THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 9, 1 March 1900, Page 20

THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA

After the relief of Kimberley the Boer force, under Commandant Cronje, retreated in the direction of Bloemfontein, about 90 miles distant. Cronje had covered about half the distance when in consequence of being hard-pressed by the British forces, he Was compellel to laager at Koodoosrand, a small village about 40 miles in a straight line from the Free State capital. Here the enemy was completely surrounded by the British force, and as a result terrible fighting took place from the early part of last week until last Monday. The Boer losses were said to be tremendous, while tne Uritish. losses were very heavy. The Boers were confined on Friday and Saturday on a spot in the river bed two miles long, 150 ft wide, and 50ft deep. General Chernside s brigade held the upper end of the ditch, Colonel Smithl>orrien .-force ox-upied the lower end. High banks and numerous dongas aHurded «be enemy some shelter. Their food supplies were abundint, but their ammunition was running short. It was confidently expectei in this Colony that any moment might bring the report of Cronje's capitulation. The news came early yesterday morning in a message from the Agent-General to the lremier, dated London, midnight, February 27, and was as follows — ' Lord Roberts has telegraphed that General Cronje and all his force capitulated unconditionally at daylight to-day They are now prisoners m Lord Robertas camp. This is the anniversary of Alajuba Hill. J