The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-23

DURHAM, Natal. Jan. 22.-The state
ment comes from an excellent source In
Pietermaritzburg that Lord Dundon0ld
has entered Ladysmith with 1900 men.
This is not confirmed from any other
quarter, but 1t is known that Lord Dun
donald's flying column has been acting well
to the left of the line OF advance.
Hot Fighting All Day.
LONDON, Jan. 23.-The Daily Mail has
the following dated Sunday night from
Spearsmans camp:
There has been hot fighting all day. At
dawn our attack was resumed along the
entire line. all the brigades taking part
We soon discovered that the Beers still
occupied the range of hills in force. their
position being very strong. The range is
intersected by steep ravines and many ap-
proaches very difficult of access.
Beers Generally Driven Back.
To-day the Beers who were driven from
their trenches yesterday, took cover in
dongas and behind the rocks with which
the hills are strewn. The forces, therefore
commenced the task Of driving them out
and set to work with good heart in the
early morning. Much firing took place and
our progress was slow, but gradually Brit
ish pluck told its tale and the enemy fell
back to another kopje We swarmed on
and occupied it and then the attack recon-
menced with the utmost gallantry. The
country simply abounds In hills favorable
to guerrilla warfare, and our task Is an
arduous one Nevertheless, 1t Is being grad
ually accomplished. Whenever any of the
enemy were observed taking up fresh
position our field batteries poured in show
ers of shrapnel and the rapid movement
Of the guns. followed by accurate shoot
ing, must have greatly distressed them.
Beers on the Defensive.
1.-THE enemy were on the defensive al
most the entire day, save once when they
attempted to outfiank our left and were
checkmated They relied almost entirely
on rife fire. A few shells were fired from
heavy piece, but these fell harmlessly.
1--WE now occupy the lower crest on the
left and are covering slowly but surely to
the Boer center. The Boer loss is un-
known, but has been heavy. The killed
and wounded are carried away to the rear
rapidly. There are rumors in circulation
that the Beers are retiring. The battle
will be resumed tomorrow"
warren Makes Slow Progress.
The Daily Chronicle has received the
following, dated January q. AIS p. m.
from Spearmans camp:
"The Beers admit twenty-one casualties
during Gen. Lytton's skirmish on Satur-
day."
Gen Warren continues pushing, though
he is necessarily making very slow prog
ress as the Beers are numerous and
strongly intrenched.
"Our infantry are working over parallel
ridges with Lord Dundonalds cavalry ly-
ing we'll out on the left flank and await
ing developments. The Beers contest ev-
cry inch of the ground.
"This morning Gen. Warren's artillery
opened fire, but the Beers did not reply
and our fire became less hot.
1.-The naval guns in front have been
quiet. A Boer prisoner who was brought
in boasted that it would take rs three
months to reach Ladysmith."
Butler Reports Nothing Fresh.
Gen. Butler has reported nothing of his
operations on Monday and official and
press intelligence leaves the British
bivouacked Sunday night on ground they
had won after two days fighting. The
war Office turned everybody out of the
lobbies at midnight. Apparently Lord
Lansdowne was much without news all
yesterday as other persons were.
Fighting VIII he Pushed.
Military men assume that fighting must
have taken place, and that 1t was proba-
bly, more severe than on the two preced-
>.
to give the Beers leisure to add to the
elaborate intrenchments, to arrange their
artillery and to concentrate their forces.
Anxiety Mt High Tension.
The special correspondents Sunday night
were allowed to send the announcement
that the battle would almost certainly be
resumed the following day and hence Off
oial and popular anxiety is at high ten
| sion. TIE British military experts all
| share the hopes of their leaders and, as
Spencer W ilkinson points out, they hesi-
tate to say a word that might be inter-
| preted as unfavorable. Mr.. Wilkinson re-
| fers to the cooler judgment of German
| and Austrian critics." which means that
some of the best judges look upon Gen.
| Buffers enterprise as a. forlorn hope, as
! merely a continual strain of fighting
which may prove too much for the physi-
| cal energy of the troops engaged.
Opinion of One Expert.
| The Daily Mails military expert says:
Even when battle is won in a single
| day, as a rule pursuit is only possible
! when fresh troops are available. But in
| this instance 1t is not question of mere
| pursuit, but of renewing an attack upon
| intrenched positions. after a days hard
| fighting and night or lying on the bat
| tleheld."
More Reinforcements Arrive.
Renforcements aggregating 5000 or more
! have reached Cape Town during the last
! three days. 1t is uncertain how these have
been disposed, but probably most of them
| have been sent to Natal, where it is be-
| lieved Gen. Butler needs them.
other Generals Inactive.
The British in the other districts Of
| South Africa continue inactive. Lord
| Methuen's 1900 men are behind their
| works Gen. French and 1000 men at Rens-
| burg were reused on Sunday by general
| alarm that the Beers were attacking, but
! it turned out that there was no basis for
| this. Gen. Gatacre is qu!escent at Coles
( berg.
/ Colonial Officers Discontented.
| The discomfort of the colonial officers,
und tho disa urearpertS with the rA1liiarR