Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-02-22

received telegram announcing that
Gen. Cronje is hopele:sly surrounded.
Mr. Wyndham was beset by anxious
members of the house, but would only
reply that the governments news was
extremely satisfactory. The sole ex-
PLANTATION of the government with
holding the good news is that confir-
nation of more details are awaited
The situation as disclosed by cores
p0nderts over the Free State border is
rantaliZing to public expectations. The
elementary facts are that the beers are
trekking eastward toward Bloemfon-
TEN. with slow moving baggage trains,
and that they are pursued by Lord
Kitchener with Gen Kelly-Kenny's di-
vision. Gen. Macdonald with high
Ianders made a forced march to Koo-
doosrand ford, and on Sunday pushed
20 miles eastward. Gen. French left
Kimberley Saturday. going east along
the Modder river Lord Kitchener is
trying to outmarch and Outfiank the
beers. thus checking their re-
treat, and if possible driving
them back into the hands of
Macdonald and French. The war Of
flee message seems to indicate that
Lord Kitchener has either got ahead of
the beers or is about to realize his plan,
and it waits to announce the decisive
blow. Meanwhile commandment De-
Iarey, with beers from ColeSberg, Is
hanging on to the right flank OF the
British pursuing columns, seeking to
delay their movement and so assist the
boer wagon trains to escape. Students
OF topography think the beers Will
hardly risk a fight until they get into
rough country. The Daily Mail cor
respondent who was with the British
convoy attacked by beers at Riet river
fOFU wares. llIlIldlGlN inc ID lll0al
abandoned the convoy. in order not to
check the advance. Thus 200 wagons,
and GOO tons Of stores fall into the
hands of the beers, though it is dOub,-
fuI If they win be able to carry them
away" Gen Butler has achieved real
success seemingly in capturing the
range of hills south of the Iugela. 1t
makes more feasible another attempt
10 relieve Ladysmith. rhe queen has
sent a direct message to Lord Roberts
congratulating him and the troops.
Gen. French and Col. Kekewich have
ben made acquainted with their pro-
motions Dr. Leyds, at Brussels, says
the Free State troops who were besieg-
ing LadySmith, have withdrawn in or
der TO defend their homes. In this wy
he accounts for Buffers success against
the Weakened forces. He will foregO
his projected trip to Rome, he says,
because of the decisive events now TAX
ing place in the theater of war Lord
Roberts generalship was conducted
with such secrecy, says telegram
from MOdder river. that even the senior
sfficers who took the sixth division
thTugh the preliminaries of operation
did not know what they finally had to
40
Butler Takes a Hill
Chieyeley, Feb. pa correspondent
wires: We now occupy all the hills
- 10 oh Of SnI FL Of
the Tugela, including Hlangwane
which the beers evacuated last night
sunday This capture of Hlangwane
hill is of great strategical Importance,
as II commands the flank of the bOer
detenseS at Colenso. Successful ad-
vance and recapture of the railway
may be expected. 1t is reported that
large numbers of Free Staters left to
meet Lord Roberts force 1t is be-
ieved that number of the beers big
suns have been taken back the border. -
Boer Lines Broken.
ehieveley, Feb. 2O-The beers line
OF fortresses is broken. The British
have achieved decided success N
capturing the enemys position on
Monte Christie. The beers, however
effectively executed a retreat, remov-
ing their guns and convoy of wagons
me British had comparatively few
casualties
Look For Big Battle
London, Feb pa dispatch to thu
Daily Mail, from Lorenzo Marque:
Monday says: According to advice:
from Pretoria, the beers are expecting
big battle on the Tugela. They CLAIM
that 20 Wiltshires were killed at Coles
berg and that 80 wagons with forag
and provisions were captured, but NJ
ammunition. They thus describe tn
fighting at Kimberley: The British
came through Blaunbank and attacke
two columns. While the beers wer
busily engaged with Lord Roberts
Gen. French, with 1000 cavalry and 81
guns succeeded in breaking throug
the boer lines. The beers did not SCI
iously oppose F'rench'S advance, bu
confined their efforts to preventing pro
visions getting through. In this the
lo.I