The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-26
Gen. CrOnje With a Little Army
of 1000 Men
Still Holds at Bay Roberts
Force of $4,000.
WILL NEVER GIVE UP.
That is What Those Say Whe
Know Him Best.
He is Commanding the Admira-
tiOn of the World.

New York. Feb. pa dispatch to the
Journal and Advertiser from London,
says:
J. B. Robinson, the African millionaire
miner said today: Il have known Cron-
5e long and intimately and I wish
could now shake his hand and tell him
how much 1 in common, I believe. with
every Englishman, admire the courage
he has shown.
He may be our foe, but England is
generous enough to recognize the good
qualities of the man fighting against
her.
"Cronjer and his 1000 men have GER
tainly revealed a heroism never sur
passed in the history of our race. Sur
rounded by an army of $4,000 men with
11O guns continually pouring shells on
their position they have stood at bay
for days. 1t is only what those of US
who know the man expected of Cronje-
He will never of his own will, sur
render. He may be compelled by his
men refusing to fight any longer, but of
that I am very doubtful. He is sup
ported by the old guard Of the Trans
vaal.
NO Boer has such influence over his
followers. They believe him invincible
They almost worship him. The slight
est sign of shrinkage from any one un-
der him brings a few words from the
general that cut like whip cord and
brace up the waverer like a moral tonic.
THE people at home do not seem able
to understand how Cronje has bid de-
Aance to Roberts army for many days.
L believe he can if his men only stand
by him, resist for weeks.
has made for ba sUOt xT1arp "a
is now intrenched for two reasons:
First, he wanted to be as near Bloem-
fontein as possible, because his relief
would come from there. Next, he was
aware that the situation he now holds
was the best fitted for defense. It is in
the bend of the river and that means
luucm OF shelter. The South African
rivers are not like English rivers. Here
the waters come to the top OF the
banks; in South Africa the steep sides
mount up 10, 20 and even 80 feet above
the water.
In these banks caves can be easily
made in which men and stores can be
placed. As soon as CrOnje reached this
spot he Speeded the defensive prepara,-
tions. Stores having been put away,
each man would dig a shelter trench
and If it had not been cor these trenches
the men must all have been quickly an
initiated by our artillery fire. Each
shelter trench not only goes down, but
mas a part ScOOpeQ OUT at the SIDE IN
which a man can lie in safety While
lyddite and shrapnel are pouring on the
earth above Unless a shell actually
falls in a trench, it does the man no
damage.
'In these trenches the Beers lie, a few
men being placed as sentries above. The
moment the sentry gives the alarm up
the men spring and pour rifle fire on
any stOrming party
THE FIGHTING AT PAARDEBERG.
London, Feb. 26. 5:S5 p. m.-The war
office publishes the following dispatch
from Lord Roberts:
''Paardeberg, Feb. "a, 1920 p. m.-Par-
ties of Beers recently arrived from
Natal attacked our Outposts in force
again yesterday. They lost a good
many Killed and wounded and nearly
100 prisoners, including a. commandant
and three field cOrnetS. Our casualties
were four officers wounded, nine men
killed, tWenty-three men wounded. two
men missing. On the 21st and 22d one
officer and thirteen men were wounded.
Six men We're wounded yesterday by
hOllOw-nosed Mauser bullets. The
nickel cases slit with four Sits, making
the projectile of the most expansive and
explosive nature possible. A wounded
BOer brought to our hospital yesterday
had sixty Of these bullets in his pockets.
During the advance to and at Kim
berley the casualties were: Officers two
killed, thirteen wounded; men, four
killed, seventy-eight wounded.
'Methuen reports that BarkIy West
was occupied by our troops on Feb
ruary %. The loyal inhabitants dis
played much enthusiasm.
1.-THE country west of the railway
from Cape Town to Kimberley is grad
ually settling down. A detachment has
started from De Aar for Britstown; and
Douglas and Prieska will shortly be
visited by our troops.
"Methuen's account of the admirable
manner in which the Kimberley hos
pitaI is managed made me desire to
send some of our sick and wounded
there"
The British took eighty prisoners as
the result Of yesterdays engagement.
A balloon aseended and discovered
several new works, which the British
guns shelled today
Gen. Cronje's position is more hope
less than ever. Our guns dominate the
slOping ascents from the river on all
sides, and by the rush of the Shrop-
shires on Wednesday night up the river
bed the Beers lost 200 yards space in
their cover
Deserters say the British fire has been
very deadly, and affirm that Gen.
Cronje himself is willing to surrender,
but is overborne by the young Beers
from the TransvaaL
There are women and children with
the Boer force. Gen. Roberts proposed
to let them pass out of danger. but
this suggestion, as well as the proffeT
of medical aid, has been rejected.
The kOpje captured by the British last
Wednesday, when fifty prisoners were
taken. is a most important strategical
position. It's possession should enable
as to repulse any Boer reinfOreements
from the eastward.
The British are gradually closing in
upon Gen. Cronje from all sides.
During the course of last night, the
British artillery poured in several
rounds. There was a terrible rain and
thunderstorm early in the evening.
The Canadians were heavily engaged