The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-03
BULLER'S WEDGE.
British General Expects to
Split Boer Forces
Occupying Position Between
Him and Ladysmith.
JOUBERT AT FRONT.
Goes to the Upper Tugela Ex-
pecting Another Attack.
A British Flying Column Ap-
pears in ZuluIand.
JOUBERT AT FRONT.

New York, Feb. 3.-Dispatches from
London say much work is in progress on
the southern frontier of the Free State,
but the details are being held back un-
til results can be reported. That is the
impression made by such dispatches as
are allowed to come through from Sterl-
strom and F'rench's camp near Coles
berg. The report that the Boer losses on
Spion Kop on Wednesday last exceeded
one thousand dead although unconfirm-
ed, has created a favorable impression
and very few are disposed to discredit
it.
The Morning Leader believes that
Gen. Butler has begun a movement
toward Ladysmith. The article says:
Gen. Butler probably engaged soon
after noon yesterday (F'riday) if all his
artillery and munitions had come up.
In any case his orders were definite
for an advance at the latest this morn
ing.
There is no reason to suppose that
the direction is that of Dundonald's
reconnaissance toward Honger's Poort,
close to Bethany, although some cavalry
and horse artillery may go by that way,
so as to operate on or perhaps beyond
the Acton Homes road.
we are inclined to believe Gen. Bull
Ter means to pound out of existence any
Beers or any works lying on the river
near the junction of the little Tugela.
If he succeeds in establishing himself
there on the northern bank he will vir-
tually have turned the Boer posirions at
OnderbrOOk and GroebeIers KIOof over
looking Colenso. This would mean the
splitting of the Boer forces on the south
of Ladysmith.
Probably Gen. White would be able to
help in the effort by occupying with
energy the C00nAafif7xr ~ l,a
enemy"
There is no actual news to support the
news of the Leader but several London
morning papers profess to believe that
Gen. Butler is pushing toward Lady
smith. Warren'S troops on Wednesday
were still resting south of Tugela while
Gen. Lyttleton's brigade held it's posi-
ton on the north bank. Gen. Joubert
has gone to the Boer camp on the up
per Tugela, an apparent indication that
he expects another attack on his right
The Beers are exhibiting considerable
anxiety IN regard to the movement of
the British flying column which started
through Zululand in the direction of
Vryheld about the time that Gen. Bull
Ter began his move toward Springfield.
Boer relnforcements from about Lady
smith have been hurried back to pro-
tect their lines of communication north
ward.
General Charles Tucker. who came
from India to command the Seventh
division, has gone up to MOdder river
This seems to indicate that the troops
of that division which are now arriv-
ing at the Cape viii as well as those
of the Sixth division under Kelly
Kenny be utilized along the border of
the Free State and take part in the
prospective invasion.
The reported activity of Col. Plum
er's force near Crocodile Pool more
than ten days old, is a good sign that
strong effort will be made by him
to push through to Mafeking, which
had evidently been relieved at the time
the BOer advices so stated.
The first batch of wounded men be-
! longing to the naval contingents serv-
ing in South Africa has arrived in
England. They are mostly skilled gun
ners. They say that the Beers Maxim
! Nordenfeldt one-pound quick firing
guns have a most demoralizing effect
on the British. These guns are made
in England, but they are not supplied
to the British troops.
A dispatch to a London paper from
Pietermaritzburg says: The appear
ance of the flying column of scouts in
Zululand has created some uneasiness
among Beers over the border. A num-
Der of Beers have been hurriedly with
drawn from Ladysmith and Dundee to
Vryheld to protect that place and op-
| pose any British advance. The Boer