The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-24
But Informed when He Arrived at
the Laager that the Brave Boer
Intended to Fight 1t Out.
PROGRESS OF GEN. BULLER
HIS EFFORTS TO REACH LADYSMITH
STRONGLY RESISTED.
Part of His Force Driven Back Across
the TugeIa-GenernI White Report
ed to Have Made a Sortie.

LONDON, Feb. "a, Ais a. m.-
MIR. Balfour announced in the
House of Commons, at 1890 o'clock
this morning, that no further news
regarding General Cronje had been
received by the government. He
mad sent to the War Office during
the hour, and he was assured that
nothing had come to hand there.
General Cronje, therefore, is pre-
sumably still unbeaten. No other
construction is placed on the three
days silence of Lord Roberts.
Yet no one sees how it is humanity
possible, Judging from the descrip-
tions of his situation on Wednes-
day morning. for him to resist so
long. Great Britain does not with
hold admiration for the valor of
losing fight against such odds.
''Englishmen feel something like
pride in Cronje, even as foe," says
the Daily News. ''In position
covering only square mile, hem
med in on all sides, circled with a
chain of fire from rifles, maxim
and howitzer, played on by deadly
lyddite, bursting in its own sickly
green light, his hastily built
trenches enfiladed by a stream of
lead sweeping down the river from
the north bank, General Cronje still
elects to fight. 1t is a magnificent
courage"
General Cronje's wife is described
by the prisoners as urging him to
surrender, IN order to save the lives
of his men, but he would not.
The British cavalry patrols sent by Lord
Methuen north of Kimberley discovered
the Beers concentrating. whether for Of
fense or defense is simply conjectured.
The Beers seem to be retiring from Gen.
reinforce the Free Staters.
Ladysfaith had not been relieved when
the latest news left Natal two days ago.
The Beers had then retired half way be-
tween Ladysmith and Colenso. If only
six thousand went to the Free State, as
both the Boer and the British accounts
assert. the twelve thousand who are left
may purpose to maintain the siege and to
resis. General Butler within contracted
lines. although the impression at General
Buffers headquarters is that the Beers are
merely covering a retreat.
The editorials In the morning papers COM
plain. more or less vigorously Of the insult
fciency OF the governments naval pro-
posals. especially In view of the immense
naval efforts of Germany and other powers
The conservative Standard says: perhaps
this is because the British navy is consid-
cred strong enough for its work. but the
point
The Daily Mail says: 'The proposals
are so inadequate that we cannot but ex-
press the deepest surprise that the Admir-
atty board can be persuaded 60 accept
them
Mr.. Spencer Wilkinson in the Morning
Post says: From Boer dispatches we
might infer that General De Wet has gath
cred n considerable force OF scattered
Beers at Betrusburg. about fifteen miles
southeast of Koodoesrand. with a view of
relieving General cronje- 1t is probable
that battle Is also raging in Natal Any,
way. there Is need for alarm 1t is
quite possible that after the fight Lord
Roberts may be engaged In pursuing the
Beers, which would take him away from
the telegraph wire. Possibly a big fight
IL proceeding Lord Roberts may be fight-
ing from 10000 10 1900 Beers This would
account for the long silence. as all expert
snce has proved that the battles occupy