New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-23
GENERAL CRONJE AT BAY.

Light begins to break upon the situation in
the Orange Free State. Dispatches contain
names of places that are shown upon the maps.
1t is therefore now possible to tell what route
General Cronje has taken in his retreat toward
BIoemfontein and at what point he has been
brought to stand at bay before the onset of the
British army. Eastward from Jacobsdal the
Ret and Modder rivers diverge, and between
them is vast open plain, across the centre of
which runs n road straight to Bloemfontein.
The first superstition was that the Boer army
had followed that road. But 1t now appears
that it did not do so, probably fearing lack of
water on the dry plain in parching midsummer
heat Instead it has swung northward, making
its way along the south bank of the Modder
River That is a slightly longer route TO Bloom
fontein, but doubtless q safer and more COM
Portable one
The Beers are now at or near KoodoOsrand.
That is on the Modder River, about forty miles
above the junction of the Modder and the Rlet.
Paardeberg, which yesterday was Lord Rob
ertss headquarters, is on the Modder, seven or
eight miles west General Cronje Is thus at
bay and fighting the fight of his life about one
third Of the way from Kimberley TO Bloemfon-
ten. He has apparently taken a strong position
and is presenting a fierce resistance to the Brit
ish attack So strong indeed, is his defence that
direct assault but to lombard at long range, TO
complete his investment of the Boer camp on all
sides and to drive back the achievements
which came Fastening to Cronje's aid from east
and south. For as we anticipated Immediately
upon the relief of Kimberley, the Boer troops
are being withdrawn from the Orange River and
from Ladysmith TO be massed before Bloemfon-
tein 10 repel. if possible, the invading British
army.
In these tactics Lord Roberts seems to have
been successful He reports that he has scat
tered Commandant Botha's forces, with heavy
loss to them. Botha had come up from the
Orange River. Lord Roberts also reports that
he has driven off the Beers Gin all directions"
presumably including the levies from Lady
smith, who have been hurried across by rail and
by forced marches. General Cronie is said to
have asked for an armistice on Monday, which
Lord Roberts seems to have refused in the spirit
of Grants proposal ito move Immediately upon
your works" The ostensible reason for asking
an armisice is not stated. The effect it would
have had is obvious it would have given more
Boer reinforcements time to come to the scene.
The general situation then is that Kimberley
is relieved. Ladysnith about TO be relieved. the
Beers retiring from Cape Colony and Natal.
| and the second largest Of the Boer armies itself
practically beseged at a ford of the Modder
River. The problem before Lord Roberts is to
capture crush Cronje before a great Boer
army can be gathered for his relief. Doubtless
the latter is now the aim of the Beers. They
must have, at various points within a few days
| journey, enough bodies of troops to compose
| formidable army, perhaps enough to menace
Lord Roberts's lines of communication and to
| put him upon the defensive IL they could be got
| together in time. But with his mobile divisions
and his great skill in strategy Lord Roberts may
continue TO scatter them in all directions" as
| fast as they come up, in the mean time daily
| Tightening his grip upon General Cronje.