Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1900-03-02
GORDON DRAWING CLOSER
British Wise Holds Cronje in Its
Grasp, While Succor Is Persist
entity Beaten Back.
Beers ALSO SHORT OF AMMUNITION.
Roberts Sesms to BE Playing q Waiting
Game, But BurEhers Have Plenty of
FOOd-Feeling of CONSERVATION at Pre-
tOris-YOung Men Are said to Be Pre-
venting Cronje's Surrender.

London, Feb. Elf the latest dis
patches from Paardeberg throw any
light on the situation they show that
Gen. Cronje's forces have far more
protection from Lord Roberts heavy
fire than the first dispatches indi-
Gated. 4 special dispatch from Paar-
deberg says:
"a balloon has discovered the enc
my well covered by system of bur
rowing in the river bank, which re-
sembles n rabbit-warren and affords
shell-proof positions
This perhaps more than any other
circumstance explains why, what is
looked upon here as Gen. Cronje's
death struggle, is prolonged. Thus it
will not be much of a surprise if to-
morrow, which is the anniversary of
Majuba hill, passes without being
marked by the surrender or annihila-
ton of the gallant band so over
whelming Shemmed in, though the
closeness of the investment appears
open to criticism.
AS Gen. Cronje is reported to have
plenty of food the plan of starving
him out can scarcely avail, so Lord
Roberts must either wait until his
ammunition, which is said to be short,
runs out. or those of Gen. Cronje's
forces who are counselling surrender
prevail. So indefinite is the informa-
ton that either of these alternatives
may occur at any moment. In the
meanwhile, Lord Roberts engineers
are sapping steadily towards the Boer
lager, and, according to a special
from Paardeberg dated Sunday, Feb
ruary %, the Gordon is gradually
drawing closer.
Gen. Buffers march on Ladysmith
is being marked by sharp fighting.
A Pietermaritzburg dispatch says he
is still heavily engaged in fighting. In
Groebeler's kroef Gen. Butler seems
to have discovered hornets nest In
Cape Colony the British arms are
steadily advancing. Barley East is
now in their possession, according to
a dispatch from that district, the
Beers evacuating the place, retreating
on Lady Grey and wiring President
Steyn for reinforcements to prevent
their surrender.
A dispatch from Kimberley says it's
Inhabitants have planned to erect
statue to Cecil Rhodes, in recognition
of his services during the siege.
Lord Roberts has already captured
over 500 Beers, and at this rate he
will soon have quite a respectable ar
ray of prisoners to hold as hostage
for the 5000 British already in Pre-
toria.
CONSERVATION at Pretoria.
Lourenzo MARQUEE, Feb. 27-The
latest trustworthy information from
Pretoria shows that the feeling in of
fetal circles is bordering on conster-
nation. Gen. Louis Botha telegraphed
from Colenso that the Boer army was
knocked out and impossible to main
tain defense much longer, advising
Kruger to sue for peace. Cronje's po-
sltion is regarded at Bloemfontein as
hopeless.
Young Beers Against Surrender.
Paardeberg, Feb. 27.--Gen Cronie's
position is more hopeless than ever.
Our guns dominate the sloping as
cents from the river on all sides, and
by the rush of the Shropshires up the
river bed the Beers lost 200 yards of
space in their cover Deserters saw
the British fire has been very deadly
and affirm that Gen. Cronje himself
is willing to surrender, but is over
borne by the young Beers from the
TranSvaaI.