The record-union., 1899-12-30
Latest Dispatches Received From
chIvs|sy Camp
Hint Il Some Important Movement on the
Part Of General Butler.
The News Interpreted to Mean That
He Contemp1ates q Renewal OF
His Attempt to Relieve Lady
smith, Though the Report is Ac-
cepted With Some Misgiv1ngs
in Official Circles.

in Official Circles.
LONDON. Dec 3O.-(5 a. m.)-The
latest special dispatches from Chiveley
Camp hint at some important move
ment as imminent. This is interpreted
with some misgivings, to mean thai
General Butler contemplates - ~neWal
of his attempt to relieve Ladysmith- II
is reported by the same dispatches tina
the Beers have now retired to the north
bank of the Tugela, being afraid that
the swollen river may bar their re-
treat. They are also moving their
laagers nearer Ladysmith, probably
with the intention of putting further
pressure on the garrison, which now
seems to be suffering pretty heavily
from bombardment.
It Is difficult, however, to conceive
that General Butler would make an
other frontal attack, especially now
that the river is rising, and an addi-
tional indication that this is not his
purpose is the fact that he has removed
his headquarters back to Frere. The
Boer movement northward from the
Tugela is quite in keeping with the enc
my's plan of securing a safe line of re-
treat.
1t is known that further artillery is
due to arrive for General Butler, but the
belief here is that his forces even then
will be too weak. He may, however, be
animated by desire to accomplish
something before the arrival of Lord
Roberts, and to satisfy the keenness Of
his men to retrieve their defeat.
The reported engagement with Kaffirs
is very vague, and cannot be explained
pending the arrival of later dispatches.
The Earl of Mount Edgiecombe,
brother-in-law of Lord Landsdowne,
says the War Office would countenance
of preparatory stage in order to learn
drills and the like. The number of
members of the House of Commons who
have volunteered FOR the front threaten
seriously to reduce the Government 9
majority when Parliament reassembles.
The Rothschilds have donated E2,G00
to the Buckinghamshire volunteer fund.
1t Is estimated that 100000 win be
contributed privately to British funds
throughout the country Already the
fund for relief of families of soldiers
exceeds 100000.
The Times" has the following, dated
December 27th, from Lourenzo Mar
ques: Cargoes for the Transvaal have
dwindled to one-fifth of the average,
but large shipments are expected from
Europe. In the meantime there are
persistent rumors here and in Durham
that guns and ammunition are SNUG
gled through for the Beers. A French
liner now in the harbo- is said to have
brought two large guns from NADIA
gascar.
The Times TODAY publishes the
following dispatch from Chiveley Camp,
dated December oath: Parties of I3ocrs
approached to-day within three miles
of Chiveley Camp, threat ening our wa
tering parties, who are compelled to go
some two miles owing TO the scarcity
of water. 1t is reported that the Lady
smith garrison made a sortie on Thurs
day and captured a hill.
The Daily MALI asserts that several
guns have been removed from the forts
at Plymouth by night, and that these
will be sent to Cape Town
The Modder River correspondent of
the Times referring to the scare fir
ing of the Beers, says: Their ner-
vousness causes much amusement
among the British L is quite certain
that half the Boer force is employed
watching by day and tie other half
by night. Probably the consequent
WEAKNESS with the scarcity of water
and the presence IF typhoid will render
the Boer position intolerable Their
present action is Cue either to scare
or to a wish to cover a retirement to
Spytfontein."
Dispatches from all parts of South
Africa emphasize the great enthusiasm
among the troops and public, occasion
ed by the appointment of Generals
Roberts and Kitchener. The announce
ment that tie former will have SUI
preme command, and that the latter
will be chief of staff has largely dis
PEELED the depression in Cape Colony
caused by the recent reverses, while
the soldiers anticipate everything from
the presence of "Bobs," from success
In battle to Cape beer.
Advices from Cape Town dated De-
cember oath say an investigation shows
that the reported disaffection among
the Dutch in the Victoria district has
been overdrawn. The farmers it is
pointed out, are mostly land owners
and will not risk the loss of their farms
by rising.
A dispatch from Lourenzo Marques,
dated December Odd, says a curious
story is current emanating from Boer
sources, that Matt Steyn, brother of
the President of the Orange Free State,
and 500 Free Staters, have definitely
refused to continue the war. Matt
Steyn, acting as spokesman Of the par
ty, is reported to have told the Presi-
dent that he was only authorized to
interview in the interest of peace, and
that the Burghers did not feel that
they were bound by his ''unwarrantable
conduct" especially as they ran the
risk of confiscation of their property,
and they simply desired to be permit
ted to farm in peace and proposed to
Immediately return to their farms.
Sir Richard Howard Vincent. MEM
Der of Parliament for the Central d.
vision of Sheffield, and Colonel of the
Queens Westminster Volunteers, has
been appointed to command the infan-
try division of the City of London Inn
perial Regiment.
The text OF Colonel Baden-P owell's
proclamation to the Burghers besieging