The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-03-02
LADYSMlTH WOES
Story Of Privations Told In
Times" by Colonel
Rhodes.
HORSES AND MULES EATEN
Boer Soldiers Seem Glad Not
to Fight Cronje Crest
fallen.
rRv csable to The Associated Press. ]

TBy Cable to The Associated Press
LONDON. March 2, 1904 despatch
from General Butler was received at the
War Office this morning announcing that
seventy-three wagon loads of supplies are
now entering Ladysmith, the first eleven
wagons containing hospital comforts
A special correspondent telegraphing
from Paardeberg February q, says:-.iA
curious piece of news has just been re-
lated to me by General Cronje's aide-de-
camp. 1t appears that Cronje was in
daily photographic communication with
General Dewet, who he supposed was
bringing up reinforcements. Yesterday
Cronje photographed that unless he was
relieved Immediately he would feel bound
to surrender.
General Dewet replied with cheer
ing message urging him to hold on longer
and that he would soon be relieved, but
totally failed to effect any diversion.
'"rhe mounted infantry today recon
noitred the Beers approaching from the
south and after drawing a shell fire re-
turned
.eThe prisoners all appear to regard the
blow as severer than it is regarded by
the British. Gen. Cronje's aide-de-camp
stated today that he believed the Free
State would continue to fight as long as
the Transvaal wished. On the other hand
many Free Staters are anxiously asking
for copies of Lord Roberts proclamation.
With no prospect of any exciting news
coming in from Ladysmith in the near
future all eyes turn once more towards
Field Marshal Lord Roberts and his adj
vance into the Orange Free State. The
critics of the afternoon newspapers are
almost unanimous in expecting the main
stand of the Beers to occur at Wynburg,
or in it's vicinity. Before Lord Roberts's
advance on Bloemfontein can become eff
fective the strong force of Beers already
gathered southwest of Paardeberg must
be dispersed. The British lack re1nounts,
and the necessity of a thorough transport
reorganization may delay a decisive ac-
ton in this quarter for several days, and,
perhaps, weeks. MafelSing alone now
awaits relief, and force to accomplish
this is probably already on it's way.
No more popular event could now occur
for Great Britain than the relief of Col
onel Baden-Powelrs gallant little band.
1t is believed they are quite able to hold
out until succor arrives.
In Northern Cape Colony the British
campaign progresses well. The whole line
of the Orange River should shortly be in
their possession.
1t is suggested that General Whites
garrison may be sent to sea to recuperate,
but this scarcely seems probable.
The afternoon newspapers devote ju-
bilant editorials to the joy that reigned
yesterday throughout the empire, trans
lating it as one more sign of imperial
unity.
General Buffers casualties among his
officers during the fighting of February
27 were-Killed, Colonel O'Leary, of the
Lancashires; Major Lewis Captain Sykes
and Lieutenant Simpson, of the Scots
Fusiliers; Lieutenant Mourilyan, of the
Wiarwtchshires, and Lieutenant DAILY, of
the Irish Fusiliers. Wounded, General
Barton, Colonel Carr, of the Scots Fusil-
iers and twenty-three others.
SSsonel Rhodes, the brother of Cecil
Rhodes. describing, in the Times the
entry into Ladysmith of Lord Dundonald
and three hundred men of the Imperial
Light Horse and Natal Carbiniers, Feb
ruary Is, says
sit is Impossible to depict the enthusi-
asm of the beleaguered garrison. Cheer
upon Cheer ran from poSt " poSe eliu
Staff officers, civilians and soldiers flock
ed to greet them. At the ford of the
Kiln River women with children in their
arms tearfully pressed forward to grasp
the hands of the gallant band Sisters
and brothers, friends and relatives met
again. 1t was the most moving scene
have ever witnessed. The contrast be-
tween the robust troopers of a dozen bat
tles and the pale, emaciated defenders OF
T.advsmith was great. The hour for which
we had SO patiently waited had come at
last.
General White and his staff met the
troons in the centre of the town. He was
cheered with heartfelt enthusiasm He
addressed the civilians and thanked them
ANA the garrison for their magnificent
support through trials which we alone
can realize. We could possibly have hung
on for six weeks longer, but the prlvatsens
would have been great and sickness and
the naucitv of our ammunition would
have limited the number of assaults we
would have been able to resist
.syNe originally started the siege with
10 900 troops. 1900 civilians and 4000
natives. Between casualties and sickness
5000 soldiers passed through the hospital.
II is Impossible to over-emphasize the pri-
vations Of the sick. Since the middle Of
January a man once down was practically
lost. The reduced rations of the soldiers
lust sufffced for their subsistence. Daily.
thirty old horses and mules were slaugh-
tered and converted into soup and sau-