The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1900-02-27
Crome's Forces Have Far More
Protection Than Was First
Believed.
british Balloon Discovers a Sys.
TEN Of Borrowings in the
River Bank.
Expected Surrender, 1t Is Ad.
mitted, Is Several Days in
the Future.

LONDON, Feb. 27.-f the latest dis.
patches from Paardeberg throw anv
hight on the situation, they show that
General Cronje's forces have far more
protection from Field Marshal Lord
Roberts 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 Saturday, Feb. "a, says:
"A balloon has discovered the enemy
well covered by system Of burrowinRe
IN the river bank, which resembles a
rabbit warren and affords shell proof
positions"
This. perhaps more than any other
circumstance, explains why what is
looked upon here as General Cronje's
death struggle, is prolonged. Thus it
will not be much Of a surprise if d day
or two pass without being marked BY
the surrender or annihilation Of the
gallant band so overwhelmingly hemmed
In, though the closeness Of the invest
mcnt appears open to criticism. Small
bodic, Of Beers. apparently. are able to
make their escape, causing comparison
here between the Beers methods Of in.
ve>tment. with their quickly dug, sur
rounding trenches. impossible barbed
wire, etc, and those Of the British.
Opinion Of the Critics.
The military cities. though little bet
ter informed AS 10 the commander.in-
chiefs motives than the public, are in
Clincd TO the view that though the main
cause of the prolonyation of the Paar-
dcbcrg tragedy undoubtedly consists in
Lord Roberts being unwilling to risk
the great loss of life which an assault
would entail. His delay is also prompt
ed by the subsidiary mo'tSe Of attract
ing to Paardeberg as many reinforcing
aud relieving Boer units as will come.
feeling strong enough TO treat them as
General Joubcrt treated General Bull
ler's attempts TO relieve Ladysmith. In
other words, Lord Roberts holds posi-
ton almost analogous with that held SO
long BY the Beers at Ladysmith. As
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 okEcncral CronJe's forces who
arc counseling surrender. prevail So
indefinite is the information that either
Of these alternatives mav occur at any
moment. In the meanwhile, Lord Rob
ert>' engineers are SsppinR steadily to-
wards the Bocr laage:. and, according
10 n s,ecial from Paardcberg dated sun
day. Feb. -. the Gordon is gradually
drawing closer.
nuiIcr Discovers Hornets Nest.
General Buffers march on Ladysmith
is heiny marked hv sharp fighting. \
pietermaritzhurg dispatch OF Mondays 5
dat, saws H. is still heavily engaged in
fighting. In Grohler's kloof. General
Buller seems to have discovered hor.
Ne, $ nest.
/ In Cape Colony, the British arms are
steadily advancing.
Harklv East is now in their possession,
according 10 dispatch from that dis
,ri,t. the Beers cvncunting the place. re-
treating on Lady Grey and wiring Pres
idcnt Steyn for reinforcements to pre-
vent their surrender.
The Pretoria government proclaimed
Feb % and Feb. - days Of thanksgiv'
ing and prayer. presumably III memory
of the battle Of Majuba Hill.
\ dispatch from Kimberley says it'
Inhabitants have planned to erect q
.,,,r. IN Cecil Rhodes. in recognition OF
his services during the campaign.
General Butler. in dispatch from
Co,enso dated sunday. Feb. 20, reports
TINT the British casualties Feb. 20. were
- killed and 30 wounded. among the
Somcrscts ani Dorsets. ana TINT fep
~, ,,,a Eeh o3. IL officers were wounded