Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-02-26
UNDER RIVERS BANKS.
British Discover General Cronje's
Army to Have Constructed
Novel Defenses.
The Boer Soldiers Have Burrowed
In the Rivers Banks For
Protection.
Whole Force Practically Living I'm
der Ground and Holding Back
the British.

the British.
London, Feb. 26.--1f the latest dis
patches throw any light on the situa-
tion the Beers appear to have more
protection from Roberts heavy fire than
at first supposed. y special u the
Chronicle from Paardeberg, dated Sat
uriay, the 2ath. says: "A balloon dis
covered the enemy we'll covered by
syster of burrowing in the bank which
resembles the rabbit, and affords shell
proof POSITIONS AS C'ronje Is reported
to have plenty of food the plan of starry
ing him out will scarcely avail, 50 Rob
erts must either wait until his ammuni-
ton, which is said to be short, runs out
or those of Gronje's forces who are
counseling surrender prevail. Either of
these alternatives may occur at any
time.
Buffers march on Ladysmith is mark
ed with hard fighting. A Pietermaritz-
burg dispatch of today's date says he is
still heavily engaged lighting.
In Cape Colony the British are stead
lily advancing. Barkley East IS now in
their possession, according to a dispatch
from that district, the Boers evacuating
the place and retreating ON Lady Grey
and wiring President Steyn for rein
forcements TO prevent their surrender.
Paardeberg, Saturday Feb. 24.-Ies-
terday there was a most interesting
series of fights along the British front
~ Il, 80,
Dewet, who is known to be operating
in the immediate front, at early dawn
yesterday determined to attempt break
thru the British lines and aid 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-
cupying it. Unfortunately for the
Beers the kopje was held by a company
OF Scottish borderers. who opened a
heavy fire. The Beers galloped off. but
moved again toward another Brit
ish position with exactly the same re-
suit They made a third attempt to
occupy . position. but We're again re-
pulsed and galloped away in panic.
Later. perceiving another kopje, the
Beers moved quickly toward it. This
kopje was unoccupied, but the border
I,
for the position and Won, occupying the
position and driving off the Beers. A
portion of the latter ultimately occu-
pied the kopje, hanked partially by the
borderers and facing another kopje
held by the Yorkshires. A vigorous
fusilade followed. the British firing
accurately, and succeeded in silencing
the Boer fire. a company
of Yorkshires was sent 10
clear out the Beers, but the attempt
failed, the ers>opening a heavy fire
and the British having no cavalry. The
British then again opened a heavy rifle
fire. which again silenced the Beers
The Beers made several attempts tc
run, but the Maxims opened upon them
effectually and checked them Eight
Beers surrendered but many escaped
going singly. Most of the prisoners had
just arrived from Ladysmith. They
complained of bad generalship of theil
leader. Nearly every man carried
explosive bullets and five British Were
wounded With these missils. There Is
no longer the slightest doubt that tiis
Beers ara gradually discarding all rule:
of civilized warfare. The other day
they poured the contents Of Il Yickers,
Maxim gun into an ambulance which
happened, however, " De empty. SOM
200 yards away from the nearest troops
The war balloon is doing excellent sery-
ice Early this morning it arose To
great height and discovered in the bet
of the river four wagons which con
tanned ammunition. These We're ex
ploded by British shells an hour after
wards. A balloon observer also discov
cred a number of horses concealed nea
by and these also received attention
from British shrapnel.
Buller's Casualties.
London. Feb 26.-Buller, in dis
patch from Colenso. dated sunday
Feb %, reports the British casualtie
Feb 20 as twelve killed and ninety
nine wounded among the Somerset
and Dorsets. and that Feb % and Fet
% twelve officers We're wounded.