The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-30
IMPORTANT MOVE ON FOOT.
1t II Feared Butler VIII Try to At
tack the Beers Again Before
Roberts Arrives.


LONDON, Dec. 80, 5 a. m.--The latest
special dispatches from Chiveley camp
hint darkly at some important movement
as imminent. This is interpreted, with
some misgivings to mean that Gen. Bull
Ter contemplates renewal Of his attempt
to relieve Ladysmith.
1t is reported by the Same dispatches
that the Beers have now retired to the
north bank Of the Tegula, being afraid
that the swollen river may bar their re-
treat. They are also moving their laagerB
nearer Ladysmith, probably with the In.
tention OF putting further pressure on the
garrison. which now seems to be suffer-
ing pretty heavily from bombardmsnt.
1t Ii difficult. however,. to conceive that {
Gen. Butler would make another frontal
attack. especially now that the river IL
rising, and an additional indication that
this is not his purpose is the fact that he
has removed his headquarters back to De
Frere. The Boer movement northward
from the Tugela b quite in keeping with
the enemy's plan OF securing . SAFE line
Of retreat. M
1t Is known that further artillery u due
to arrive for Gen. Butler. but the belief
here Is that hts forces even then will be
too weak. He may, however. be animated
by desire to accomplish something be-
fore the arrival Of Lord Roberts and to
satisfy the keenness Of his men to retrieve
their defeat.
Reported Fight with Kamrs vasue.s
The reported engagement with Kanars
Is very vague and cannot be explained,
pending the arrival Of later dispatches.
More Volunteers wanted.
The Earl OF Mount Edgicombe. brother
in-law of Lord Landsdowne, says the war
Office would countenance scheme to en-
roll volunteers in sort of preparatory
stage In order to learn drills and the like.
Too Many M. Ps. Going.
The number Of members OF the house OF
commons who have volunteered for the
front threaten seriously to reduce the gov-
ernment's majority when parliament reas-
sembles.
Funds for Volunteers.
The Rothschids have donated f2.0o0 to
the Buckinghamshire volunteer fund. It
is estimated that 100000 will be contrib
uted privately to volunteer funds through
out the country Already the fund for the
relief of families of soldiers exceeds f500,00Q
Enthusiasm Over Roberts.
Dispatches from all parts OF South Africa
emphasize the great enthusiasm among
troops and public occasioned by the ap-
pointment OF Gems Roberts and Kitchener.
The announcement that the former will
have supreme command and that the lat
ter will be chief of staff has already dis
PEELED the depression In Cape Colony caus-
ed by the recent reverses, while the SOL
diers anticipate everything from the pres
ence of "Bobs."
DisaHectiOn Was Exaggerated.
Advices from Cape Town. dated Decem-
Der a. say investigation shows that the
reported disaffection among the Dutch in
Victoria district has been overdrawn. The
farmers. It is pointed out, are mostly land
owners, and will not risk a loss OF their
farms by rising.
Free staters Don't want to Fight.
A dispatch from Lourenzo Marques.
dated December %. says a curious story
is current. emanating from the Boer
forces. that Matt Steyn. a brother OF the
president Of the Orange Free State. and
800 Free Staters have definitely refused to
continue the war. Matt steyn. acting a.
spokesman of the party. Is reported to
have told the president that he was only
authorized to intervene In the interest Of
peace. and thai the burghers did not feel
that they were bound by his 'unwarrant-
able conduct" especially as they ran the
risk of confscation OF their property. and
they simply desired to be permitted to
farm In peace. and proposed to Immediate
Iy return to their FARMS
To Command Volunteers.
Sir Charles Howard Vincent. member
Of parliament and coionef or the Queen's
WAztminster YQlunfeern has hkasn as.