Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-02-28
cRQNJt SURREADERS
TO GENERAL ROBERTS.
GAVE UP HIS HOPELESS POSITION
ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF
MAJUBA HILL.
HAD BECOME IMPOSSIBLE
FOR GEN. CRONJE'S FORCES TO Es-
CAPE OR SECURE RELIEF &
They Were Hemmed in On All Sides
and the Superior Forces of the
British Were Drawing Closer the
Gordon of Bayonets and Field
Artillery-The Surrender UncOn-
Acknowledgement Cronjes To Be
Sent to Cape Town.

LONDON, February 27.-It IL OFF,
cially announced that Gen. CrOnje
surrendered with his whole force,
Internationally, at. daylight, this
morning. The War Office received
the following dispatch from Lord
Roberts;
"PAARDEBERG, February ~, TAB
a. m.-Gen. CrOnJe and all of his
force capituIated Internationally at
daylight, and is now a prisoner in
my camp. The strength of his force
will be communicated later. hope
that her majesty's government will
consider this event satisfactory, Oc-
curing, 1T does. on the anniver-
sary of Majuba."
LONDON, February 81, 500 d. M
The War Office has received the fol-
lowing dispatch from Lord Roberts:
"PAARDEBERG, IL O'Clock Tues
day mOrring.-From information
furnished daily to me by the inteIli-
gence department it became appar-
emit that Gen. Cronje's force was be-
coming more depressed and that
the discomfort of the troops and the
discord among the leaders were rap
idly increasing. This feeling was
doubtless accentuated by the disap-
pOintment caused when the Boer re-
Inducements which tried to relieve
Gen. CrOnje were defeated by our
troops on February 23. resolved,
therefore, to bring pressure to bear
on the enemy. Each night the
trenches were pushed forward tow
ard the enemy's lager so as to
gradually contract his position and
at the same time L bOmbarded it
heavily with artillery, which was
yesterday materially aided by the
arrival of four six-inch howitzers
which L had ordered up from De
Aar. In carrying out these meas
ures a captive balloon gave great
assistance by keeping us informed
of the dispositions and movements
of the enemy. At three n. m. to-day,
a most dashing advance was made
by the Canadian regiment and some
engineers, supported by the First
Gordon HighIanders. and Second
Shropshires, resulting in our gain
ing point some six hundred yards
nearer the enemy and within eighty
yards of his trenches, where our
men entrenched themselves and
maintained their positions till
morning, a gallant deed worthy of
our colonial comrades and which, L
am glad to say, was attended by
comparatively slight loss.
''This apparently clfnched mat
ters, for, at daylight to-day, a letter
signed by Gen. CrOnje, in which he
stated that he surrendered uncOn-
hitionalIy, was brought to our out
posts under a flag of truce.
Gin my reply L told Gen. Cronje
he must present himself Mt my
camp and that his forces must come
out of their lager after laying
down their arms. by n. m. 1 re-
Ceived Gen. CrOnje and dispatched a
telegram to you announcing the
fact. In the course of conversation
he asked for kind treatment at our
hands, and also that his wife,
grandson, private secretary, adju-
tant and servants might accompany
him wherever he might be sent.
re-assured him and told him his re-
quest would be complied with.
Informed him that general officer
would be sent with him to Cane
Town, to ensure his being treated
with proper respect en- route. He
charge of Major General Prettyman,
who will hand him over to the gem
eraI commanding at Cape Town.
"The prisoners, who number
about 5000, will be formed into
commanders under our own officers.
They will also leave here to-day.
reaching the MOdder river to-mor.
row, when they will be rallied to
Cape Town in detachments."
The above dispatch was read in both
the House of Lords and the House of
Commons to-day. The reference to
the Canadians evoked immense and
prolonged cheering.
LONDON, February 27.-6:25 D. m
ut is now announced that Lord Rob
erts has notified the war office that
the number of Boer prisoners approx
mates four thousand, of which num-
Der 1,150 are citizens of the Orange
Free State. The remainder are citi-
zens of the Transvaal
Twenty-Five Transvaal officers were
captured and eighteen Free State Off
GERS were made prisoners.
The guns captured from the Trans
vaal forces were three centimetre
Krups, one 9-pounder and one Maxim
gun.
From the Free Staters the British
captured one rs centimetre Krupp and
one Maxim gun.
CAUSED GREAT JUBILATION !,