Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-02-23
tBy Telegraph TO virginian-pilot.)

tBy Telegraph TO Virginian- Pilot)
London. Feb. 23.-i a. m.-General
Cronje is seemingly making his last
stand. lie is dying hard, hemmed in by
British infantry, and with shells from
sixty guns falling into his camp.
On the third day of the fight the Boer
chief asked for an armisticc To bury his
dead Fight To finish or surrender
Internationally" was Lord Kitchcners
reply. General Cronjc Immediately sent
back word that his request for IL truce
had been misunderstood, and that his
determination then, as before, was to
light to the death. The battle went on.
This was khc situation of General
Cronjc Tuesday evening, as sllctchcd
in the scnnty kilograms that have
emerged from the Scmi-S silence OF South
Africa.
Officially Lord Roberts wired that he
has scattered the advance commanders
of the reinforcements that were strv-
ing to reach Cronjc II is regarded MS
singular that lord Roberts, wiring
Wednesday, should not mention the ap-
peal for an arniSticc on the previous
day. and also that the War Office
should withhold good news, il il has
any.
Without trying to reconcile even the
scanty materials at hand, it, seems
plain hat General Cronje is in n bad
and even desperate situation, ana
that the British are pressing their adj
vantage.
While the attack on Cronie proceeds.
there is a race for concentration be-
tween the Beers and the British
Beers DRAWING; TOGETHER.
The engagement with General
Cronje's five to eight thousand en-
trenched men is likely 10 become an In
Thc separated factions Of tho Eoer
power are rapidly drawing together to
attack Lord Roberts.
VIII General Cronjc be able to hold
out until the Boer masses appear, or ii
he does Will they then be able to sue
cor him? The British are facing the
Boers on ground where the arms, tac-
ties and training of the British are ex-
pccted to give them the advantage
BoERS REINFORCED.
General Butler, according 10 a dis
patch from Chievcley, dated Wcdnes-
day, finds the Beers in positions north
OF the Tugela largely reinforced. This
seems strange.
The War Office, for the first time, has
given out an official compilation OF the
British losses. The total is ll.20S to
February II. This does not include,
therefore. Lord Roberts recent losses,
nor the Wiltshircs prisoners
The Press Association learns that the
British losses at koOdoosrand were 700.
Three thousand fresh troops will en-
bark for South Africa to-day.
The relative position OF the combat
ants is lkcned 10 chess players. one of
whom, from time to time. adds pieces
To the board while any loss to the adj
vcrsary is irreplacable
BOETiS EXPELLED.
London, Feb. 2S.-Thc Times has the
following from Paardcberg. dated Feb
ruary 2l:
I'VE haze expelled five hundred Beers
from an isolated lopjc about q mile
southeast of General Cronje's lager"
Chievcley Camp, Natal. Feb 2l.--Thc
steady progress of the relief column is
uninterrupted. The Beers, Tuesday.
were forced from their last position
south OF Tugela, resulting in the cvac
uatlon of Colcnso. which was PROMPTLY
re-occupied by the Dublin Fusilicrs and
Thorncycroft Horse. ~ Transvaai
flag was captured. rs was n handker-
chief inscribed with General Bothas
name. This is treasured as Il great
trophy.
The Beers heavily shelled Hlangwana
Hill and Colenzo Wednesday. February
II, and the British advanced infantry
was subjected to II severe musketry
fire hut they had excellent cover and
the casualties we're few.
The Beers had The railroad running
from Colenso to Bulwana.
The British continue to discover large
quantities of ammunition.
The Beers are well supplied with food
and quantity of provisions was left
behind.
1t is expected that further resistance
Will be half-hearted. ana that Lady
smith will be reached in a few days.
VISIBLE FROM LADYSAIITH.
London. Feb 22.-Thc Morning Posts
second edition publishes "a dispatch
from Ladysmith. dated February 49,
which says that the bombardmcnt con-
tinues with unusual persstency and
activity from Bulwano and Blaauw-
bank, but is doing small damage.
The garrison is in good spirits over
General Roberts success, and the adj