Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1900-03-02

London, Eng, (By Gable. )--One of the
most important crises of the South African
War is On. The latest developments are as
| follows:
Gen. P. A. Cronje, with Boer army estl-
mated at 5000 men, has made determined
stand at Paardeberg drift, in the Orange
Free State, 40 miles east OF the Cape Colony
border.
force of Beers from Ladysmith, reported
to be under command OF Gen. Hans Botha,
has arrived to reinforce General Cronje.
This force was attacked and scattered by
Lord Roberts, the British COMMANDMENTS
chief.
General Butler continues to advance on
Ladysmith, Natal, but is meeting unexpect-
eddy strong resistance from considerable
forces OF Beers who remain in that vicinity.
The bombardment of Ladysmith was heavy
up to Monday the date OF the last advices
from that place.
The most startling incident of the general
situation is an exploit by Cronje upon which
the British censored dispatches bestow high
praise. With his comparatively small force
he was attacked last Sunday by the entire
army of Lord Roberts, estimated to have
numbered $1,000 men, and he repulsed the
attack in what is described as zone OF the
costliest actions Of the war"
Cronje's army took up very strong posi-
ton in the bed Of the Modder River at Paar-
deberg drift. A detachment of his force held
also kopje, or hill, some little distance from
the river and parallel with it. On both sides
OF the river there is a broad, level plain
whi0h ha hx, hn IF tho
Beers, who use the river banks as breast.
works. The British infantry could not there
fore approach the Boer position safeIy with
in a distance OF mile and half, but the
British artillery could take positions out OF
the range of the Boer Mausers and shell the
river bed
Lord Roberts decided upon an assault with
infantry, which met a bloody repuise. On
Monday aud Tuesday he shelled CroDjes
position. He made reconnaissance in force
Tuesday afternoon, which convinced him
that he could not take the Boer position
without every heavy loss" Lord Roberts
therefore decided not to attack with his in
fantry again, but TO use his cannon upon the
Beers shut up in the river bed, while using
infantry and cavalry against the Boer rein
forcement that arrived from Ladysmith and
other places.
Should Boer reinforcements pour in upon
him in great numbers-as is likely--General
Roberts, while besieging Cronie, may find
himself besieged. Meanwhile, Cronjes army,
shut up In a cramped position, suffers q loss
of men and material from the incessant in.
pour Of British missiles. Want OF food may
perhaps limit the period through which re-
sistance can be continued. Boer pluck is,
however, indomitable, and there can be no
doubt that Cronje will hold out while hie
men can handle their rifles. II they can hold
out some days longer, they have q fair
chance of being relieved by the armies oil
their compatriots that are focking from all
sides to aid them.
CroDje asked an armstice Of "a hours to
allow him to bury his dead. Lord Kitchener,
acting for Lord Roberts, refused saying that
the Boer leader must fight to finish or sur
render Internationally. Cronjes final an.
swer was that he would fight to the death.
The total British loss in Sundays baltic
with Cronje is not known. but partial lists
indicate that it was fully 700. The official
Boer account of the battle states that the
Boer loss in the main fight was one killed
and one wounded. 1t also states that two
were killed and four wounded in another
fight in the same vicinity. A British press
dispatch from Paardeberg states that 1.-The
Beers confessed to a loss Of over 800 men,"