The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-02-23

work OF Entire reuchinE by ShrapheA-
LONDON. Feb. "a despatch to the
Times from Lourenco Marques, Of yes
terday's date. says: six thousand Beers
have been sent from Ladysmith to Bloem-
foutein.." despatch from Ladysmith,
February p, which was photographed via
Weenen. says: "Our pickets have cap
tured three armed Germans, who are
supposed to be Intelligence Department
men. One had an ambulance certificate,
and wore a hospital band. The lombard
ment on February p was very active"
A despatch from Cheveley Camp, dated
Wednesday. says: The Boer laagers near
Ladysmth are plainly visible It is i'm
possible to say. owing to the broken
ground. whether the Beers have fallen
back. It is quite possible that they oc-
cupy the heights behind the Colenso po-
sition. as several guns are shelling us
now
A correspondent Of the Central News.
in whiting OF the third days battle at
Paardeberg Drift sends the following:
To-day was the third day Of General
Cronje's imprisonment and grim resist
ance Early this morning the infantry en-
gagged the enemy in the bed Of the river,
driving him back a short distance. The
morning sun disclosed the Beers toiling
like arts on enJrenchments around their
laager. A few shells were fred TO prevent
them from continuing the work, but most
Of the day was quiet.
General Frenchs artillery was heard
off to the east, presumably engaging the
Boer endorsements.
Every opportunity was given the Beers
to surrender, but when toward afternoon
there was no sign Of any s..ch intention
Lord Roberts determined to crush. once
and for all General Cronje's resistance.
On the south bank Of the river, at a range
Of about 1000 yards. three field batteries
and two naval l9-pounders were position
ed On the north bank. and cnflading the
whole river. one howitzer. three field bat
teries and three naval A. guns were
placed.
Then followed the most wonderful scene
it was ever my lot to witness. Once be
fore. in Thessaly. I had seen 10 guns in
action, but never such number OF pow
crful guns concentrating their fire upon a
spot about a mile square. The exploding
Iyddite shells raised clouds Of green smoke
completely filiug the bed Of the river.
The shrapnel burst on the edge + each
bank except for a short space where the
proximity OF the British infantry made it
dangerous Our shells searched every hush
and every rayine Of the river bed. The en-
flading guns must have done terrible exc
a spirit OF desperate madness now and
again the Beers would attempt to snipe the
British gunners which were firing at
range of Loco yards.
The long line OF three batteries belched
forth death. while on each side lay TWO
battalions OF infantry whose Maxims
sounded petty beside the roaring big guns.
What loss the Beers suffered is not known
yet l am writing in the middle OF a sleep
ing camp. Not a sound dstur6s the
heavy slumber Of the tired soldiers Down
the river-bed not a fire is seen. not a CRY
heard.
There is something tragic in the stern
resistance which General Crouje is hope
lessly offering. It is impossible not 10 ad-
mire his pluck. but all condemn the wick
edness Of uselessIy sacrificing the lives OF
his brave followers"
A news agency despatcA from Faarde-
berg. dated February 20. says: Firing
ceased Sunday at nightfau. Both sides
were very tired and glad Of a chance TO
rest. The men slept where they fcIght.
"Ali day the Highland Brigade fought
steadily and sternly, and although the men
were much worn out by evening the cor
don had been completed and every outlet
closed After nightfaH perfect silence
prevailed. a few Beers came into the
British camp. They confessed they were
sick Of fighting and had been urging
CrOnje TO surrender.
"The men suffered terribly from thirst
during the fighting but it was impossible
to supply them with water. General Wee
tor Macdonald was wounded in the foo>
but not severely.
Monday morning found the enemy in
the same place. During the night, they
had constructed entertainments around
their laager, which was still threatened
Colonel Smythe-D DOrrien's force OF in
fantry rested after Sundays terribly hard
work. but the mounted infantry and a
serve the enemys position. good de-
fensiye position on a kopje was seized and
garrisoned and the remainder Of the force
continued the movement and completely
surrounded the enemys position on the
right which was a farm house strongly
held. The force returned TO camp at
nightfall. leaving garrison on the ridge.
Lord Roberts arrived later and ad-
dressed the troops who cheercd him en-
Enthusiastically. Today CTuesday) the in
fantry engaged the Beers in the bed Of the
river, driving them back a short distance.
Cecil Rhodes to Preside.
CAPE TOWN, Feb 23.-Mr. Cecil
Rhodes will preside at the meeting of the
De Beers Mining Company tomorrow.
Victoria 10 Visit the wounded.
LONDON, Feb. 23.-The Queen will visit
Hhn nuf#T IL. a.