The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-02-25
RuMoR STILL MAINTAINS.
Cronje Said to Have Surrendered aud
Ladysmith Relieved.

Z NEW YORK, Feb. q. According 10
advIces from London to the New York
papers. there are ruinors anoat that
! Ladysmith ana Mafeking have been
relieved. and Il u again reported that
Cronje has surrendered The war Of
nee. however, ras 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 .lctories are received with
more credenoe than heretofore. The
splendid light Of Cronjc has excited
warm admiration In London but the
belief is general that his struggle is
hopeless Il Is believed in London b.
many war experts that Cronje Is play
ing desperate game Of shrexd Boer
tactics.
So far no report contains any men
tion OF the capture Of Boer big guns.
or all the artillery about Magersfon-
tein and Kimberley only one disabled
l2-pOunder was found when the British
occupied the ground. II 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 command at Mod
der river with relrforcements, and
moved himself with all the mounted
Beers as Sodu - he learned OF General
French's movement in his rear. OBJ
servers in London think that he wen,
as far as he could. then picked posi-
tlon and determined to sit tight until
assured that their artillery had es-
capped.
The reinforcements Lord Roberts re-
ports having scattered so easily are
said To have been the iioer rear guard
and artillery train, which was cover
Ing the movement to the north and
east There are 40 reports Of any ar
tillery fire In response TO the British
attack at Koodosrand.
Cronje's plans appear TO be to hold
all The British possible about lis camp
tin certain his artillery's retreat is as
sured. The proposed armistice would
have gained twenty-four hours for the
retreat Of the guns, while the agree
mcnt would only have covered the
lighting force engaged at that point.
Boer sympathizers think Cronje will
hold fast tin the last moment and that
then the order will be given every
man for himself with instructions 70
rally at point north where the artil-
lery will be safe Ia u new position.
Il is insisted that this plan was fol-
lowed 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 Hes in a powerful
diversion in his favor by Dutch rein
forcements drawn from Natal, Coles
burg aud Stormburg. Three British
brigades were in action on Saturday
and Monday, with another OF Frenchs
cavalry in reserve,
III 20,o0 burghers from Natal and l0.-
geo more from the southern frontier
could be suddenly concentrated against
Cronje's besiegers his deliverance
might be effected. General Roberts
would have two brigades of the Sew
enth division available as reserve
against this concentration and possi-
bly, another from the First division.
There is 20 evidence yet that Dutch
has taken place.
Pretoria reports stated that 5000
Beers have gone from the Colesburg
and Stormberg districts. Well-in-
formed 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 at Koodoosrani since that poll
cy will enable General Roberts to de-
liver crushing blow with his own
force massed short distance from
their railway base
Otherwise, they say, Cronjes surren-
der will be followed by tedious cam
paign through the enemy's country
with long lines of communication to
be maintained.