THE WAR.

Te Aroha News, Volume XVI, Issue 22207, 1 March 1900, Page 2

THE WAR.

CRONJE’S force; BORROWING; IN THE. RIYER BANKS-. London, February 26. Cronje is using rockets to-attract assistance* His "forces have burrowed into the river banks,, which have- been converted’ into shell-proof rabbit warrens,. A. British- balloon: discovered the position of sour ammunition waggons in the-river bed,, the British exploding, them within: an hour afterwards;. Twenty, additional Canadians werewounded, in the advance attack on Cronje,. BRITISH SAPPERS AT WORK. GERMAN AMBULANCE. ASSISTS .CRONJE. London, February 26. Latest advices state that the British Engineersare sapping towards Oronje’s laager. Lord'. Roberts: allowed the German ambulance to assist Cronje.. CONSTERNATION IN PRETORIA STEEN ABVISES PEACE L-indon, February 26. The Times’ Delegoa correspondent sends trustworthy information which shows that, consternation reigns inPretoria..

CronjVs position* is regarded: as hopeless.. Louis Botha, also- telegraphed that the Bt>er- forces besieging Ladysmith are knocked up, and he advised Kruger, that the Fi-ee State Burghers refuse to continue the fight.. President Steyn advised' that immediate overtures for peace should be made, recognising that a- rout is- im* minent; BULLER’S ARMY KRUGER’S GRANDSON KILLED (DRONJE’S POSITION CORDON DRAWING CLOSER. A RUSH BY THE GORDONS BOERS REPELLED; WITH LOSS PROTECTING THE CAPITAL SEAT OP [GOVERNMENT REMOVED. London, February 27. There’ was- heavy fighting aiound Grnbler’s Kloof on. Thursday, Friday and Saturday.. Eight officers were killed, including Colonels Stilwell, Thackaray [and Thorold, and 34 were wounded. Another of Kruger’s grandsons was . killed.

The Boers showed a* splendidly stubborn defence.

The British, attack was magnificient.

The Inneskillihg Fusiliers on Friday made repeated heroic attempts to storm the hill, but were unable to reach the summit,, where they encountered a perfect hail of lead.. Cbnfused close and sanguinary fighting continues. There were 113 rank and file casualties at Colenso on the 20th insfc.

The cordon round Cronje is daily drawing closer* The Gordon Highlanders rushed two hundred! yards before the advance.

Several thousand Boers made determined but ineffectual efforts to relieve the position-, but were everywhere repulsed with loss.. Five- thousand troops were withdrawn from Natal by Friday. From all directions commandos are hastening towards and concentrating 30 miles outside the town.

The Free State Government is moving fro ni Bloemfontein to Wimberg. Early on Sunday Major-General Clemente, in command of the Inniskilling and artillery and a strong force of Australians under Colonel Price, of Victoria,, dislodged the Boers from Vaalkop, compelling them, (to retire to Kuilfontein. The British have re-occupied Barkley East. The Landrost of Bady Grey wired to President Steyn that he would surrender if reinforcements were- not sent. SURRENDER OF CRONJE. NEW ZEALANDERS CONGRATULATED. Wellington, Feb. 28. The following message has been received by His Excellency the Governor from Sir A. Milner, High Commissioner. Capetown, dated 1.55 p.m., 27 inst.:—“ Cronje surrendered at daylight. Congratulations on noble share taken by troops from your colony.”