Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-02-24
GEarly Dispatched


crease Of e92S,lOo, providing for an in
crease Of 22O officers and 1920 men for
new ships. 1t is proposed 10 build two |
new batteships, six frst-class cruisers,
a second-class cruiser, two twin-screw
sloops, two gunboats and two torpedo
boats.
Negotiations are in progress for the
formation Of naval reserve in Canada.
the difficulty created by the require
ment OF six months training on a man.
of-war being one Of the conditions Of
service In the United Kingdom, which,
It is thought, will be overcome.
There will be under construction in
1900 seventeen battleships, twenty ar
mored cruisers, a third-class cruiser,
eight sloops, two gunboats, four tor
pedo boats and twenty-onet torpedo boat
destroyers.
CRoNJE's SPLENDID FIGHT
New York, Feb. 2i.-Accordlng TO
adyices from London to the New York
papers there are rumors aaoat that
Ladysmith and Mafeking have been re-
lieyed and II is again reported that
Cronje has surrendered
The war Office however, has not con-
firmed any OF these stories. There IL
much excitement In the streets about
the war office and the newspaper off,
ces and the rumors Of British victories
are received with more credence than
heretofore
The splendid fight Of Cronje has ex-
cited warm admiration IN London, but
the belief Is general that his struggle
Is hopeless. II 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 men.
ton OF the capture Of Boer big guns.
OF all the artillery about Magerfon-
TEN and Kimberley only one disabled
l2-pounder was found when the Brit
ish occupied the ground.
GOT HIS ARTILLERY AWAY.
It is said that CronJe started all the
guns from their places, with orders 10
get them across the Vaal, as soon as
he learned that Lord Roberts was in
command at Modder river with rein
forcements and moved himself. with all
the mounted Beers, as soon as he
learned Of General French's movement
in his rear
Observers I'm London think he went
as far as he could then picked a po-
stion and determined to sit tight. until
assured that their artillery had es-
capped.
ONLY A REAR GUARD.
The reinforcements Lord Roberts re-
ports having scattered so easily are
said TO have been the Boer rear guard
and artillery train, which was covering
the movement 10 the north and east
There are no reports Of any artillery fire
In response TO the British attack at
Koodoosrand.
Cronje's plan appears 10 be TO hold
all the British possible about his camp
til certain his artillery's retreat Is as
sured
The proposed armistice would have
gained twenty-four hours for the re-
treat Of the guns. while the agreement
would only have covered the fighting
force engaged at that point
Boer sympathizers think Cronje will
hold fast until the last moment, and
that then the order will be given
every man for himself" with instruc-
tons TO rally az a point north where
the artillery vii be safe In a new posi-
ton
II Is Insisted that this plan was fol.
lowed about Ladysmth, the guns being
slowly and safely removed to defend
the Transyaal passes. while mobile
force was left In the trenches 10 prevent
sudden attack by the British
BOERs' LAST CHANCE.
All the military writer's agree that
Cronjes only chance lies In a power
full diversion In his favor by Dutch
relr forcements drawn from Natal,
Colesberg and Stormberg Three Brit
Ism brigades We're IN action on Sunday
and Monday, with another OF FTench's
cavalry in reserve.
II twenty thousand burghers from
Natal and ten thousand more from the
southern frontier could be suddenly
concentrated against Cronje's besiegers.
his deliverance might be effected, or al
least the issue Of the tragic struggle at
Koodoosrand would be left in doubt.
Cen Roberts would have two brigades
Of the seventh division available as a
reserve against this concentration, and
possibly another from the first division.
although he has a line Of communica-
ton 20 be guarded for twenty-five or
thirty miles from Modder river station.
From 5000 20 10000 men could be
massed by Lord Roberts In an emer-
gency about Koodoosrand. There Is
no evidence yet that Dutch concentra-
ton has taken place In that quarter
on a large scale.
Pretoria reports stated that 5000
Beers have gone from Natal into the
Free State. This estimate may not be
included in the Free State forces re-
firing westward by Harrlsmith and |
Bethlehem.
DUTCH RETIRE FROM CoLEsBERG.
The Dutch forces have disappeared
from the Colesberg and Stormberg dis
tricts where the British columns. thin
as they are, can now advance cautious
ly toward the Orange river But the
strength Of the achievements available
FOR Cronje's assistance from that quar-
ter Is conjectural. 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 Koo1oosrand,
since that policy Will enable Gen. Rob
erts 10 deliver a crushing blow with his
own forces heavily massed a short dis
lance from their railway base. Other
wise they say Cronje's surrender will
be followed by tedious campaign
through the enemy's country with long
lines OF communication TO be main !
tanned.
CRoNJE's SITUATION.
New York. Feb. 2i.--Philip l. Wes-
sells, a prominent merchant OF Boem- !
fontein. Orange Free State. has arrived |
IN this city. He Is q brother Of c. II. |
Vessels. chairman Of the war council Of |
the Orange Free State. Two OF his |