The Daily News. THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1900. A DECISIVE VICTORY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 4, 1 March 1900, Page 2

The Daily News. THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1900. A DECISIVE VICTORY.

After a series of rapid movements! resulting in the relief of Kimberley| and culminating in the surrounding of Oronje's army at Koodoosrand, and a nine 4 days' battle of a most sanguinary I nature, Field-Marshal Lord Roberts has forced the " Lion of Africa " to j surrender unconditionally. It seemed as though Cronje, grim, resolute, ui.d unyielding, was going to fight to the death. The Free Staters tried to get him to capitulate, but he sternly refused ; then his wife, with tears of ent treaty, prayed him to give in, but all in vain : with frenzied and tragic courage he fought on, using every resource to stave off what was inevitable defeat, and so the slaughter went on till the donga ran with blood, and its rocky bed was strewn with the bodies of the slain. The scene must have been ghastly beyond description, a shambles in which men were being slaughtered by hundreds, and no doubt it was the horror of it all and hopelessness of his position that moved even Oronje's obdurate heart and bent his iron will to subjection. Victor and vanquished are now in the one camp, and the honuors of a hardfought fight are with Lord Roberts. Splendid as is the latter's record and reputation,it will be materially increased by the brilliant consummation of his victorious movements. The battle of Koodoosrand will rank as his most splendid achievement, as Cronje was. undoubtedly the fiercest and most resolute enemy the hero of Kandahar' has had to face. It is possible that this victory will have such a discouraging effect on the Boer forces that it will be followed by overtures for peace and the early cessation of hostilities. If so, it is likely to be the last time that Lord Roberts will le{id the forces of our Empire in battle, and his last victory will fittingly crown his long and victorious career. From first to last he has served the Empire with conspicuous ability and courage, and now, in his old age, he has reversed the position of affairs in South Africa and changed the aspect from one of ominous portent to the open vision of victory. It remains to be seen what resistance may yet be offered by Joubert's army, but every Boer will feel that now the mighty fighting " commandant" has yielded the end cannot be far off. Neither, indeed, it can be, and Briton and Boer alike will be glad to see the termination of the strife.