The Leon reporter., 1900-03-01
GEN. CRoNJE.

GEN. CRONJE.
ser bullets. The nickel case is slit into
four, making the propectile of the most
expansive and most explosive nature
possible. A wounded Boer was brought
to our hospital yesterday with sixty
of these bullets in his pockets.
During the advance to and at
Kimberley there were the following
casualties: Eight men and two OFF,
GERS killed, eleven officers and thirty
two men wounded, and one officer and
fortytwo men not accounted for.
Further reports state that Barkly
West was occupied by our troops on
Feb. %. The loyal Inhabitants dis
played great enthusiasm. The country
west of the Cape Town-Kimberley rail-
way is gradually settling down. A de-
tachment has started from De Aar for
Britstown. Douglas and Prieska will
shortly be visited by our troops:
Gen. Methuen's account Of the ad-
mirable manner In which the Kimber-
ley hospital is managed has made mo
desire to send some Of our sick and
wounded there"
Although the dispatch which Gen.
Roberts sent to the war Office under
date OF Saturday makes no mention OF
Commandant Cronje, it is assumed that
the indomitable Boer leader is still
holding out. Little credence is placed
in the statements Of Boer deserters
that Commandant Cronje is personally
willing to surrender, but the young
Transvaal Boe.sss will not allow him to
do SO. ]. B. Robinson, South AZ
rican millionaire, who knows Com
nandant Cronje well, declares that the
statements are absurd. He says he be-
lieves If his men support him Com
mandant Cronje can hold out for long
time
The position he holds is we'll fitted
for defense Caves can be easily made
in the steep banks of the river, while
shelter trenches will protect the men
absolutely unless shell happens to
fall right into a trench.
It seems certain, however, that Gen.
Roberts is steadily tightening his grip
and. ever getting closer round the
doomed army, but as the critics here
point out, every days delay in Gen,
Roberts advance through the Orange
Free State is day gained for the be-
siegers OF Ladysmith. Therefore, Com
mandant Cronje's gallantry is not
without a good object.
The presence of women and children
adds to the horror Of the position, and
the fact that these nom n-combatants are
in the Boer laager is also thought to
have Influenced Gen. Roberts. Com
mandant Cronjs's refusal to accept safe
conduct for; these is considered here to
be barbarous.
Mr.. Robinson, however, declares that
the Boer women are bolder and more
courageous than even the men, and
that they possibly refuse to leave their
husbands He says that Commandant
Cronje's wife will certainly not aban-
don him.
AS regards the other campaigns the
dispatch from your correspondent at
Colenso camp covers the latest point
known. It is. evident that the Beers
who are blocking Gen. Buffers ad-
vance are displaying the utmost cour-
age and tenacity. and that they are
occupying their positions in consider
able numbers. Several correspondents
state that they have received re-en-
4 forcements.
Kimberley, Feb. Fifty-five thou
sand persons, of which number $4,000
were whites. lived in Kimberley dur
! ing. the siege. Ten thousand Kaf1rs
\ escaped from the town before it was
relieved. Champagne can now be
bought, but there is no milk to be had
i There are very few signs Of privation,
1 but many families are leaving.