The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-03-02

AS
cape Town., February 26--The Cana
dian transport Pomeranian, from Hail.
TAX January 9th. with another con-
tingent of Canadian troops on board.
has arrived here.
CRONJE'S MEN IN BOMBPROOFS.
London, February 26.-Dispatches
from Paardeberg show that General
Cronje's forces ave far more protec-
ton from Field Marshal Lord Roberts
heavy fire than at first indicated. A
special dispatch from Paardeberg,
published in the second edition of The
Daily Chronicle and dated Saturday,
February oath, says: "A balloon has
discovered the enemy well covered by
a system of burrowing in the river
bank, which resembles a rabbitt war
rem n affords shell-proof positions"
1t will be much OF a surprise il to-
day and tomorrow, which is the ami
versary of Majuba hill, pass without
being marked by tho surrender or an
nihila ton of the gallant band SO over
whelmingly hemmed in, though the
lOoseness of the investment appears
open to criticism. Small bodies OF
Beers, apparently, are able to make
their escape, causing comparison here
between the Boer methods of invest
ment, with their quickly dug. surround
ing trenches, impossible barbed wire.
ETC., and those of the British.
Lord Roberts holds a position al
most analogous with that held SO long
by the Beers at Ladysmith. AS Gen.
eral Cronje is reported to have plenty
of food, the plan Of starving him out
can scarcely avail, as Lord Roberts
must either wait until his ammunition,
which is said to be short, runs out, or
those of General Cronje's force who
are counselling surrender prevail. So
indefinite is the Information that eth
er of these may occur at
any moment.
Meanwhile, Lord Roberts engineers
are sapping steadily towards the Boer
laager and, according to a special from
Paardeberg, dated Sunday, February
25th, the Gordon is gradually drawing
closer.
BUTLER STUBBORNLY RESISTED.
General Buffers march on Ladysmith
is being marked by sharp fighting. A
Pietermaritzburg dispatch of today's
date says he is still heavily engaged in
fighting. In Grobler's kloof General
Butler seems to have discovered a
hornets nest.
In Cape Colony, the British arms are
steadily advancing. Barkley East is
now in their possession, according to
a dispatch from that district, the Beers
e~vacuating the place, retreating on
Lady Grey and wiring President Steyn
for reinforcements to prevent their
surrender.
ANNIVERSARY OF MAJUBA HILL.
The Pretoria government proclaimed
February 25th and 9th days of
giving and prayer, presumably in mem
DRY of the battle of Majuba hill.
a dispatc from Kimberley says its
inhabitants have planned to erect a
statue to Cecil Rhodes, in recognition
of his services during the siege.
NATIVES ATTACK BOERS.
Lourenzo Marques, Monday, Febru-
airy ga dispatch from Gaberones
dated Thursday, February 22nd says:
Chief Linchwo has reported that he
made reprisals from the Beers near
Sequani, killing a few men and captur-
ing several wagons and oxen. There
were some sualtie on both sides.
THE Beers at Croncodile pools noti-
ded Colonel Plumer, that fearing the
natives would attack the wounded,
they had placed their hospital within
the laager. Colonel Plume replied
that the ambulance would, of course,
be respected; but the Beers, he said,
could not expect good behavior from
the natives while they were invading
the territory of the natives"
ATTEMPT TO RELIEVE CRONJE.
Paardeberg, Saturday, February %.
Yesterday there was a most interest
ing series of fights along the British
front. One thousand Beers,
: ed by General Dewet who were known
to be operating in the immediate front,
at early dawn yesterday determined
to attempt to break through the Brit
/ ish lines to aid General CrOnje. A
body of 500 Beers moved toward the
! British left and cantered in the direc-
/! ton of a kopje with the object of oc-
p! cupying it. Unfortunately for the
! Beers, however, the kopje was held by
| a of Scottish borderers who
onAna1 n hnnu- fro Tho RnprS pal -
| loped off, but moved again towards
| another British position, with exactly
the same result. Then they made a
third attempt to occupy another posi-
ton, but the borderers were again
ready to receive them. The third re-
pulse thoroughly disconnected the
Beers, who galloped away in a panic.
Later, p~erceiving another kopje the
Beers moved quickly toward it. This
kopje was unoccupied, but the border
ers, not to be beaten, raced the Beers
for the position and won, occupying
the kopje and driving off the Beers.
A portion of the latter ultimately oc-
cupied a kopje flanked partially by
the borderers and facing another
kopje held by the Yorkshires. A Wig
orous fusillade ensued, the British fir
ing accurately and succeeding In
%silencing the Boer fire. Meanwhile,
the Bluffs were ordered to reinforce the
YorkShireS in case the Beers should
be reinforced. The British attack
worked around to the right of the
kopje held by the Yorkshires, where
the Seventh battery was stationed, the
Sixty-second battery being placed at
a farm near the center of the border
ers' position. A vigorous Smelling, ac-
companied by a British fusillade, COM
pletely silenced the Beers. A company
of Yorkshires were sent to clear out
the Beers, but the attempt failed, the
Beers opening a heavy fire. and the
British having no over.
The British then again opened a
heavy rifle fire which silenced the
Beers. The Beers made several at
tempts to run, but the Maxims opened
upon them effectually, and checked
them. The Bluffs now worked careful
ly and cautiously around and got with
in $50 yards of the Beers. Eighty
Beers surrendered, but many, it ap-
pears, escaped, going singly.
BOERS USE EXPLOSIVE BULLETS.
Most of the prisoners had just ar
rived from Ladysmith. They COM
plaipad Of the had peDaralSbip of that,