, 1900-02-27

ton is made of their numbers, but the
withdrawal of the Beers from most of
| the places where they have been in
contact with the British, except the dis
trict near Ladysmith, may raise the
resisting force to 80, 1000. This figure
assumes that the Beers have between
10000 and $1,000 men in the field.
The gathering of this army across
the path of Lord Roberts gives signifi-
canoe to Cronje's steadfast defense. He
has engaged the corps Of Lord Rob
erts 10 days now, and whether relieved
or not, he has given time for the dis
persed Boer factions to get together
and prepare positions when Cronje is
overcome n Roberts moves forward.
1t is difficult to conceive that the Beers
are strong enough to take the offensive
and rescue Cronje from his precarious
situation.
The war office had nothing after mid
night to indicate his collapse, and he
may hold out a few days. The corre-
%spondents seem to have no exact infor-
nation respecting his %our Some
say he has plenty of food, but short
of ammunition. Others assert he aban-
doned his food supplies, and kept an
abundant supply of cartridges.
General Butler Saturday forced the
last and strongest position of the b.
ers who bar his way to Ladysmith. The
strenuous fighting indicates a battle
between the armies, rather than rear
guard actions protecting a retreat.
Thursday and Friday he lost AZ Off
GERS in killed and wounded, represent
ing. probably. a total loss Of from 400
to 500. General Whites guns worked
Saturday upon the Boer positions and
a heliograph from Ladysmith reported
the Beers retreating, and larger rations
were being issued in view of the fact
that relief seemed at hand.
Nothing has been heard from Mafe-
king since Feb. IL.
The movement on the veldt away
from the railroad is becoming increas-
ingly difficult for large bodies Of troops.
as the grass is burned up. General
French has to wagon forage for his
horses and ven the infantry finds long
marches harder than before, as forage
for transport animals must be carried.
This requires the formation OF garri-
soned depots. The ordinary campaign
ing season is over, and the sickly sea-
son for both men and animals has set
in. Technical military writer's take
these things into consideration in fore
casting events.
The Daily Chronicle a it learns
from private letters that British rifles
the southern coast Of Cape Colony, pre-
sumably for the Dutch colonists. Lord
Roberts recently received ~ additional
pieces Of artillery. Whether all have
Probably the Eighth division will leave
England neNt Monday.
Winston Churchill's dispatch to the
Morning Post from Frere camp, dated
ouhddy, saSs.
THE idea that the Beers are raising
the siege of Ladysmith is premature.
The advance is being pursued in the
face of the most stubborn opposition
and heavy loss. President Kruger's
grandson is among the Beers killed.
Churchill then proceeded to describe
the heavy fighting on last Friday in
which the Inniskillings approached
within 500 yards of the rocky summit
of a Boer position, and then CALAMITY
charged in the face of a hail Of bullets.
He says: after repeated attempts,
however, and having lost heavily, they
recognized they were unable to pre-.
vail. Nevertheless, they refused to re-
treat, but lay down on the slope behind
the shelter of the walls. The Con-
naughts and Dublin fusileers were sent
to their support, but the light faded and
night closed in before the main attack
had developed.