad
ually contract his position. At the same
time | bombarded it heavily with ar
tillery. which yesterday was materially
aided by the arrival of siX-inch howitz-
ers which | had ordered up from De
Aar.
"In carrying out these measure, a
captive balloon gave great assistance,
keeping us informed of the enemy's
dispositions and movements.
AT 3 a. III. to-day the Canadian regi-
ment and some engineers, supported by
the First Gordon Highlanders and Sec
ond Shropshires made most dashine
advance. which resulted in our gaining
a point 600 yards nearer the enemy and
within eighty yards of his trenches,
where our troops entrenched them
selves and maintained their position
until morning. 1t was gallant deed
worthy of our colonial comrades, which,
l am glad to say, was attended with
comparatively slight loss.
This apparently clnched matters,
for at daylight II letter signed by
Cronje. in which he stated he surren-
dered Internationally, was brought TO
our outposts under II flag of truce. My
reply told Cronje lie must present him
self in my camp and that his force
must come out of their laager after
laying down their arms.
AT n. IN. | received Cronje and dis
patched II telegram announcing the
fact. In the course of the conversation
with the Boer general, he asked for
kind treatment for his men at our
hands, and also that his wife, grand
son. private secretary, adjutant and
servants might accompany him wher-
ever he might be sent. | reaSsured him
and told him his request would be
complied with, and further Informed
him that a general officer would ac-
company him to Cape Town, to be sure
that he would be treated with proper
respect en- route.
"The prisoners number about 1900.
These will be formed into commandos,
under their own officers, and leave
here to-day. reaching Modder to-mor-
row. whence they will be taken 10
Cape Town in detachments."
1t is stated that the condition of af
fairs in the camp of the Beers was
something frightful They had run en-
tirely out of food. except trek cattle,
and these We're eaten as rapidly as
they were killed by. the British shells.
Their ammunition fad given out and
most of their artillery was badly dam
aged by the British fire. Most of their
wagons were burned. Everything pos
sible is being done TO alleviate the con
dition of the captives.
The news of Cronjc'S surrender
reached London during sudden
downpour of rain. and spread by word
of mouth almost before the extras ap-
peared Englishmen thawed at once.
Absolute strangers stopped in the
streets, shook hands and slapped each
other on the back. In the office build
ings some went down the corridors
hammering the doors and shouting the
glad tidings. Many rushed 10 telegraph
Offices while excited throngs blocked
windows and flags were run up every
where. \ stranger entering London
would NOT have known the town. The
usual staid Engllshman for the mo-
ment WAS insane with joy. Proceed
ings on the stock Exchange opened
with the singing of God Save the
Queen" and then the iubilant brokers
chcered Roberts, Kitchener and every
body connected with the war, again
and again.
London. Feb. 27.-Twenty-nincT Trans
vaal officers were captured and egh-
teen Free state officers We're made
prisoners
The guns captured from the Trans
vaal forces were three scventy-iiveccn cen
timer Krupps. one nine-poundcr and
one Maxim gun. From the Free Statcrs,
the British captured one seventy five
centimeter Krupp and one Maxim gun.
London. Feb. -. T:0I y. m.-The of.
ticers captured by General Roberts, be-
sides General I'lct cronje. include Lie
following VOL known l.nmmAnlcrs.