The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1900-03-03
1T CAUSES MUCH JOY.
Great Britain Jubilant Over Lord
Roberts Victory.
Belief That Cronjc's Capitulation
Will Not Cause Trnnsvanlers to
Discontinue FiEhting-Roberts
Cables Story of Surrender.

London, Feb. 2S.-From John O.
Greats to Landsend there has been
cheering for the queen and univer-
sal singing of the national anthem.
This with mutual congratulations is
the Briton's way of celebrating the
most cheerful day of the war. AL
ready he is taking stock of the situa-
ton and measuring the future. There
is no disposition to overestimate the
success. The government entertains
no illusion. AS announced in the
house of commons. 10000 additional
troops will Immediately go out and
the effective force will be kept near
100000. Lord Roberts has done more
than to capture 1000 Beers and few
guns. He is within striking distance
of one of the Boer capitals and is mas
ter of a large district of the Free
State. He has given shock to Boer
confidence and UNNECESSARILY restored
the spirit of his own troops. In cap
turing Cronje he has taken leader
whose presence alone was worth thou
sands to the Boer cause. The best
opinion here is that the Transvaalers
are certain to continue the fight with
undiminishcd valor. but it is not SO
certain about the Free Staters.
Dispatch from Roberts.
The war Office has received the fol-
lowing dispatch from Lord Roberts:
"Paardeberg, II O'Clock Tuesday morning.
From information furnished daily to me
by the intelligence department. 1t became
~. u.
coming more depressed and that the dis
content of the troops and the dscord
among the leaders We're rapidly increasing.
This feeling was doubtless accentuated by
the disappointment caused when the Boer
requirements which tried to relieve Gen.
Cronje were defeated by our troops on
February 90. l resolved, therefore, to bring
pressure 10 bear upon enemy. Each night
the trenches We're pushed forward toward
the enemy's laager so as to graduallE'con-
tract his position and at the same time it
bombarded it heavily with artillery, which
was yesterday materially aided by the ar
rival of four siX-inch howitzers which
had ordered up from De Aar
I'm carrying out these measures cap
tive balloon gave great assistance by keep
Ing US informed OF the dispositions and
movements of the enemy. At three a. M.
to-day most dashing advance was made
by the Canadian regiment and some en-
gineers, supported by the First Gordon
highlanders and Second Shropshires. re-
sulting in our gaining a point some 600
yards nearer the enemy and within about
so yards of his trenches, where our men
entrenched themselves and maintained
their positions till morning. a gallant deed
worthy of our colonial comrades and
which, am glad to say, was attended by
comparatively slight loss.
This apparently clinched matters, for
at daylight to-day, letter signed by Gen.
Cronje, in which he stated that he sur
rendered Internationally, was brought 10
our outposts under Il flag of truce.
I'm my reply told Gen. Cronje he must
present himself at my camp and that his
forces must come out Of their laager Il fter
laying down their arms. BY seven Il. M. l
received Gen. Cronje and dispatched tee-
gram to you announcing the fact. In the
course Of conversation he asked for kind
treatment at our hands and also that his
wife, grandson, private secretary, adjutant
and servants might accompany him wher-
ever he might be sent.
Il treasured him and told him his request
would be complied with. ! informed him
that general officer would be sent with
him TO Cape Town. to insure his being
treated with proper respect en- route. He
will start this afternoon under charge of
Maj. Gen. Prettynan, who will hand him
over to the general commanding at Cape
Town.
THE prisoners, who number about 5000,
will be formed into commandos under our
own officers. They will also reach here to-
day, reaching the Moduer river tomorrow.
when they will be rallied TO Cape Town in
detachmentS."
The above dispatch was read in both
the house of lords and the house OF
commons Tuesday. The reference to
the canadians evoked immense and pro-
longed cheering.