The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1900-02-10
BUTLER AGAIN GOES FORWARD
LADYSMITH TO BE RELIEVED.
Review of the Situatfon-Robert- in
No Hurry-Boers Are Active-Des-
troyinH HaiIrosds--Ladys mfth Has
Plenty Provisions.

writes the following review of the situa-
ton in South Africa for the Associated
Press:
at is morally impossible for Buffers
army, so long AZ there is any fight left TO
it, to sit still while Sir George White is
invested at Ladysmith. Better than that
would be to lose 10000 men in an attempt
at relief. Accordingly, it is probable that
General Butler will try again and indeed,
that he is on the move and fighting.
'tAs he has kept General Lyttleton's bri-
gade north of the river the probabilities
are that his next move will be an advance
on Lyttleton's right. He would hardly
go to Lyttleton's left because that would
only lead 10 fresh attack on Spion kOp
and the range OF which it is a part He
would not go TO the east of Colenso eX-
cept with his whole force less Barton's
brigade. The retention of Lyttleton's OH
gade at Potgieter's Drift may, therefore,
be taken as proof that the new move will
not be east of Colenso.
EAST of Potgieters there are several
drifts, one or two of which Buffers guns
command, and he can therefore cross the
river, but the Beers have had ample time
TO prepare positions beyond the river.
"A frontal attack would, as usual, be
costly, but unless the general Is prepared
for heavy loss he has little chance OF
breaking through the Boer defenses.
The right plan would be that made by
General Sherman when he pushed back
johnson from Chattanooga to Atlanta.
Sherman entrenehed along JOhnson's
front and then extended his line to one
of the TANKS. By the time Sherman was
ready to move, he sent force around
behind his entrenched line to attack John
son in the flank and threaten his retreat,
and the confederate general withdrew.
Such tactics are practicable with only a
force numerically superior. We do not
know the strength OF the Beers in Natal.
Winston Churchill estimates them at only
$4,000, OF which 1000 are investing Lady
smith. This would give Butler 25,OOO
against 1900 and should render possible
something like Sherman's maneuvers. But
there is reason to believe that Buffers
own estimate of the Boer force Is much
higher.
Lord Roberts will certainly not hurry
his move from the Cape. He will first
complete the assembling OF his forces,
which will not all have arrived for an
other three weeks Then he will have
transports properly organized and in work
ing order before he will start. After that
he will probably make rapid movement,
but no cutlery will induce him to start
until he considers all is ready.
Last weeks report that Mafeking had
been relieved seems to have arisen from
Colonel Plumer's skirlnish near Crocodile
Pool The report came from Boer sources
and this origin of it seems TO show that
the Beers are not sanguine of success in
the northwest. They have probably re-
duced their forces in that region in order
to strengthen themselves against General
Methuen and General Butler"
Beers Fire MT Gen. LyttIeton.
Spearman's Camp, Feb. 5.-The Beers
fire occasionally at the troops on the right
flank. 1t is reported that they have dug
up the roads leading to Ladysmith in
order to make the progress difficult and
made several trenches along the route and
are busy strengthening those in front OF
their position
Destroying "A Railroad.
Modder River, Feb. 5.-The Beers have
been busy destroying the railway between
here and Langeburg, point 1000 yards
from the British advanced position.
Provisions mt Ladysmith.
Durham, Feb. 5.-A gentleman named
Gourton, who left Ladysmith after the
news of the retirement Of the British
from Spion Kop had become known there,
succeeded with the aid of Kafiirs in reach
ing Estcourt. He says the garrison is on
the whole very quiet and hopeful. Pro
visions are ample to last for a considerable
time and fresh meat is served out daily.
Beers Lost 100.
Sterkspruit, Feb. 5. 49, Commandant
Oliver OF the Orange Free State, in a
speech TO the Beers at Ladygrey, said
that his men were almost surrounded at
StOrmberg and unless recruits were forth
coming he would be compelled to abandon
the position. 1t is admitted that in the
recent. hight at Ladysmith the Beers lost
100 killed and 800 wounded.
la BuIIer Fighting Againf
London, Feb. 5.-The war officer is s.
lent regarding Butler, but there is every
reason to believe that he is continuing
his movement upon Ladysmith.
Forty Live Highlander.
London, Feb. 5.-Field Marshal Lord
Roberts has notified the war Office that