Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-02-27


at GrobIer's KlOOf.
LONDON, February :6.-If the latest
dispatches from Paardeberg throw any
light on the situation, they show that
Gen. Cronje's forces have far more
protection from Field Marshal Rob-
erts's heavy fire than the first dis
patches indicated. A special dispatch
from Paardeberg, published in the sec
ond edition of the Daily Chronicle, and
dated February "a, says: "a balloon
has discovered the enemy well cover
ed by a system of burrowing in the
river bank. which resembles rabbit
warren and affords shell-proof posi-
tions.''
The Times publishes the following
from Paardeberg, dated "Wednesday,
February 81: Gen. Cronje's forces
have good cover from the British ar
tillery fire, and have considerable
stores of provisions.
circumstances, explains why what is
looked upon here as Gen. CronJes
death struggle is prolonged. Thus 1t
will not be much Of a surprise II to-
morrow, which is the anniversary OF
Majuba hill passes without being
marked by the surrender or annihila-
ton of the gallant band SO overwhelm-
ingly hemmed in, though the closeness
of the investment appears open to
criticism. Small bodies of Beers, ap-
parently, are able to make their es-
cape, causing comparison here be-
tween the Beers methods of invest
ment, with their quickly dug, sur
rounding trenches, impossible barbed
wire, etc., and those of the British.
The military critics, though little bet
ter informed as to the commander In
chiefs motives than the public, are
inclined to the view that though the
main cause of the prolongation OF the
Paardeberg tragedy undoubtedly con-
sists in Lord Roberts being unwilling
to risk
The Great Loss of Life
which an assault would entail, his de-
lay is also prompted by the subsidiary
motive of attracting to Paardeberg as
many reinforcing and relieving Beers
units as will come, feeling strong
enough to treat them as Gen. Joubert
treated Gen. Buffers attempts to re-
lieve Ladysmith. In other words, Lord
Roberts holds a position almost anala-
gous with that held so long by the
Beers at Ladysmith. AS Gen. Cronje
is reported to have plenty of food the
plan of starving him out can scarcely
avail, so Lord Roberts must either wait
until his ammunition, which is said
to be short, runs out, or those of Gen.
Cronje's forces who are counselling
surrender prevail. So indefinite is the
information that either of these alter
natives may occur at any moment.
Meanwhile Lord Roberts's engineers
are sapping steadily toward the Boer
laager, and, according to a special from
Paardeberg, dated Sunday, February.
25, the Gordon is gradually drawing
closer.
Gen. Buffers march on Ladysmith is
being marked by sharp fighting. A
Pietermaritzburg dispatch of to-day's
date says he is still heavily engaged
in fighting. In Globlers Kloof General
Butler seems to have discovered hor-
nets nest.
In Cape Colony the British arms are
steadily advancing. Farkley East is
now in their possession, according to
a dispatch from that district, the
Beers evacuating the place, retreating
on Lady Gray and wiring President
Steyn for reinforcements to prevent
their surrender.
The Pretoria Government
proclaimed February 25 and February
q days of thanksgiving and prayer,
presumably in memory of the battle
of Majuba Hill.
A dispatch from Kimberley says its
inhabitants have planned to erect a
statue to Cecil Rhodes, in recognition
of his services during the siege.
Gen. Butler in a dispatch from
Colenso dated Sunday, February 25, re-
ports that the British casualties Feb
ruary 20, were II killed and 80 wound
ed, among the Somersets and Dorsets,
and that February % and February %,
II officers were wounded
PAARDEBURG, February "a
Yesterday there was an interesting
series of fight along the British front.
One thousand Beers, commanded by
Gen. De Wet, who were known to be
operating in the immediate front, at
early dawn yesterday determined to
attempt to break through the British
lines and aid Gen. Cronje. A body of
500 Beers moved toward the British
left and cantered in the direction of a
kopje with the object of occupying