KITCHENER AND CRONJE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6728, 24 February 1900, Page 5

KITCHENER AND CRONJE.

ORONJE'S CUNNING AND KITCHENER'S STERN MEASURES. THE BOER POSITION ENFILADED i WITH LYDDITE. NO POSSIBILITY OF RESCUE. (Received Feb. 24, 9.20 a.m.). LONDON, Feb. 23. After receiving Lord Kitchener's reply with regard to an armistice, General Cronje retorted that he would fight until he wag dead. Lord Kitchener thereupon concentrated an awful fire from the howitzers of lyddite shells on a spot a mile square held by the Boers. Upon receiving a second message, suggesting surrender, Lord Kitchener invited General Cronje into the British camp to arrange the capitulation. General Cronje then declared that it was a mistake, and that he had not the slightest intention to surrender. Lord Roberts thereupon decided to crush resistance, and directed a, terrific fire at a distance . of two thousand yards, enfilading the riverbed and banks. The Boers have an abundance of water, but it is difficult to get food into the trenches except at night. The prisoners captured by Lord* Robertsin the late fighting include «, part of Commandant Louis Botha's commando recently engaged against General Buller at Spionkop. Commandant Botha, with five hundred men, was routed from a kopje a mils south-east of Cronje's laager. The British reinforcements have been increased, thus preventing the possibility of Boers arriving from Natal and reinforcing .Cronje.