Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-02-24
CRONJE PLAYING
DESPERATE GAME
IN B0ER TACTICS.

New York, Feb. 24.-According to ad-
vices from London to the New York
papers there are rumors afloat that
Ladysmith and Mafeking have been re-
lieved, and it is again reported that
Cronje has surrendered. The war office,
however, has not confirmed any of these
stories.
There Is much excitement in the streets
about the war Office and the newspaper
offices, and the rumors of British VIC
tories are received with more credence
than heretofore. The splendid fighting
of Cronje has excited warm admiration
in London, but the belief is general that
his struggle is hopeless. 1t is believed
in London by many war experts that
Cronje Is playing a desperate game Of
shrewd Boer tactics.
So far no report contains any mention
of the capture of Boer big gums. OF all
the artillery about Magersfontein and
Kimberley only one disabled 12-pounder
was found when the British occupied the
ground.
1t is said that Cronje started all the
guns from their places, with orders to
get them across the vaal as soon as he
learned that Lord Roberts was in COM
mand at Modder river with reinforce
ments, and moved himself with all the
mounted Beers as soon as he learned of
General French's movement in his rear.
Observers in London think he went as
far as he could, then picked a position
and determined to sit tight until assured
that their artillery had escaped.
The reinforcements Lord Roberts re-
ports having scattered SO easily are said
to have been the Boer rear guard and ar
tillery train. which was covering the
movement to the north and east. There
are no reports of an artillery fire in re-
sponse to the British attack at Koodoos
rand. Cronje's plan appears to be to
hold all the British possible about his
camp until certain his artillery retreat
Is assured.
The proposed armistice would have
gained "a hours for the retreat of the
guns, while the engagement would only
have covered the fighting force engaged
at that point. Boer sympathizers think
Cronje will hold fast till the last mo-
ment and that then the order will be
given "eVery man for himself" with in-
structions to rally at a point north, where
the artillery will be safe in a new posi-
tion 1t is insisted that this plan was
followed about Ladysmith, the guns be-
ing slowly and safely removed to de-
fend the Transvaal passes, while a mo-
bile force was left in the trenches to
prevent sudden attack by the British.
All the military writer's agree that
Cronje's only chance lies in a powerful
diversion in his favor by Dutch REIN
forcements drawn from Natal Colesberg
and Stormberg. Three British brigades
were in action on Sunday and Monday,
with another of French's cavalry in re-
serve.
If 10000 burghers from Natal and 1000
more from the southern frontier could
be suddenly concentrated against Gem
eral Cronje's besiegers his deliverance
might be effected. General Roberts would
have two brigades of the seventh divi-
sion available as a reserve against this
and possibly another from
the first division. There Is no evidence
yet that Dutch contraction has taken
place. Pretoria reports stated that 5000
Beers have gone from Natal into the
Free State. THE Dutch forces have dis |
from the Colesberg and Storm
berg districts.
Well informed men in close touch with /
the war office agree that the best thing
that can happen for the British side is
The concentration of the entire Dutch |
army al Koodoos rand, since that policy |
will enable General Roberts to deliver a |
crushing blow with his own forces
nassed a short distance from their rail- |
way base. Otherwise, they say, Cronjes |
surrender will be followed by tedious /
through the enemy's country,
With long lines of communication to be