Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-02-21
And Will Probably Raise
the Siege of LadySmith.
CHASE OF GEN. CRNNJE
Nothing Has Been Heard During the
Past Two DayS-It is Believed the
War Office is Holding Back Good
Information.

London, Feb. 81. AIS a. m.-Ihe BoerS
are leaving all the positions held by them
on British territory and are concentrat-
ing for the defense Of their own. Sir Reo-
vers Butler thins they are about to raise
the siege of L%adysmith and this is the
large news of the day.
General Clements reports that the force
confronting him has been greatly dimin-
ished. Ten thousand men are
to have gone from the Colesburg district
alone. The Beers are also retracing their
steps from Zululand. Thus they are re-
taxing their hold on all sides in order to
assemble to oppose Lord Roberts. He is
pressing on steadily towards Bloemfon-
TEN. This is shown by his inconseQuen-
tial telegram from P~aardeberg, so or SO
miles away. Doubtless he is miles behind
the column that is pursuing the Beers
and the next important news may be the
occupation of Bloen,fon1eln.
Nothing has been heard from the chase
of Cronje for two days. Although the
last words of the war office tonight were
that there was no news for publication,
there is a strong disposition to believe
that favorable information has been re-
ceived, but is being withheld until the
operations eliminate in something more
conclusive. There IS an equally strong
disposition to think that General Cronje
has got away.
Owing to the lack o transports the Brit
ish are not likely to invade Boer territory
except where Lord Roberts is operating.
General Butler will have to stop at the
Drakensberg mountains. Probably a part
Of his 10000 men will ultimately join the
legions of Lord Roberts.
If, as General Butler AYERS the Beers
are retreating from him then the news on
every side is favorable to the British.
Nevertheless, troops continue to go up.
The war office thinks that the call to vet
Grams to rejoin the colors, together with
the. bounty. will bring 5000 men to the
home defense. The urgency with which
home defense is pressed excites some
wonder.
With the casualties just reported the
British losses in wounded, killed and cap
tured are now 11.102.
London. Feb. Ala correspondent OF
the Daily Chronicle telegraphing sum
day, thus describes General Cronjeis re-
treat with the Beers at M~abersfontein,
on learning. Of General FFench's success:
o Thursday at midnight, headed by
General Cronje, 5000 Beers, with their
heavy gums and OK wagons, evacuated
the Magersfontein lines. Alt dawn on
Friday, the retreating Boer army was
seen from the British naval guns sta
tion on Kloop drift, trekking east
ward across the British front, at a
distance of 5000 yards. Our guns oIaned
upon them and a force of ounte infan-
try crossing the river, made a dasains
charge IN the attempt to cut off the heaG
of the enemy's column. But in half ar
hour their whole force had gained shelter
under a line of kopjes.
Meanwhile two Of cur batteries had
come up with the Oxferds, Bluffs. West.
rulings II Gloucesters. Our infantry
crossed the drift and for three hours W-ert
engaged with the enemy, while our bat.
teries shelied his position. The mounted
infantry kept hard at work..
Unable to Withstand our CALLING fir,
the enemy retired. disputing every incl
of the way and took up a second position
ON the kopjes to the eastward. It was
magnificent spectacle to see the Boz,
army thus at bay. Their rear guard, 2,
600 strong, fought us, while the mail
body trekked further east and thel
brought their guns into action, while tn
rear guard retired. -
"The action lasted throughout the day
Our infantry fought splendidly. but tn
enemy held his ground under the contin
ued bombafument. Later on the Boo
commander ventured or a bold stroke
Leaving 1000 of his men under cover, h
withdrew the rest from the main position
and headed for Kip kraal drift, six mile
III east. 1His movement was SOOn dis
covered. Our mounted infantry came bacl
across the drift and marched along tn
south bank to endeavor to head off tn
enemy. When they reached the neighbor
hood Of Kip kraal drift night had falle.
and half the Beers We're already acres
the south side. Our mounted infantr,
harrassed their
meanwhile the Boer rear guard, hav
ing covered the crossing of the mai
body, retired slowly and successfully pas
the drift. The rear guard fought desoer
ately and as it tell back to the river 1
was harrassed on the flank and rear b
the British.
Having thus passed the Bodder unde