VIGOROUS ATTACK ON CRONJE.

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

VIGOROUS ATTACK ON CRONJE.

A CONTINUOUS AND DEVASTATING FIRE. ORONJE OVURMASTERING THE WISHES OF HIS FOLLOWERS. 808 It REINFORCEMENTS CUT UP. Received 25, 6 pm.

I London, February 24. On Tuesday, three fi ild batteries and

two Naval twelve-pounders from the south bank of the river, and a howitzer, throe field batteries, and three 4 7 inch guns from the north bank, poured sho' and sholl into Cronje's poti ion. On Widnesday additional guns were brought to beir, and a continuous devasta'iag fire was kept up. The green fumes from the bursting

liyuuitie sirens were seen rising along the gully where the Boers were entrapped, while shrapnel swept the edges of the river bank and shells fell in the

ravines and bushes. D from the Boer laager describe Oronju's grim determination as overmastering the wishes of his followers' fighting frenzy and tragic courage. The Boer laager is one miss of flames. OroojVs wife, on Tuesday night,, pleaded with him to capitu'ate and

thus save the lives of his men, but he was deaf to her entreaties. Lord Roberts, recognising tho necessity of rapid movements, altered the plan of the whole campaign.

Prisoners declare that Lord Roberts' unexpected mobility has dealt a deathblow to the Free State's resistance, and is spoiling Oronje's and Joubert's proposed combinations, The British, in consequence of their rapid movements and the excessive heat, have exhausted a terrible number of horses. General French alone j had hundreds disabled. General French and the Field Artillery are scouring the country towards Bloemfonteio, and have destroyed the approaching Boer reinforcements piecemeal. One hundred and forty-fix of tbe British rank-and-file were killed in the Eaardoberg district on Sunday, includiog3s of th.e Seaforth Highlanders; also Lieut. J. J. Grieve, of Sydney, who was attached to the Royal Highlanders.