, 1900-01-09

encouraged.
London, Jan. after long hours of
suspense, during which it might be
said that the British nation found it.
self facing one of the most serious dan
gers which has threatened the empire
for a century, news arrived yesterday
just before 4 o'clock that General
White succeeded in beating off the Bo-
er attacks and that L%adysmith with its
5000 defenders was still safe. The
sigh of relief which went up from the
crowds gathered at the war office was
re-echoed all over the empire, where
the news was Immediately flashed.
Yesterday began gloomy enough. All
the morning papers commented upon
the critical situation of General White,
and General Buffers inability to succor
him.
On the stock exchange at the open
ing there was a downward movement
Of prices all around. Stocks were free
ly offered, but there was no disposition
to buy. Consols r~elapsed the most
and home railway securities fell appre-
ciably in some cases. At the war office
both Hobbies were thronged with anx-
ious callers, seeking information as to
the position of Ladysmith. As after
noon wore on a rumor got abroad hat
Ladysmith had surrendered. Though
1t was not given credence, still the re-
port sent a shudder through the wait
ing hundreds. But this feeling, akin
to despair, gave place to enthusiastic
relief when IN official telegram chron-
telling the victory of General Whites
force was posted. All the wild rumors
of the morning melted into nothing as
Whites cheering words: Enemy re-
pulsed everywhere passed from lip to
lip.
According to an official report,
which is the only news received so far,
the battle ragged for II hours. 1t be-
gun at a quarter of 2 o'clock Saturday
morning and did not end until half past
! III II SNSDIh6,
Some of the British interenchments
on Wagon hill were taken three times
by the Beers and as often ,egained by
their defenders. One point of the Brit
ish position, which General White does
not specify, was occupied by the Beers
during the whole day. but at nightfall
and under cover of a heavy rain storm,
the Devonshire regiment succeeded IN
turning them out at the point of the
bayonet.
Possibly, as the De%vonshires were
stationed at Helpmakaan hill, east of
the camp, it was that position that was
the scene of their exploit The chief
Boer attacks were directed at Caesars
camp and Wagon hill, which was de-
Tended by the Manchester regiment and
the Gordon Highlanders. Coming up
from the south. perhaps by way of
Fouries' Spruit. the Beers assaulted
three times with great obstinacy and
vigor, sometimes obtaining a foothold
and again falling back before the Brit
ish bayonet charge.
Meanwhile, later, as commando after
commando came up from Colenso, the
fighting lines gradually spread yer the
whole circle of entrenchments, includ-
ing, without doubt. the great Boer
forts on Mount Isimbulwana and Lo-
bard's kop. 1t is possible that Com
mandant Joubert had at least 10000
men.
While General White has obtained
a breathing spell, the seriousness of
his situation is by no means lessened.
In fact, his position is shown to be
more critical than official reports and
newspaper dispatches had previously
indicated. The mere circumstances
that such an attack could be made and
pressed home with the utmost deter
mination proves that the Boer forces
in Natal have become something more
than mere groups of armed men; that
they are an army in the true sense,
ready to assail as well as defend. To
have recaptured the positions from
which they had been ousted at the bay
onet's point is an achievement that
was not expected of these Transvaal
farmers, and unless General Butler can
shortly give help the Ladysmith garri-
son must succumb in the end. There
are no instances in recent wars where
a besieged and surrounded force has
succeeded in extricating itself by its
own efforts.
AS is well known, the British posi-
tions at Ladysmith are by nature weak.