Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-02-20
HAVE cRoNJE coKSERED.
Reported That the Boer Commander
md His Troops Are Surrounded.


and His Troops Are Surrounded.
London, Feb. 2O.-3:45 a. m.-A men,
ber of the cabinet told II. w. Lucy that
the war Office had received Il telegram
announcing that Gen. Cronje Was hope
lessly surrounded. Mr.. Wyndham was
beset by anxious members of the house.
but would only reply that the goyern-
nents news was extremely satissac-
tory The sole explanation OF the gov
ernment's withholding good news is
that confirmation and more details are
awaited.
London Feb. 2o.--A rlmor was cur
rent in The house of commons last
night that Gen. Cronjes army lad been
surrounded Gen. Franch having got
between the Boer force and Bloemfon-
fain and that reinforcements We're be-
ing awaited before closing in upon the
enemy In the lobbies gossip was live
ly. Everywhere that members could
find telegraphic Intelligence from the
seat of war they We're gathered IN
groups. AS the hours passed there
seemed to be coming in u stream of
cheering news. of which. however, no
official confirmation was obta.napi
to a late hour this morning
1t was vaguely stated that the war
office was in possession OF some news
with which the government had reason
TO be we'll pleased, but that its issue
was delayed pending the arrival of con-
firrnation and further particulars, 1t IS
assumed that this message forms the
basis for the prevailing rumor. At the
war office at 5midnght II was an
nounced that there would be no further
news for publication.
While no further official news has
been received from Lord Roberts. dis
patches to the News and Chronicle de-
scribe the pursuit OF tir 1vtres.,.ls
Beers. 1t appears that no less thar
$4,000 men are chasing Cronje.
Lord Metiluen, it is reported. has en-
tered Kimberley without opposition
which would indicate, taken in connec-
ton with French's dash TO the east
ward. that the last trace of The Beers
south of Kimberley has vanished.
The morning Post states that private
information from IL trustworthy source
has reached England TO the effect thai
President Kruger is making prepara-
tions to retire to an old friend, one Drl
y Ericssen, in the German Damaraland
il the republican forces are beaten anc
he is forced to quit Pretoria.
Gen. Butler is prosecuting an effective
attack upon the Beers at Chieveley ane
has driven them across the Tngelf
river, capturing large quantities o
stores and ammunition, besides taxing
it is said, about 100 prisoners Gen
Butler attacked the Beers from thre,
sides with an artillery fire so deadl.
and so irresistibly that the Beers re
treated In clouds of dust.
1t is now believed that Gen. Bulle
will move steadily on to the raising o
the Boer investment of I4adysnith
The British public, indeed. will not b
surprised to hear of the relief of tn
town at any time. Dispatches hello
graphed from Ladysmith indicate tina
the British still see the Beers in thei
positions and apparently removing
their big guns. Gen. Sir Stuart Whit
believes they are on the point of liftini
the siege. The correspondents wit
Gen. Butler declare that while the roa
which the British must traverse I
reach Ladysmith is extremely difficult
yet the troops are in the proper spiri
to press on and pass over all opposi
tion. 1t is thought Gen. Butler is try
ing to seize Inhlawe mountain, and de
cisive developments are momentaril
expected in Natal
Close on the heels of the story of Ger
Buffers victory at Monte Cristo th
third of the positions he set himself t
capture, comes the announcement tina
Gen. Brabant has stormed Dordrecht i
advance of Gen. Gatacre's position an
has sent the Beers flying from thei
stronghold Brabants colonial troop
are now in possession of the town an
are preparing to push on in pursuit {
ths enemy. 1t is thought probable. how