The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1900-03-09

troops Will Immediately go out and the
effective force will be kept near 2OO,-
600.
Lord Roberts has done more than to
capture 1000 Eoers and q few guns.
He is within striking distance of one
Of the Boer capitals and is master of n
large district of the Free State. He
has given a shock to the Boer conf
deEce and UNNECESSARILY restored the
spirit OF his own troops In capturing
Cronje he has taken leader whose
preseLcc alone was worth thousands
TO the Boer cause. The hest opinion
here is that the Transvaaicrs are Ger.
tain to continue the fight with
Undiminished valor,
but it is not so certain about the Free
Staters. Lord Roberts has not allowed
the corps OF descriptive writer's with
him to supplement his plain narrative
as yet, and there are some points in
doubt. 1t is not clear whether the
1000 prisoners include those taken in
small parties before the captulation.
What has become of the rest of the
Beers who held the Magersfontein
line, and where are the big guns? The
sE.allness of Cronje's force causes
some wonlcrment The morning pa
pers, without exception, comment on
the achievement Of the Boer leader and
men in holding off TO: ten days force
from six to eight times as big as their
own. British opinion is far more in
dulgent in victory than in defeat.
Sir Redvcrs Butler is having 4 hard
time in Natal. 1t appears now that
after forty-cght hours of fighting that
1,c ~1yi,n t1,o%
there was only weak rear guard be-
tween him and Ladysmith. Probably
some severe fighting took place at the
end OF last week, as an armisticc was
| agreed upon for the purpose of attend
Both sides must have lost heavily. At
Buffers success.
Of the siege Of the Ladysmith garrison,
which is seemingly in IL position where
it is unable to do anything to help
Gen. Butler.
How 1t Was Done.
The war office received the following
dispatch from Lord Roberts:
''Paardeberg, II u. m.-From infor-
nation furnished daily to me by the in
telligence department it became appar-
ent that Gen. Cronje's force was be-
coming more depressed and that the
discomfort Of the troops and the dis
cord among the leaders were rapidly
increasing. This feeling was doubt
less accentuated by the disappointment
caused when the Boer reinforcements
which tried 10 relieve Cronje We're de-
feated by our troops ON Feb. %. re-
solved therefore to bring pressure to
beal upon the enemy. Each night the
trenches We're pushed forward toward
the enemy's lager SO as to gradually
contract their position. At the same
time l bombarded it heavily with ar.
1illery, which was yesterday material
ly aided by the arrival of four six-inch
hoWitzers, which I had ordered up
from De Aar. In carrying out these
measures captive balloon gave great
assistance by keeping us informed of
the dispositions and movements of the
enemy.
4 Canadian Advance.
AT . Il. III. most dashing advance
was made by the Canadian regiment
and some engineers, supported by the
First Gordon Highlanders and Second
Shropshircs, resulting in our gaining
point some GOO yards nearer the enemy
and within about eighty yards of his
trenches. where our men intrenched
themselves and remained until morn
ing, q gallant deed worthy Of our col
onlal comrades. and which, l am glad
to say, was attended by comparatively
slight loss. This apparently clinched
matters, for at daylight letter signed
by Gen. Cronje, in which he stated that
he surrendered unconditionally. was
brought to our outposts under a flag
OF truce. In reply, l told Gen. Cronie
he must present himself at my camp,
and that his forces must come out of
their laager after laying down their
arms. BY a. m. received Gen.
CroEje and dispatched a telegram to
you announcing the fact. He will be
sent this afternoon to Cape Town under
charge Of Maj. Gen. Prettyman, who
will hand him over to the general CON-
manding at that place. The prisoners,
who number about 5000, will be
formed into commandos under our own
officers. They will all leave here to-
day, reaching the Modder river to-mor.
row. when they will be rallied to Cape
Town In detachments."
Lord Roberts later notified the war
Office that the number Of Boer prison
ers epproximates 1000, Of which about
1,150 are citizens Of the Orange Free
State. The remainder are citizens Of
the TraEsvaal.
| Kaiser Sends CONGRATULATIONS.
London, March LIT is understood
that the queen and prince of Wales
have received a telegram Of generous
congratulation from Emperor William
on the victory at Paardeberg. King
Humbert' and Queen Margherita also
wired congratulations to the queen.
| Forei9neFs Leaving the Tran.yaal.
London, March 1.-The Lourenzo Mar