The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-24
British Regard CrOnje's Surren-
der as Certain.
News of His Capture From Dur
ban is Doubted.
MAY STARVE HIM OUT.
Thought Possible That is What
Roberts is Doing.
Public Praises the Gallant Fight
Of the BOer.

London, Feb. 24.-2:15 p. m.-The dis
patch from Paardeberg dated Thurs
day, Feb. p, made public this afternoon
shows that the condition Of Gen. Cronje,
apparently had not changed for the bet
ter or worse up to Thursday and con-
firmation of a Durham report announc-
ing Cen Cronje's surrender is eagerly
awaited. At this hour the war office
has no news and it is regarded as a cur
ious fact that the first news of the sur
render, if true should have come from
Durham. Lacking better authority the
Durham dispatch is regarded as
doubtful announcement. The arrival of
the British supply column at Paarde-
berg may have given Gen. Roberts the
opportunity to resume his fierce attack
on Gen. Cronje's laager, for doubtless
he could not keep up the vigorous can
nonade with which he started. Possibly
the long wait may be due to a determi-
nation to endeavor to starve out Gen
Cronje's gallant force.
Other late Paardeberg dispatches say
the Beers plight is still hopeless and
that Lord Roberts is ready to meet all
their reinforcements
LATEST FROM PAARDEBERG.
Paardeberg, Thursday, Feb. 22.-
There is little change in the situation.
There was intermittent shelling today
and during the night a large supply col
umn arrived.
It is reported that 1000 Beers are op-
Grating northwards of this place.
Yesterday evening after the last gun
had been fired, the Shropshires rushed
forward 200 yards further towards the
bed of the river and found a number of
BOer dead
Gen. French captured rs more prison
ers who had previously escaped the cor
don and patrol, on the westward side,
took 80 more.
PROUD OF CRONJE.
London, Feb. 24.-Mr. Balfour an
nounced in the house of commons at
half past II this morning that no furth
er news regarding Gen. Cronje had been
received by the government. He had
sent to the war Office during the hour,
ana ne asserted that nothing had come
TO hand there.
Gen. Cronje therefore is presumable
still unbeaten. No other construction is
placed upon the three days silence of
Lord Roberts.
Yet no one sees how it is humanity
possible, judging from the descriptions
for him to resist so long. Great Britain
does not withhold admiral ton for the
valor of losing fight against such
odds.
"Englishmen feel something like pride
News.
In a position covering only a square
mile, hemmed in on all sides, circled
with a chain of fire from rifle Maxim
and howitzer played on by deadly lyd-
dite, bursting in its own sickly green
light, his hastily built trenches Ien-
filaded by a stream of lead sweeping
down the river from the north bank,
Gen. CrOnje still elects to fight. It is
magnificent courage"
Gen. Cronjes wife is described by the
prisoners as urging him to surrender
in Dr6a to Z be !,
but he would not.
The British cavalry patrol sent by
Lord Methuen north of Kimberley dis
covered the Beers concentrating
whether for Offense or defense is simply
conjecture.
The Beers seem to be retiring from
Gen. Gatacre's front at SterkstroOm in
order to reinforce the Free Staters.
Ladysmith had not been relieved
when the latest news left Natal two
days ago. The Beers had then retired
half way between Ladysnlith and Co
lensO. If only 5000 went to the Free
State. as both the Boer and British ac-
counts state the 1900 who are left
may purpose to maintain the siege and
to resist Gen. Butler within contracted
lines. although the impression at Gen.
Buffers headquarters is that the Beers
are merely covering a retreat.
The editorials in the morning papers
complain. more or less vigorously, of the
-insufficiency of the governments naval
proposals. especially in view of the i'm
mense naval efforts of Germany and
other powers.
The conservative Standard says:
Perhaps this is because the British
navy is considered strong enough for
its work; but the nation will ask for
fun assurances on. this point"
The Daily Mail says:
1.-The proposals are so inadequate that
we cannot but express the deepest sur
prise that the admiralty board can be
4 Il to hoy,
FROM VARIOUS POINTS.
London, Feb PA special dispatch
from Arundel. under date of Feb. %.
says:
.-The Beers have formed strong
force seven miles west OF here. General
Clements has kept up a searching fire
on their kOpjes. We expect to take
their position before sunset"
A war bulletin published in Pretoria,
February p, said communication with
General CrOnje was still open February
q and that reports of heavy fighting
occurring east of Gen. Cronje's' laageI
has been received A Sterkstrom dis
patch of February 23 says a British
refugee from Heidelberg asserts that
the Beers have admitted losing SOC
men in the assault on Ladysmith Jan
6 and that it was true General Joubert
was no longer in command. He addee
that some Free Staters were publicly
fogged for cOwardice after the battle Ol
Belmont.
The British casualties at Koodoos-
berg drift February Z, and Kip Kraa
February 16 sWere seven officers wound
ed four men killed and 90 men wounded
From General Butler there is nothing
new but the retreat of General Cronj'
seems to be having an effect on the
Cape Beers. as a Dordrecht dispatcl
dated February p says they have open
ed negotiations for submission. Gen
Bra bant is treating with them and il
reference to the wishes of the governo
OF Cape Colony SIR Alfred Miner il