The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-08

LONDON, Jan. 8, 4:5o a. m.-The British
public is at last face to face with crit
ical moment in the campaign 1t may safe
ly be said that at previous time have
there been such anxious hours Of suspense
as will be passed through until the arrival
Of further news regarding the fate Of
Ladysmith.
The week opens with only fresh addi-
tions to the disasters that have befallen
British arms and there is no longer any
sustaining confidence to buoy up public
opinion. The editorials this morning fully
reflect the extreme gravity Of the situation
with painful undercurrent of ominous
fCreboding. mainly caused by the fact that
while the Beers have now changed their
tactics and assumed the offensive. Gen.
Butler is apparently unable to do more
to assist General White than in making a
demonstration The Morning Post says:
''He might as well have ordered a display
OF fireworks"
AS the heliograph ceased working yester-
day Sunday it is presumed that General
Whites last message was sent by pigeon
runner. Its purport is serious enough.
The Times publishes a dispatch from
Ladysmith dated Jan. i. recording two
night movements on the part of the Beers
to assault the town. These had to be aban-
doned when the British defenses were
reached. but the correspondent says it was
apparent that the great attack would not
be long delayed. He adds:
Loyalty supported by the civilians, the
period. We are not yet reduced to half
rations. The greatest difficulty is hospital
accommodation for the wounded and sick"
Little doubt remains to the meaning Of
the Boer attack. A dispatch from the Boer
camp at Colenso. dated Thursday last, and
sent by way of Lourenzo Marques. men,
ravines into torrents and flooded the Tu-
gela. Doubtless General Jourbet felt sure
he had secured couple of days in which
he could attack Ladysmith without fear OF
interference from General Butler who,
even If he decided to attempt to relieve the
town. would probably occupy three days
In reaching 1t by even victorious advance.
Apparently. on Saturday. General Butler
was not ready to attack. Possibly General
Joubert anticipated that General Butler
would shortly deliver an attack, and In that
case. General Butler may have actually
opened battle yesterday.
Great Britain has to face the terrible
possibility that the next news will be the
fall Of Ladysmith The disquieting feature
is that the Beers seem to have had suffi-
cient forces to deter General Butler from
attacking, while themselves making stren-
uous efforts to reduce the town. In the
presence OF this ominous situation, even
General Frencli's disaster of which appa-
rently the worst has not yet been heard
assumes quite minor Importance in the
eyes Of the public.
The War Office has already decided upon
immediate steps for sending an eighth in
fantry division to South Africa Some of
the regiments for this division will be taken
from Gibraltar and Malta. They will be
replaced by militia.
1t is asserted that the customs author
tiles on the River Thames have detained
two outgoing steamers and seized two
large guns and six Maxims, packed in pi-
ano cases, intended for the Transvaal 1t
Is also said that a quantity OF food stuffs
on another vessel have been seized