The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1900-01-20
Buffers Forces Be-
ing SLrengtnened,

LONDON. Jan. 20.--4:30 p. m.--Evehy
hour that General Butler delays his
combined attack makes his position
stronger. Transports continue TO ar
rive at Durbln and fresh troops are be-
ing sent up the line TO reinforce those
in front Of Colenso. IT appears that
General Buffers troops north OF the
Tuegla number at least $4,000 posi-
bly, $4,000. with fifty guns His total
forces forming greater outer curve
south and west of Ldysmith probably
number 10000.
While General Buffers forward oper-
ations which began on January 10, de
velop rather lelsurely, the Beers appear
to be fully aware that they must meet
a strenuous assault. Balloon observers
have roughly estimated that 10000
Beers are using spade and pick in arti-
hcially strengthening positions which
nature has rendered easy OF defense.
Military critics in touch with the war
office think that the news that general
fighting has begun may be expected at
any hour. II is not Thought that the one
days fighting Will settle the relief OF
I.adysmith but rather that there will
be two or three days OF continuous
nghting.
DRAWING CLOSER.
LONDON. JAN. pa Durban special
dated Thursday says that Lord Dundon-
aid has smashed Boer convey.
General Butler is said 10 be within
twelve miles OF Iladysmith and General
Warren 10 about six miles to the rear.
POSITION UNCHANGED.
LADYsNITH. WEDNESDAY, JAN. II.
VIA sPEARMAN'S CAMP JAN. l9.-
Every thing is quiet The position is un-
changed and there is very little bombard-
ing
The sound OF the guns OF the relief
column was heard yesterday from Co
lenso and Springfield.
The heat is intense, but there Is no In
crease Of sickness.
BOER TREACHERY.
LONDON. JAN. 2O.-1he Daily Mail
publishes the following dispatch dated
Thursday from spearman's camp: 1T is
rumored that the Beers have evacuated
Colenso in order TO relnAoce their troops
here. Heavy gun fire was heard from
Iadysmith this morning
General Buffers order instruc,s the
men to head the white flag Of the Beers
only When they lay down their arms. It
also lnstructs them to beware Of false
bugle calls"
BoER ACCOUNT
LONDON. JAN. 2O.-The Boer accounts
| of the massage OF the Tugela river are
given in two following dispatches from
| Commandant vHjoen's camp on the up
per Tngela. via Lourenzo Marques. dat
ca January IS: "Jan. 16.-Buller's second
move was a reconnaissance IN force with
an armored train and a large body. sup
pored by cannon, toward colenso last
night A heavy hombardment ensured
/ and thereupon the British returned, hav-
ing wounded one Of our men. No reply
was made. This move was feir- to COW
or extensive movements up the river.
Ranirs on this side Of the Tugela have
been warned by the British to leave their
kraals, as the fight will commence short
iy"
The second dispatch runs thus Jan u.
THE nieh. was unbroken, save for slight
rife encounters between outposts which
Ied TO nothing AT day'break the enemy
was located as before. re had not
brought single gun across the river.
But from the ridges of the swartzk0p a
-tory and half Of seige guns opened
on our position at FIVE a. m. The bonn
bardment was probably the most fright
ful ever witnessed on land. Frequently
" at one schanze (enrenchment)
hve heavy naval guns fred simultaneous