LORD ROBERTS' OPERATIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 46, 26 February 1900, Page 2

LORD ROBERTS' OPERATIONS.

CRONJE SAYS HE WILL FIGHT TO THE DEATH. TERRIFIC ARTILLERY FrRE OF THE BRITISH. [Br Elbothio Telegraph.—Copyright.] [per press associatiox.] (Received 24, 9 20 a.m.)

London, February 23. I After receiving General Kitchener's reply with regard to the proposed armistice, Commandant Oronje replied that ho would fight until he was dead. General Kitchener thereupon concentrated an awful fire of howitzers' lyddite shells on the spot, which was a mile square, held- by the Boers. Upon receiving a second message suggesting a surrender, Lord 'Kitchener invited Cronje into the British camp to arrange the terms of capitulation. Cronje then declared that there was some mistake, as ho had not the slightest intention to surrender. Lord Boberts thereupon decided to crush resistance, and directed a terrific fire at a distance of 2000 yards, enfilading the river-bed and banks.

The Boers have abundance of water, but will find it difficult to get food in the trenches, except at night. Prisoners captured by Lord Roberts in the late fighting include a part of Commandant Louis Botha's command, which was recently engaged against General Buller, at Spionkop. Botha with five hundred men was [routed from a kopje a mile south-east of Cronje's laager.

The British reinforcements have | been increased, preventing the possibility of Boers arriving from Natal and reinforcing Cronje. The Daily News correspondent slates that Cronje marched 33 miles from Magersfohtein without outspanning. His 8000 troops lined the banks round a semi-circular bend of the river, their laager being situated at the easterly end of tho bend. Tho Highlanders, Welsh Fusiliers, and others forming the attacking force marched north-east-wards into the bend. Colonel Dorrien's | force while crossing the river was subjected to the enemy's fire on both sides*. f Che infantry lay still while the artillery drove the Boers out of the laager, shell fire being concentrated thereon. The seizure of a drift-by the Welsh Fusiliers cut the Boars in half, while the mounted troops and artillery circling south surrounded the kopjes and cut off their retreat, and General marching from Kimberley, completed the circle and thus hemmed them in. The Boers were finally driven to take shelter between the river banks, subjecting the attackers to a hail of bullets and equally preventing the Boers from escaping. ; (Reoeived 24,10.20 a m.) ''

London, February 23. L Tho Inniskilling Dragoons and a force of Australians occupied Moosfontein, a small township in the Naauwpoort district, expelling the Boers, who are now retreating northward.