The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1900-03-01
WAR NEWS OF THE WEEK.

the Beer army on the Modder
river, to agree to an armistice of TWEEN
ty-four hours 50 that the Beers could
bury their dead Kitchener declined to
stop firing, fearing the delay would work
too much to the advantage of his adver-
sary, who was daily expecting help:from
other forces in the Orange Free State.
Cronje then offered to surrender, but
when ordered to come into the British
lines withdrew his offer and stated that
he would fight to finish The battle
was at once renewed, the British she'll
ing the Beers with sixty pieces of al til
lery. 1t was thought at this time that
Cronje's army could not possibly escape.
TIE news of Friday from Butler was
meagre. His advance toward Ladys,nith
was reported to be steady but slow.
There was 3 rumor that Gen Joubert
had been incapacitated for command of
the Transvaal army, but it was uncon-
firmed
Saturday morning, Feb. "a, brought
no news of Importance. Cronje was
still holding out at Paardeburg, suffer
ing a terrible fire from the British Max
inns, rifles and howitzers. Various for
ces of Free Skaters attempting to come
to his assistance We're driven back or
dispersed by the British. From Natal
came information thai the Boer forces
opposed to Butler had retired to a point
about half way between Colenso and
Ladysmith, They contested every foot
of the way, though somewhat weaken
ed by reason of the withdrawal of troops
sent to help Cronje.
The news coming Sunday was merely
an iteration of that of the day or two
preceding. There were rumors at Berlin
that Cronje had escaped from his peril
GUS position, but there was no confirm
alton. The general opinion was that
possibly small portion of his army had
in slipping through the British
lines. Cronjes desperate defense arous-
ed great admiration even in England.
Butler was reported to be advancing
slowly against strong opposition. A
dispatch from Dordrecht dated Feb. 90
stated that the Cape Beers, disheartened
by Cronjes retreat, had offered to sur
render, and that the british had given
Them very liberal terms.
On Monday it was announced that sew
eral parties of Beers from Natal had at
to relieve Cronje by attacking
the outposts of the British army sur
him. Lord Roberts reported
that all such attacks had been repulsed
without difficulty. The English were
gradually closing in on Cronje, who was
iairly well-protected and supplied with
provisions, but whose ammunitio on was
said to be getting low. From Natal it
was reported that Buffers progress to-
ward Ladysmith continued, he being
within two miles of communication with
ghe garrison. These two miles are said
however, to offer the most serious OBJ
stacles to an advancing army. The
British have begun to take prisoners in
numbers, which they had
uot previously done to any extent dur
ing the war.
Tuesdays news was to the effect that
Cronje's force at Paardeburg had secure
~ entrenched itself by digging bomb
proofs in the hillsides along the river.
de was prepared to hold Roberts at bay
rs long as possible to permit the Boer
forces to concentrate in front of Bloem-
iontein. President Steyn of the Orange
Free State is said to have advised Krug
er to sue for peace, and the burghers at
want to dispense and defend
Gheir farms,
Butler was reported to be fighting hard
in front of Ladysmith, and Photograph
message from the beleaguered town stat
ed that larger rations were being issued
to the garrison in view of the probable
ity of early relief. The Boer govern
ment at Pretoria are paying their war
bills in gold bars, the mint having been
Ilosed.
Tuesday afternoon it was announced
that at daylight on that day Gen Cronje
mad surrendered his entire army uncon-
litionally to Lord Roberts. The news
was received with great rejoicing in
England, particularly as it came on the
of the British defeat at Ma
uba Hill, Feb. 27, 1881. Cronies army
Vt the time of the surrender was reduced
q 5000 men.
Wednesday brought fuller particulars
If Cronje's surrender. Along with the
,aptured army Roberts took Is pieces
If first class artillery and several officers
# high rank, including Maj Albrecht
he famous German artilleryman, and
Maj. Won DEWITT, "a distinguished German
'fficer responsiblefor most of the splendid
work of the Beers. Roberts,
dispatch gave high praise to the Canad-
an troops under his command. stating