The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1900-03-01
ROBERTS, VICTORY.
Surrender of Gen. Cronje Causes
Joy in Great Britain.
LORD ROBERTS SENDS FULL ACCOUNT
The Boer Commander and His Force
OF 1900 Men Lay Down Their
Arms-Cronje Is Sent to
Cape Town.

London, Feb. 2s.-From John o.
Groats to LandseDd 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 oyerestimate the
success. The government entertains
no illusion. As announced in the
house of commons, 10000 additional
troops win Immediately go out and
the effective force win 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 a shock to Boer
confidence and UNNECESSARILY restored
the spirit of his own troops. In cap
turing Cronje he has taken a 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
undiminished valor, but it is not SO
certain about the Free Staters.
Splendid Bravery of Enemy.
While the afternoon papers all COM
ment upon this happy coineident, they
do not forget the splendid bravery of
the enemy. The st. James Gazette
says:
THE splendid courage Of the Beers has
not been able to withstand any longer the
bombardment which few modern soldiers
could have supported for so many hours
as they have days. The influence Of the
surrender not only upon the situation at
Iadysnith, bat on the whole conduct Of the
war viii be immense.
IF the news OF the relief of Ladysmith
only reaches England, and II is quite pos
sible this may be the case, the cup of ma
ticnal happiness would be full
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, it became
apparent that Gen. Cronje's force was be-
coming more depressed and that the dis
content Of the troops and the dlscord
among the leaders were rapidly increasing.
This feeling was doubtless accentuated by
the disappointment caused when the Boer
reenforcements which tried to relieve Gen.
Cronje were defeated by our troops on
February 22 resolved, therefore, to bring
pressure 10 bear upon enemy. Each night
the trenches were pushed forward toward
the enemy's lager so as to gradually con-
tract his position, and at the same time It
bombarded Il heavily with artillery, which
was yesterday materially aided by the ar
n hnxUifZare TUh Il
had ordered up from De Aar.
Good Work of Captive Balloon.
"In carrying out these measures a 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-
highlanders and Second Shropshires. re-
sulting In our gaining point some 60
yards nearer the enemy and within about
so yards Of his trenches, where our men
entrenehed themselves and maintained
their positions till orning a gallant deed
worthy OF our colonial comrades and
which, am glad to say. was attended by
comparatively slight loss.
Offers to Surrender.
"This apparently clinched matters, for
at daylight to-day, a letter signed by Gen. |
Cronje, in which he stated that he sur
rendered Internationally, was brought 10
our outposts under 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 lager after
laying down their arms. BY seven a. m / |
received Gen. CronJe and dispatched a TeIe-
gram TO you announcing the fact. In thel
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.
To he Sent to Cape Town.
Il treasured him and told him his request
would be complied with. informed him
that a general officer would be sent with
him 10 Cape Town, to insure his being
treated with proper respect en- route. He
viii start this afternoon under charge OF
Mai Gen. Prettyman. who will hand him
over to the general commanding at Cape
Town.
1.-THE prisoners, who number about $780,
will be formed into commandos under our
own officers. They will also reach here to-