The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1900-02-26
No nOPB FOR CRoNyE
He Cannot Possibly Escape From
His British Foes.
he Is ANXIOUS TO SURRENDER,


From the TrnnsvaaI-He Rejects
General Roberts Offer to Escort
Women aud Children Out of Danger
London. Feb. ga dispatch from
Paardeberg, Orange Free State. dated
Saturday, says: General Cronjes po-
sltion is more hopeless than ever. Our
guns dominate the sloping aseents
from the river on all sides, and by the
rush of the Shropshires on Wednesday
night up the river bed the Beers lost
200 yards space in their cover.
Deserters say the British fire has
been very deadly and firm, that Gem
eraI Cronje himself Is willing to sur
render, but Is overborne BY the young
Beers from the Transyaal.
There are women and children with
the Boer force. General Roberts pro-
posed to let them pass out of danger,
but this suggestion. as well as the prof
fer of medical aid, has been rejected.
The kopje captured by the British
last Wednesday, when so prisoners
were taken, is most important
strategical position. Its possession
should enable us to repulse any boer
reinforcements from the eastward.
Another dispatch, dated Wednesday
last, says The fourth day Of General
Cronje's fine defense opened in start
ling fashion. Soon after dawn a most
terrific rattle of rife fire broke out.
waking the sleeping camp. It was the
heaviest fire during the war, and all
awaited with foreboding the news of
its effect.
1t soon developed that the Glouces-
ters and Essexes had lost their way
and had bivouacked, in error, close to
the Boer lager on the north side of
the river. As soon as they were per-
ceived by the enemy the letter fusil-
laded. Wonderful to tell, the British
casualties were practically none.
There was desultory firing all day
long on both the north and south
banks, General Knox's brigade holding
and pushing forward the line south Of
the river, while General Smith-Dor-
rien. on the north side, worked toward
the lager. Meanwhile General French
advanced. in far easterly direction,
near kopje held by strong force of
Cronje's men, reinforced by Lady,
smith contingent. At the same time
General Broadwood's brigade, with a
battery Of horse artillery, took up po-
sitions to the left and rear of the same
kopje.
The front of the hill was thorough
ly searched by raking fire Suddenly
the Beers bolted from every side to-
ward General French, who headed to-
ward the drift, Smelling vigorously. A
great number escaped, but many were
killed by shrapnel, and about 40 were
captured.
Our first contact with the Ladysmith
Beers was unfortunate for them. A
great deal Of forage, provisions and
equipment was captured, and the kopje
was frequently dotted with blood,
showing that many wounded had been
removed. The Boer method Of remov-
Ing their dead is to tie a couple of reins
to the body. which is thus dragged off
by two lorsemen at full gallop.
The scene of the last five days tight
ing is one Of the prettiest spots in
South Africa. The river, at the point
where General Cronje is enscOnced and
for life, resembles some parts
of the Hudson river, the ground all
around sloping toward the stream. All
the highlands are covered by British
artillery. Cronje is faced in the front
and rear from both banks by the Brit
ish, while General Frenchs horse, far
away on the TANKS, prevents a sudden
thrush of Beers.
Lord Roberts has sent the following
additional adyices to the war office,
dated Saturday afternoon: "Methuen
reports that Barkly West was occupied
by our troops on Feb. %. The loyal
inhabitants displayed great enthusi-
asm. The country west Of the railway
from Cape Town to Kimberley is grad
lally settling down. A detachment has
started from De Aar for Britstown,
and Douglas and Prieska will shortly
be visited by onr troops. Methuen's
account Of the admirable manner in
which the Kimberley hospital is man
lged made one desire to send some of
our sick and wounded there"
A reconnaissance on Saturday in
'orce under General Gatacre, with
light guns, found the Beers occupying
| ridge three miles beyond Molteno.
n the Stormberg direction. Mont
scouts charged the Beers,
Who crept round the scouts flank,
pouring in deadly fire. The scouts
we're finally compelled to retire, hav-
ng lost heavily. Fourteen are miss
ng. Captain Montmorency was kill
I'd. He was a wearer of the Victoria