The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1900-02-06
Butler Pushing Ahead

-t"Ni very AieLuef materials, fh0t Gen
Butler Is again throwing his army
against the Boer works. a retired gem
eral, Sir William Henry Green, whose
distinguished career gives weight TO his
opinion, thinks that Gen. Buller, with
5000 men, Is making a wide de.our to
the west and north In orde~ ~ avoid TIE
toughest parts of the country. As p.
Butler mus. have some thous, o. II
wagons. Sir William Green POI. OF
that his advance woul' necessarily be
slow.
No authentic word is at hand, save
that the war office reaffirme6 orally 20
newspaper Inquiries at late hour that
IL could not confirm the reported ad-
vance. There the natal situation rests.
1t Is from the western field that more
definite statements come. Large opera
tlons are apparently about TO begin.
Cen. French, who has now returned 10
rensberg from his conference with Lor,
Roberts. has sent what Is described as
an overwhelming force OF infantry TO
se'ze Norval's point This is where the
railway, before it was destroyed crossed
the Orange river, and connected with the
Free state trunk line TO Bloemfontein
NorvaIs point Is 10 miles north Of
Colesberg and % miles from Gen.
French's headquarters at Rensberg.
The Beers at Colesberg have been in
danger Of being surrounded by the
largely reinforced and extenlin lines OF
the British.
AN occupation OF Noirval's Point In
force would presumably render Coles
berk untenable. The Beers are showing
great activity In the Nauport and Goes
berg districts. Many OF the guns hither-
to facing Lord Methuen are gelieved TO
have gone 10 Norval's Point
rhe British, therefore. may ind form
idabe bodies Of Beers there. The war
office announces that Is transports viii
be dispatched between today and Mon
day with 1900 troops
Sir Alfred Miner. IN a letter written
three weeks ago to former lord mayor
OF Belfast. said the war would last three
or four months longer
The censorship seems TO have COM
pletely shut down the correspondents
at spearman's camp. No dispatch from
that point appears in this mornings pa
pers ard nothing has been allowed 20
pass since Sunday morning.
form three infantry divisions and a cav
airy division. without counting either the
colonial mounted troops or five militia
battaltons which can be used to relieve
regular baetalions on the line Of commun-
ication. Lord Methuen's three brigades
make a furthe addition that might ulti-
mately be utilized"
Mr. wilkinson then proceeds 10 urge the
government TO make every preparation
against en- resncies NJ home, and prae-
ticalIy e. put the volunteers and all avail
able forces in the most complete condi-
ton for service. He recommends re-Arm-
ing volunteers. batteries OF position With
the best modern guns. and, in short,
the organisation and equipment OF the
available forces rather than hasty en-
deavor 10 recruit unframed men.
IT beg to acknowledge the honor OF
your telegram charging the British troops
with the devastation OF property contrary
90 the recognized usages Of war and with
brigandage and devastation. These
charges are made I'm vague ana general
terms. No specific case Is mentioned Nc
evidence is given. I have seen suck
charges made before now in the press
notice. have they been substantiated.
'''rhe most stringent instructions have
been issued To the British troops 10 re-
speot private property so far as is com
patibIe with the conduct OF military op-
srations. All wanton destruction and In
Jury 10 peaceful inhabitants are contrary
10 British practice and traditions and
wiI, II necessary. be vigorously rapress
I'D by me.
KICK AGAINST KICK.
CAPETOwN, FTcB. 5.--Folowing In th'
text OF the protest which is dated Bloom
6ontein, Feb. 3;
I'VE learn from many sides that th'
British troops. contrary 10 the recoBniE
sd usages OF war daily destroy propertl
by burning or dynamiting farm houses
ard devastating farms and goods there
in. by means or which unprotected womef
and children are often deprived OF foo
and cover
This happens not only places wher
hurbarlas are encouraged boy British OF
noers but even In Cape colony and IN
Free state. where white brisands com
cut from the theatre OF War with IN
evident intention OF carrying on genera
devastation. wthou any reason recogniz
cd by the customs OF war and without Il
avly way, further.ng the operations. W
wish earnestly to protest against sue
act"
Lord Roberts replying today aaid:
M . c,trrNrf,1,pAy IMP EGeu Ofi,