Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-23
Impossible for Cronje to Escape From
Present Position.
HIS LAAGER SWEPT BY ARTILLERY
Boer Commander Declares He
Will Fight to Finish.
CASUALTIES LAST SUNDAY

LONDON. February 23.-Every hour is
expected to bring news of General Cronje' )
surrender. On all sides wonder is ex-
pressed that the gallant Yet ghastly battle
at Paardeberg Drift has not yet ended in
what is considered to he the inevitable
With fifty guns bearing upon the devoted
band within the terribly short range of
1000 yards, surrender or utter annihila tion
can be the only result. unless all reports
OF the strength of the Boer reinforcements
are wrong. The critics canvas every un-
toward contingency that can affect Field
Marshal Roberts and see nothing that can
save General Cronje from the terrible wise
in which he has been caught.
Even an Unexpectedly strong attack on
Lord Roberts lines of communication could
scarcely, according to these experts, ma
tertally alter the result. Rumors were cur
rent this morning that the end of the strug-
gle had actually come. but these emanated
from information received by the Roths-
childS. which they subsequently discovered
to be utterly without foundation.
The severe losses incurred by General
kelly-kenny Sunday have produced some
adverse criticisms, but II is pointed out
that had he fought less furiously he would
have given the Beers the opportunity to
intrench themselves and perhaps effect fur
ther flight TO more advantageous position.
smith Is so slow that il scarcely appeals to
public interest. General White appears to
be sun full Of fight and 10 be endeavoring
TO assist GeSeral Butler By a vigorous
bombardment. .
Advices received at Gaze Town yesterday
said it was reported the BrfrlSh were grad
ually driving the Beers out OF northern
Cape Colony and that many of the bursh-
ers had recrossed the Orange river.
Dom Paul Is Alarmed
LORENZO MARQUES. Delagoa Bay,
Thursday. February 2o-The TransvaaI
government is reported to be seriously
alarmed at the defeat of the Beers at kim
heriey and the retreat Of their famous gen.
eral. Cronje- The newspapers are most rett-
cent, but the Standard and Diggers' News
claims that General Cr0nje-s movement is
beneficial, as it Increases the mobility of
the burghers army. enabling it to conduct
pr pared plan
There are persistent reports that the seat
OF the Free State government is being re-
moved to Wynburg
II Is also said that 5000 burghers have
been sent from Ladysmit:l 10 Bl0ernfontein
Boers Retire From Arundel.
ARUNDEL, Thursday. February %
Col. Hendersor's squadron of the Inniskill-
ings. with TWO guns reconnoftered west
ward to MoOifontein farm. on the direct
road to Colesberg and Hanover They got
close to the Beers in the hills and wera
fired on They quickly got their guns in
position and shelled the hills EventraIIv
the Boes were driven out. retiring north
ward. when they came under fire Of two
othrF guns supported by a COMPANY of
Australians near the British we1tern most
on Drago"n Hill Col. Henderson procae64d
10 Siooltontein farm, which he now ocau-
PIES. The British patrols from Hanover
also came out that far The Beers are rot
IN great force. They have been persistentIy
followed all day long and have withdrawn
" considerable distance nOrthward.
The Casualties Last Sunday
LONDON. February 23-The official re-
port gives 1lG men killed at Paardeberg
bFiit Sunday. February is, including six
ty-three Highlanders and eighteen Cana
dams. ana