Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-02-09
tBy Telegraph to virglnian-pilot.>

(By Telegraph TO Virginian- Pilot)
London, Feb. 81 a. m.-All the mes
sages from the observers with General
Butler throw in phrase or two about
the strength of the Bocr positions"
and the difficulties OF General Buffers
work." but they do not carry events
beyond Tuesday evening.
Their last slender narratives leave the
British advance on Vaal Krantz, in the
centre Of scml-circle. where the
troops are exposed to the Boer artillery
OH both sides and in the centre.
The lighting continued until Tues
day evening and almost without doubt
continued Wednesday,. as the Beers
would certainly not leave this wedge
into their lines unmolested. 1t is also
Inferred that General Butler must
either continue his advance or retire.
TOTAL BRITISH LOSSES.
The heaviest fighting appears 10 have
been Tuesday. General Buffers 223
casualties are mentlond as having oc-
Cured before Tuesday noon. Large
lists are consequently expected for the
rest OF The day. the casualties already
reported bringing the total British
losses during the war to 1924 killed
wounded and CAPTURED.
The disposition here is athcr 10 min
imizc the Importance OF the fighting in
Natal and to suggest that this is only
an incident anyway, placing hope upon
expected decisive engagements IN
Northern Cape Colony, and upon Tho
invasion of the Free State by Lord
Roberts. At all events, this is the OIL
cial view
INC public does not like thcee new
waits. ana there is sharp anxiety for
further ncws
In Cape Colony General MACDONALD
has had slirmish with thousand
H"ers at koodooborg. This was Mon
day. The Boers have been taking tho
offensive against General French. near
kcnsburg as well as against General
Gatacrc In the Stormburg hills.
NAVAL DEFECTS FEARED.
Since the war--has strained-.Aa-eA-
sources OF the military system. English
men have been troubled by the possi-
bility that sea fighting might show
naval defects. which would weaken tho
iirst line OF defence in which the conn
try has placed such complete trust.
This apprehension has suddenly
found expression During the last two
or Three days. In half the newspapers,
in England, the governments attention
has been specially directed to the muz-
Zlc-loading guns. Even public men
have been painfully surprised to learn
that sixteen battlcships and eeisht
arinored cruisers depend upon muzzle-
leaders. This means that smaller but
raster ships with modern guns would
he able to stay one Thousand or two
thousand yards ont of range and to
disable in leisurely fashion about one
third of the vessels which appear in
the naval list as "hrst-class"
The Admiralty is understood 10 be
preparing 10 remedy this defect and to
propose also considerable additions
that will preserve the present ratio of
Great Britan's naval strength to that
of France and Germany.
SUPPLEMENTARY ARMY EsTI-
MATE.
A supplementary army estimate to
March 31st was laid pro forma before
the Rouse of Commons yesterday. but
was not made public. Il is reported
that the call is for 500. 1000, which
would make the cost of the war I'D to
that date $l5o.000.G0O. The maintenance
OF 100000 men at the front. 1t is esti-
mated, costs between $4,000, 900 and
100000 per month.
London, Feb. s.-2:15 p. m.-News of
the greatest Importance may arrive at
any moment. Yet, here, there is more
doubt than exultation, for. even IT, the
recollection OF General Buffers two dis
astrous failures after auspicious starts
were not keen in the minds Of the pub
lie. the list of casualties published to-
day would be a sufficient reminder of
the tremendous difficulties OF his task.
His occupation OF Vaal Krantz, the key
to the lower ridges, while praise
worthy and gallant achievement. by no
means signifies that he and General
White will inevitably Join hands. Be
fore General Butler there are several
days OF hard fighting. and any attempt
to forecast the result would be value
less. IL based on precedent, which can
hardly be done in warfare, 1t would be
bound to be In favor of the Beers. for.
apparently. the conditions have not ma