The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1900-03-01
CRONJE AT BAY.
sURRoUNDED, HE REFUSES ROB
ERTs' ARMY OF $4,000.
BRAVERY OF THE BOERS.
Kitchener Refuses Cronje's Request Tor
an Armistice-Their Position is Hope
less, but They VIII Not Surrendcr-Tons
of Metal Being Hurled Into Burgher
Trench Surrender is Inevitable.

London, Eng, (By Cable. ).-One OF the
most important crises of the South African
War IL on. Tue latest developments are as
follows:
Gen. p. A. Cronje, with Boer army esti-
mated ot 5000 men, has made determined
stand at Paardeberg drift, IN the Orange
Free State, 40 miles east OF the Cape Colony
border.
force of Beers from Lad dysmith, reported
to be under command Of Gen. Hans Botha
has arrived to reinforce General Cronje.
Inis force was attacked and scattered by
Lord Roberts, the British COMMANDMENTS
chief
General Butler continues to advance on
Ladysmith, Natal but is meeting unexpect-
edly strong resistance from considerable
iorces OF Beers who remain in that vicinity
Tho bombardment OF Lndysmith was heavy
up to Monday, the date OF the last ndyices
from that place.
The most startling incident of the general
situation is an exploit by Cronje upon which
the British censored dispatches bestow high
praise. With his comparatively small force
ne was attacked last Sunday by the entire
army OF Lord Roberts. estimated to have
numbered 5000 men, and he repused the
attack in what Is described as zone of the
costliest actions of the war"
CronIe's army took up very strong posi-
ton In the bed of the Modder River at Paar-
deberg drift. detachment OF his force held
also kopje, or hill, some little distance from
the river and parallel with it, On both sides
OF the river there Is broad. level plain
which can be swept by the Mausers OF the
Beers, who use the river banks as breast
works The British infantry could not there
lore approach the Boer position safely with
IN distance OF mile and half, but tho
British artillery could take positions out OF
the range Of the Boer Mausers and shell the
river bed.
Lord Roberts decided upon an assault with
infantry, which met bloody repuse. On
Monday and Tuesday he shelled Cronje's
position. He made reconnaissance in force
Iuesday afternoon, which convinced him
that ne could not take the Doer position
without very heavy loss" Lord Roberts
therefore decided not to attack with his In
fantry again, but to use his cannon upon the
Beers shut up in the river bed, while using
Infantry and cavalry against the Boer rein
forcement that arrived from Ladysmith and
other places.
Should Boer relniorcements pour In upon
MIN In great numbers-as is likely--General
Hoberts, while besieglng Cronje, may find
himself besieged. Meanwhile, Cronje's army
shut up in cramped position, suffers loss
OF men and material from the incessant in
pour OF British missiles. Want OF food may
perhaps limit the period through which re-
sistance can be continued. Boer pluck is
however, indomitable and there can be no
doubt that Cronje will hold out while his
men can handle their rifles. II they can hold
out some days longer they have a fair
chance of being relieved by the armies OF
their compatriots that are fiocking from all
sides to aid them.
Cronje asked an armistice of "a hours to
allow him to bury his dead. Lord Kitchener
acting for Lord Roberts, refused. saying that
the Boer leader must fight to finish or sur
render Internationally. Cronje's final an
swer was that he would fight to the death.
The total British loss In Sundays battle
with Cronje is not known but partial lists
indicate that 1t was fully 700. The official
Boer account of the battle states that the
Boer loss in the main fight was one killed
and one wounded. 1t also states that two
were killed and four wounded In another
light In the same vicinity. British press
dispatch from Paardeberg states that ''the
Beers confessed to o loss OF over 800 men. :"