The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1900-02-21
WHERE is GEN. CRONJE?
Boer Conn ma nder's Whereabouts and
Intentions q Mystery.

London, Feb. 1.-THE first real sue
cess achieved by the British arms in
South Africa, in a war which has lasted
nearly five months, is received with great
joy mixed with some apprehension. The
willy and reSourceful Boer has many
tricks TO play and until there is a square
fight between French and CrOnje and the
latter is made to surrender, the public
will wait for additional developments.
There are many here who remember that
the enthusiastic confidence now in the
minds of the mass of the people accurate
~ reflects their own state of mind four
months ago. They never again will de-
spise the Beers, and they never will be-
lieve them conquered until all the world
knows that the conquest Of the allied re-
publics is fact.
Where is Gen. Crorje:
Full and complete as are Lord Roberts
official dispatches describing the British
movements, the important fact showing
where Gen. Cronje and his 10000 men
are is not contained in them. The COM
mander-in-chief says he has reason to
believe that the Magersfontein trenches
have been abandoned and that the Beers
are trying to escape, but if this is the
case it is strange thac no word comes
from Lord Methucn, who would move
forward upon the first sign of evacuation.
Gen. French, it appears, did not actually
enter Kimberley, but joined hands with
Col Kekewich at the deserted BOer po-
sition Of Acknowledgement and then con-
tinued his advance to the north of Kim
berley. where he is now sweeping the
country.
What Gen Cronje will do with his big
guns during the retreat which now seems
certain is a matter Of greater interest.
If they are mobile they may be carried
off by the Beers, if only semi-mobile, they
probably will fail into the hands OF the
British.
The news from the vicinity of Coles
berg is hardly reassuring. From the
boldness and energy the Beers have dis
played at Rensburg, it appears that they
must have designs on Lord Roberts COM
munication with De Aar junction. They
hardly can hope for success, with Gen.
Clements to the south and Col. Hanney at
S0utSpans drift, to the north. to resist
dash to the Westward but there is little
question in the minds of the experts that
there will be sharp fighting before the
country to the rear of Lord Roberts col
umn is cleared.
AS for the force still opposed to Gen.
Roberts main column, it is reported that
there remains in the range of hills facing
the Modder river camp between 1000 and
10000 Beers whom the field marshal has
outflanked. The remainder are reported
to have gone to reinforce other cOmman-
dosn various localities unknown.
Money for the War.
London, Feb. 17.-The House of Com
mons passed the supplementary army es-
Inmates, E13, 100000, by 213 votes against
80. The vote was carried under the clos
ure and amid violent protests from the
Irish benches against its application,
while several amendments were under
consideration. During the debate the
government leader, Mr.. Balfour, denied
that the government projected compul-
sorry service.
Two Companies of Wiltshire Lost.
A correspondent of the Mail at Nauuw-
poort telegraphing Wednesday and de-
scribing the evacuation OF RenSburg
says: 1.-TWO companies Of the Wiltshire
regiment in withdrawing from Kloof
camp, lost their way and are missing.
Their wherea bouts, however, are pretty
we'll known, and they will probably be
relieved tonight The Boer losses around
Colesburrg on Monday are reported ex-
Pretoria, tuesday, Feb. ia smart
rifle and artillery duel took place at
Mafeking, February r. There was no
Boer loss. The British attacked Fort
Eloff, south of Caberones, at daybreak,
February u, but the Johannesburg men
under Vondelwig, forced the British to
retire, leaving six dead and four wound
ed on the field, Capt. Friend was among
the killed. The Beers suffered no casual
ties.