The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-02-20
HOLDING NEWS BACK.
Report In London That Cronje
Is at Bay.
DOUBT AS TO THE REAL FACTS
Explanation Il That Confirmation and
Detail Are Awaited-Boers Capture
Large stores-Buller Captures Hang

Large Stores-Buller Captures Hang
LONDON, Feb. 20.-A member Of the
cabinet says that the war Office has re-
ceived telegram announcing that Cen
eral Cronje was hopelessly surrounded.
Mr. Wyndham was beset by anxious
members Of the house, but would only
reply that the government news was
extremely satisfactory. The sole ex-
planation of the government with
holding good news is that confirmation
and details are awaited.
A dispatch from Lourenzo Marquee
says: The relieving column attempted
to break out of Kimberley with the gar
rison, but failed. Heavy fighting is
now progressing.
The situation as disclosed by CORE
spondents over the Free State border is
tantalizing to the public expectations.
The elementary facts are that the Beers
are trekking eastward toward Bloem-
fontein, with slow moving baggage
trains, and that they are pursued by
Lord Kitchener, with General Kelly
Kenny's division. General MacDon-
aid, with the Highlanders, made a
forced march to Kodoorsrand ford and
on Sunday pushed 20 miles eastward.
General French left Kimberley Satur.
day, going east along the Modder river.
Lord Kitchener is trying to outmarch
and to outflank the Beers, thus check
ing their retreat, if possible, and driv.
ing them back into the hands of Mac.
Donald and French. The war office
message seems to indicate that Lord
Kitchener has either got ahead of the
Beers or is about to realize his plan,
and the war Office waits to announce a
decisive result Meanwhile Command
ant Delarey, with the Beers. from
Colesburg. is. hanging on to the right
flank of the British pursuing columns
seeking to delay their movement and so
to assist the Boer wagon trains to es.
cape.
Students Of topography think the
Beers will hardly risk a fight until they
get into the rough country north OF
Bloemfontein.
Boers Capture Rich Supplies.
A Daily Mail correspondent who was
with the British convoy attacked py tho
Beers at Riet river ford, wires:
ultimately the British abandoned
the convoy, in order not to check the
advance. Thus 300 wagons and 600
tons of stores fell into the hands of the
Beers, though it is doubtful if they will
hQ nj h1n f0 orrxv
General Butler has achieved a real
success seemingly in capturing the
range Of hills south of the Tugela. It
makes more feasible another attempt to
relieve Ladysmith. The queen has sent
direct message to Lord Roberts con-
graduating him and his troops. Cen
eral French and Colonel Kekewich have
been acquainted with their promotions.
DIR. Leyds at Brussels says the Free
State troops who were besieging Lady
smith have Withdrawn in order to de.
fend their homes. In this way he ac-
counts for General Buffers success
against the weakened forces. He will
forego his projected trip to Rome be-.
cause of decisive events now taking
place in the theater of war
General Roberts generalship was
conducted with such secrecy, says a
telegram from Modder River. that even
the senior officers who took the Sixth
division through the preliminaries of
the operation did not know what they
would finally have to do.
Buller Captures Hlangwane Hill.
The Chieveley correspondent of the
Daily News, telegraphing yesterday,
says:
1--WE now occupy all the hills to the