The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-01

@ LONDON, Jan. lin the absence Of
confirmation of the reported sortie from
Ladysmith, that story is discredited. No
such hopeful view can be taken ~ the
Boer account OF the Mafeking sortio seems
designed to convey. No word regarding
any such movement has yet arrived from
British sources, and the feeling Of sus-
pense is deepening, az it is feared Col.
Baden-Powell's silence indicates that his Z
position is becoming desperate.
E London Not Content.
The dispatches from the front breathe
confident spirit. which Is BY no means
echoed here.
The latest Ladysmith advices show that
the Beers Smelling is becoming deadly.
while sickness must also be telling strong
ly upon the garrison. The news Of the
spread Of rebellion among the Dutch COLI
onists and of the attempts Of the Beers
to cut the railway at widely different
points is very disquieting as bearing upon
the safety Of the extended lines Of com-
munication.
Buller,s Forward Movement.
All the correspondents are beginning to
hint of q forward movement on the part
OF Gen, Butler, the danger OF which is In
dicated in q dispatch to the Daily Tese-
graph from F'reere. recording the unfortu-
nate failure OF two reconnoissancees In
one case the Boer lines at CoIenso were
to have been bombarded BY night Mount-
ed men drew the Boer fire and It was in
tended that the naval guns should bonn
bard. This. however, the latter failed to
do. owing to some misunderstanding, and
the accommodating party was compelled to
founder back to camp. through the wet
and stormy night, marching In mud and
water and with the greatest discomfort.
Lost In the Darkness.
According to the same correspondent
similar fate awaited another feconnois-
sance in the opposite direction.
.'Two detachments." says the dispatch,
..lost their way in the darkness. They
were unable to effect a Junction for at
tack: they stumbled into water holes ana
were out ali night. only to return drench-
ed and disappointed In the morning.
It is roughly estimated that there are
5000 Beers between Ladysmith and CO.
lenso, some 400 being on the south side Of
the Tugela river
At ali points the enemy shows ceaseless
activity.
Americans Volunteering.
A large number Of Americans are said
to be finding their way into the various
volunteer regiments being raised In Cape
Colony. 1t is also reported that many
Africanders are arriving At Delagoa bay.
having been expelled from the rand be-
cause they had refused to swork the Jo-
hannesburg mines for the government.
The proofs of contraband traffic increas-
es daily. 1t Is alleged that European
officers arrive at Delagoa bay every
week and proceed to the Boer lines.
Supplies for the Boers.
The Cape Argus asserts that the late
importations by way Of Lourenzo Mar
auez are six large Armstrong guns and
sixteen cases OF ammunition. all Of which
have arrived at Pretoria.
The imperial authorities at the Cape
have seized at Adelaide an immense con-
signment Of arms and ammunition mark
cd sb.scuits." sent by the Beers to Dutch
farmers In that neighbornood.
serious Affair MT DOrdrecht.
It is feared that the British reconnois-
sance north OF Dordrecht. described in q
dispatch to the war Office. may turn out
to have been rather serious affair.
correspondent of the Associated Press
at sserkstroom. telegraphing December 81
says:
Capt. Montmorency. OF the Twenty
first iancers. with platoon Of 10 mens
was accommodating eight miles north of
Dordrecht. He met the Beers at La
bushagnes mex. They openrd fire. and
the British replied. The fighting contin-
,ed for six hours, when the Beers re-
ceiyed strong reinforcements, including
artillery Capt. Montmorency retired and
took defensive position at Dordrecht.
The Beers did not pursue him. II IL be-
lieyed that they retired on their main
body. Their losses are not known "
Queens Christmas Message.
The queens message to the British
troops In South Africa was sent to every
general. 1t ran thus:
II wish you and all my brave soldiers
a happy Christmas. God protect and bless
you ALL
The Bundesrath Incident.
The morning papers are inclined TO re-
frain from commenting upon the Bundes-
rath incident pending further information.
The Daily Chronicle says:
.'The incident was unfortunate; but the
Germans may await the result OF the
inquiry with confidence in al fairness"
The Standard gays:
1--WE feel sure that Germany win rec-
ognt1e the tmpeechnble Validity d euo
po1itie M shaIl pnzncee aHleA cll1l