The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-26
HEROIC DEFENSE.
Continued from First Page.)

NCoAllHuSO 1dSS-J
Spenser Wilkinson. reviewing the mil
itary situation in the Morning Post,
says:
THE probabilities are that the Beers
have not been able to collect large
force to attack Lord Roberts. General
CronJe's surrender may occur at any
moment, but the BOer commander knows
what he is doing. He is not sacrificing
lives for nothing. Every day he can
hold out means the delay of a day in
Lord Roberts advance, and the gain of
day for the besiegers of Ladysmith-
Therefore, Lord Roberts is acting
rightly in Tightening his grip in order
to hasten the removal of Gen CronJes
force, and Gen Buffers steady advance
is the best help that can be given Lord
Roberts,
Perhaps never before in the course of
the present campaign have such crowds
visited the war office as went there
Sunday. AS the Times remarks today;
THE dearth of news is somewhat try
ing at time when a considerable sue
cess was generally regarded as imrn1-
nent"
No dimunition of confidence in Lord
Roberts is felt, however, and the public
is ready to believe that he has good
reasons for not mentioning 6en CronJe
in the official dispatches. Probably he
is in no hurry to end a situation which
is daily bringing small parties of Beers
in a vain endeavor to reinforce General
Cronje. These he can deal with in de-
tail.
Lord Roberts has already captured
over 500 Beers and at this rate he will
soon have a respectable array OF prls-
oners to hold as hostages for the 5000
British already in Pretoria
Gen. Cronje's refusal to accept the
offer of Lord Roberts regarding the wo-
men and children indicates either that
the position is less desperate than has
| been supposed, or that he has been able
to dig an absolutely safe place for
| them.
Everything goes to show that General
| Buffers advance is most stubbornly
! contested and most cautiously carried
/ out.
1t is hoped that he will soon be in a
! position where Gen. White will be able
| to assist him materially.
The campaign is now approaching a
| most interesting phase. In about a fort
night the congress of the Afrikander
! bund will meet and it is rumored that
Mr.. Hofmeyer will then propose peace
terms on the basis of the republics alb
| solute independence, but offering to dis
arm. If these terms are rejected, 1t IS
understood that a manifesto Will be
boldly issued to the Dutch throughout
South Africa, calling upon them to
throw off all allegiance to Great Brit
ain.
Probably these rumors are exaggera-
ted, but there is no doubt that the
greatest anxiety prevails in Cape Town
regarding coming events.
Germany. through the semi official
/ Berliner Post, reiterateS that all reports
of German intervention are quite with
out foundation.
Captain Raymond Harvey De Mont
morency, who was killed in Gen. Cat
acres reconnaissance Saturday, was the
heir of Viscount Frankfort de Mont
mOrency, and was the fourth heir to a
peerage who has fallen in the course OF
the campaign.
CITADEL IN A RIVER BED.
London, Feb 26.-The Leader says:
up till Saturday night Cronje seems to
have held out. It is strange that he
should have elected to have a citadel IN
a river bed, with heavy rains due any
day All we have been able to do is to
wound him with artillery, now nearer 7(
than so guns.
The militia are now arriving at the
cape and they viii be able to release the
regulars on the lines of communication
| who can be pushed to Roberts, elements
and Gatacre's aid.
Butler burrows forward, but the en-
envy around Ladysmith is not yet in Z
hurry to be gone.
1T is rumoreds that Butler and Rob
erts are waiting to strike the final blow
simultaneously on Majuba.''
The Leaders expert compares the
Transvaal with Scotland and says tina
often armies that are broken into guer
years
RULERS LOSSES
London, Feb. 26.-Gen. Butler in
dispatch from Colenso, dated Sunday
> February %, reports that the BIRTHS
casualties February 20 were twelv
killed and ninety-nine wounded anon
the Somersets and Dorsets, and tina
, February % and February % twelv
1 officers were wounded.