The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-21
BRITISH HAVE THEIR INNING.
RoEnS ARE CONCENTRATING TO DE-
FEND THEIR COUNTRY,

BuiIer Thinks They Are About TO
Abandon the Siege of LadySmith.
Indications Point to the Fact Thar
they Are Pursuing Some New and
Unknown End-Retrcat of Gen.
Cronje Was Successful, but It Was
DimcuIt.
London Feb 21, Ais a. m.-The Beers
are leaving all the positions held by them
on British territory and are concentrat-
Ing for the defense of their own.
Sir Redvers Butler thinks they are
about TO raise the siege of Ladysmith. and
this is the large news of the day.
Cen Clements reports that the force
confronting him has been greatly dimin-
ished Ten thousand men are estimated
20 have gone from the Colesberg district
alone.
The Beers are also retracing their steps
from Iululand Thus they are relaxing
their hold on all sides in order to assem-
bic to oppose Lord Roberts. He is press
ing on steadily toward Bloemfontein. This
is shown by his inconsequential telegram
from Paardeberg. fifty or sixty miles
away. Doubtless he is but few miles
behind the column that is pursuing the
Beers, and the next important news may
be the occupation of Bloemfontein.
Nothing Heard From CrOnie.
Nothing has been heard from the chase
Of CronJe for two days. There is a strong
disposition 10 believe that favora bic in
formation has been received by the war
Office, but is being withheld until the op-
crauons culmlndte in something more con-
elusive. There is an equally strong dispo-
sition to think that Gen. Cronje has got
away
owing to the lack of transportation, the
British are not likely to invade Boer terri
tory except where Lord Roberts is operat-
ing. Gen. Butler will have TO stop at the
Drakenberg mountains. Probably a part
Of his 10000 men will ultimately join the
legions of Lord Roberts.
All News Is Favorable.
If, as Gen. 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 1900 men 10 the
home defense The urgency with which
home defense is pressed excites some won
der
With the casualties just reported the
british losses in killed. wounded and cap
'HiON INV dS5ISSdle 1l,lV-.
Gen. CrOnje's Retreat.
A correspondent of the Daily Chronicle;
telegraphing Sunday, thus describes Gen.
Cronjes retreat with the Beers at Magers-
fontein, ON learning of Gen. FTench's sue
cess:
on Thursday at midnight headed by
Gen. Cronje, 5000 Beers, with their heavy
guns and OK wagons, evacuated the Ma
gersfontein lines AT dawn on Friday the
TpfTp1tiUo Rnpr xtrqc bo
British naval gun station on Kip drift
kopje, trekking eastward across the Brit
ish front at a distance of 5000 yards Our
guns opened upon them and force of
mounted infantry, crossing the river
made dashing charge in the attempt to
cut off the head of the enemy's column
But in half an hour their whole force had
gained shelter under a line Of kopjes.
Meanwhile two of our batteries had
come up, and afso the Oxfords, Bluffs and
Goucesters. Our infantry crossed the
drift, and for three hours were engaged
with the enemy while our batteries shelled
his position. The mounted infantry kept
hard at work.
They Disputed Every Inch.
Unable to withstand our CALLING fire the
enemy retired, disputing every inch of the
way and took up a second position on the
kopJes 10 the eastward. 1t was mag
niilcent spectacle to see the Boer army
thus al bay. Their rear guard, 1000
strong, fought u.s. while the main body
trekked further east and then brought
their guns into action, while the rear
guard retired.
THE action lasted through the day. Our
infantry fought splenddy bus the enemy
held his ground under the continued bonn
pardment Later on the BOer commander
Nentured on a bold stroke. Leaving 1900
az his men under cover, he withdrew the
resi- from his main position and headed
lor Kip kraal drift, six miles to the east
ms movement was soon discovered.
Our mounted infantry came back across
lhe drift and marched along the south
nank TO endeavor to head off the enemy.
When they reached the neighborhood of
hip k'aal drift night had fallen and half
'he Beers were already across to the
South side. Our mounted infantry harass-
"a the movements
Beers Retired Successfully.
Meanwhile the Boer rear guard, hav-
hs covered the crossing of the main
boay retired slowly and successfully and
ldsSed the drift. The rear guard fought
oesn eratey and as it fell back to the
1NeT it was harassed on the flank and
On u rear by the British
Having thus passed the Modder under
.o'eF q darkness, the Beers trekked
~. ushout the night in the direction Of
.-oenlontein. Gen. Kelly-Kenny, with
,-e sixth division, pursued them at day
i7 Gen. Macdonald with the High
Ionle.s following him. Mcdonald reached
mi kraal DRIFT by forced marches Sun
uay Gen. Kelly Kenny moving from Kip
'" drltt' was endeavoring to outfiank
ri rNemy and to cut them off from
5iiohtein, so as TO drive them back
ioe len MacDonald's hands. When 1
ro ule front Gen. Kelly-Kenny had not
up with the enemy"