New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-22
WAR RUNORS EXCITE LONDON
LADYSMITH REPORTS AND TIDINGS
FROM THE ORANGE FREE STATE.
Copyright: 1900: by The New-York Tr1bune.l
LBY CABLE 10 THE TRIBUNE.l

LBY CABLE TO THE TR1BUNEI
London. Feb. % 1 g. n.-Run1ors of the relief
OF Ladysmith and the surrender of large Boer
force in the Free State were in the air from an
early hour yesterday. One was a natural infer
snce from General Buffers passage of the river
without opposition. owing TO the retirement Of
Jouberts forces; the other came from Parlia-
rnert where persistent statements TO the effect
that portion of Cronjes force had been sur
rounded were followed by fresh explanation
that reinforcements had been sent forward and
that the surrender either of the rear guard OF
two thousand or of the entire army of eight
thousand retreating from Magersfontein was
matter OF few hours. These two stories were
supported by dispatches from Windsor and Cape
Town and by confident assertions from members
Of Parliament But the War Office silent
until evening, and then only reported progress
toward Iadysmith and severe fighting in the
Free State with Generals Macdonald and Knox
wounded in action and large list Of casualties
nom the several brigades. There was also
midnight canard to the effect that General
Kelly -Renny's division had been cut off
WARREN ACROSS THE TUGELA AGAIN.
General warren's division, which had not been
engaged in the operations for the clearance of
the southern bank, crossed the Tugela yesterday
bv 4 pontoon bridge and drove back the enemy's
AAON
clear from the dispatches received before mid
night whether Groblers Kloof had been aban-
doned and the Dutch had retired from the hills
encircling Ladysmith but their heavy guns had
been removed and there seemed 10 be little like
Hhood Of determined resistance. General Whites
nea had been steadily reporting for several days
thai the Dutch forces were retiring northward,
L king their guns with them. The garrison was
evidently greatly reduced in ammunition and
fighting force. for il made no effort to Interfere
with the withdrawal Of the besiegers or to capt
ure their guns Flags were flying yesterday at
Windsor in honor of the relief Of Ladysmith, but
there was no Official confirmation Of the news at
midnight although it was expected every hour.
Lord Roberts's strategy had cleared the road for
Buffers advance. It had rendered Dutch con-
oentration in the Free State unavoidable, and
rear guards had been left behind to keep Butler
back as long as possible. One mans genius
has cleared the situation at Kimberley and IN
Natal in a single fortnight.
Press dispatches relating to General Rooertss
running fight with Cronjes forces are coming in
slowly The large casualty list Of officers shows
that the Highland and Kelly -Kenny's brigades
and also brigade formerly with Gatacre have
been heavily engaged and it is probable that
three divisions. with cavalry, have overtaken the
enemy. whose strength is estimated all the way
from three thousand to eight thousand. There
vas skirmishing Friday and Saturday ana
stiff fighting on Sunday. 1t is believed here Ihat
q portion If not the bulk Of Cronje's force has
been surrounded by three divisions and the cav
airy, but that the Dutch are holding their ground
10 hope that reInforcements may come either
from Colesberg or Natal. Dispatches from sew
eral correspondents indicate that a rear guard
action was carried from Kip Drift to hoe-
G-c's Rand which is twenty-five miles soulh OF
PogF of ard sixty miles north Of Fauresmith II
c.. e we're surrounded there the nearest point
froa which he could expect assistance would pe
Koa -fontein. where a considerable Boer force
haE been reported General Jouberts army
rrca.l have to march over sixty miles across
oour.ry 10 Koedoe's Rand after reaching Bloem-
fntein
TIE fighting has clearly been very serious
= casualty lists printed here contain the
T. q Of four Canadian officers. and that gal
lant contingent is reported TO have been heavily
under fire. Captain Arnold is dangerously
voupded General Macdonald, who is seriously
wounded. IS 2 Highland hero. born Of humble
parentage He has won his way up from the
ranks He was with Roberts at Kandahar'
when as color sergeant he routed a horde
Of Afghans with handful Of men, and when
offered his choice between the Victoria Cross
and commission chose the latter. Fighting
Macs" last visit 70 Scotland was made nine
months ago. when ne received an honorary de-
gree from the University Of Glasgow in company
with Sir Henry Irving. General Knox, who is
also wounded. commands a brigade under Kelly
Kenny.
MR.. BRYCE ANSWERS AN ATTACK.
James Bryce writes me as follows;
am obliged by your offer to send TO the Amer