Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1900-02-23
CROWDING CRONJE
He Is In a Tight Box and the Brit
ish Are Pressing Their
Advantage.
MAY SURRENDER ANY HOUR
There Has Been Great Loss of Men On Both
Sides Since Oronje Halted and the Stub
born Resistance Of the Retreating
Force Was Begun.

f0rce was begun.
London, February 23.-Every hour Is
expected to bring news Of Cronje's sur
render. With fifty guns bearing upon
the devoted band within terribly short
range Of 1000 yards, surrender or utter
annihilation can be the enly alt, un-
less all reports as to the strength of the
Boer re-enforcements are wrong. Even
an unexpectedly strong attack on Lord
Roberts lines of communication could
scarcely, according to experts, mate
rally alter the result. The severe losses
incurred by General Kelly-Kenny Sum-
day produced some adverse criticism
but 1t is pointed out that had he fought
less furiously he would have given the
Beers opportunity to intrench them
selves, and perhaps effect further flight
to a more advantageous position.
Buffers progress toward Ladysmith
is so slow that it scarcely appeals to
public interest. General White appears
to be endeavoring to assist Butler by a
vigorous bombardment.
Advices received at Cape Town yes
terday said 1t was reported that the
British were gradually driving the
Beers out of northern Cape Colony.
SMELLING THE RELIEF FORCES.
Colenso, Natal, February 21.-The
British crossed the Tugela over pom
toon north Of Hlangwana and now oc
viii hn hri-
gade was bombarding Groblars Kloof,
the Beers big Creusot replying, yester-
day, after the occupation Of Colenso,
small party of Thorneycroft's horse
crossed the river, but were driven back
by fire from the trenches. The Boer
guns are still shelling the relieving
force from the hills south Of Ladysmith,
but the impression Is spreading that
they are merely covering retreat of
the entire Boer force.
Buffers casualties Tuesday and
Wednesday were: Killed-Capt. Crea-
lock, Lieuts. Keith -Falconer and Parry,
of the somersetshire light infantry, and
nine men. Wounded-Six officers and
ninety-seven men; missing, five men.
BOERS GO NORTHWARD.
Arundel, February 22.-Colonel Hen
dersons squadron Of the Tnniskillings,
with two guns, reconnoitered westward
to Mooifontein farm, on the direct road
to Colesberg and Hanover. They got
close to the Beers in the hills and were
fred on. They quickly got their guns
tually the Beers We're driven out, re-
firing northward, when they came un-
der the fire of two other guns supported
by company Of Australians, near the
British western post on Dragon hill.
Colonel Henderson proceeded to Mooi-
fontein farm, which he now occupies.
British patrols from Hanover also came
out that far The Beers are not in great
force. They have been persistently fol-
lowed all day, and have withdrawn
considerable distance northward.
THE TRANSVAAL ALARMED.
Lorenzo Marques, Delagoa Bay, Feb
ruary 22.-The Transvaal government
is reported as seriously alarmed at the
defeat Of the Beers at Kimberley and
the retreat of General Cronje. The
newspapers are most reticent but the
Standard and Diggers' News claims
Cronje's movement Is beneficial, as it
increases the mobility of the burghers
army, enabling it to conduct more eff
plans. There are persistent reports that
the seat of the Free State government
is being moved to Wynburg. 1t Is said
that 5000 burghers have been sent from
Ladysmith to Bloemfontein.
BRITISH BEATEN BACK.
Hoofel Laager, Ladysmith, February
21.-There was heavy fighting all Of
Monday and Tuesday. 1t still continues
since early this morning. Our officers
hope to dislodge the British from their
position. Last night a body OF British
troops tried to cross the river, but were
beaten back with heavy loss. Our loss
was slight
WISHED TO BURY DEAD.
Paardeberg Drift, Orange Free State,
Tuesday, February .2o.-Yesterday Gen.
mistice in order to bury the dead.
Kitchener refused. A little later came
another messenger with word that If
the British were inhuman enough to re-
fuse an armistice for the purpose Of
burying the dead, Cronje saw no other
recourse but to surrender. Upon re-
ceipt Of this message Kitchener pro-
ceeded to the Boer laager to arrange
the capitulation, but was met by a mes
senger who announced that Cronje said
he would fight until he died. The bonn
bardment of the Boer position with ITO
guns was renewed. The exploding lyd-
dite shells raised great clouds of green
smoke, completely filing the river bed.
Our shells searched every bush and ev-
cry ravine In the river bed. The enfilad-
ing guns must have done terrible exc
cution. The roar was deafening, but
vet with desperate madness now and
again the Beers would attempt to snipe
the naval guns, which were firing at q
range Of 1000 yards. The loss Of the
Beers Is not known.
MINES TO BE OPENED.
London, February %, 1880 a. m.-rhe
war office has issued the following from
Lord Roberts,
"Paardeberg, February 22.-Methuer
reports from Kimberley that supplies
Of food and forage are being pushed on
as fast as possible. There will be enough
coal to start the De Beers mines In ter
days. BY this means great misery will
be alleviated. The hospital arrange.
: ments there are reported perfect. HI
& hopes Prieska and the adjoining coun.