Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-02-09

The news caused considerable excite
| ment IN the House OF Commons, where
the government leader, Mr.. Balfour
had Just announced that there was no
news from South Africa.
BoERs' REFUSED.
A war Office dispatch from Lord Rob-
erts. dated Thursday, Feb. ), confirms
the reports that Gen. Gatacre has re-
pulsed the Beers at Ben Hook and
Byrd river, and that security OF both
outposts Is established
In regard TO Gen. Macdonalds opera
lions, Lord Roberts does not mention
the formers retirement to the Modder
river, He said:
Macdonald was dispatched to pre-
vent the Beers blocking the main drift
at Koodoosberg and successfully es-
tablshed himself at KOOdO0sberg In
spite OF the determined efforts Of the
Beers TO dlslodge him. Al Macdonald's
request Darlington was sent with rein
forcements Wednesday, Feb, 4 Bablng-
ton threatened the Beers north OF koo-
doosherg, while another force drove OF
the Beers southward,'
The dispatch concludes with the ate
mont:
THE enemy has now evacuated its
position and none Is In sight"
the hlll. have succeeded In reaching the
summit OF Swartz Kop. whence they
are doing excellent practice.
WAS ONLY a soRT1E.
Gen. Hector Macdonalds retirement
from Hoods Dorp has created dlsap-
polhment But the operation was APP
pal entity only intended az q sortie, aud
its success or failure could scarcely
have resulted in any material effect on
the campaign. The dispatch from Roo-
doosbers Drift does not say whether
Gen. Darlington finally Joined Gen.
Macdonald. but the word combined"
seems 10 indicate that he did so.
To the daily rumor Of the relief OF
Ladysmith was added last evening the
report that Lord Rothschlld had posi-
4 tive information 70 that effect and that
he had communicated II TO various
members OF the House Of Lords during
yesterdays session. Lord Rothschild
today said he had no news Of the ma
ture mentioned, and that he did not go
TO the House OF Lords yesterday
A rumor that Ladysmth had been re-
lleved IL again current today but the
war Office authorities say they have no
confirmation OF the report.
Military attaches viii leave tomor-
row. Their destination is not given. but
presumably they will join Lord Rob-
erts, whose whereabouts have not yet
been made public.
II was said TODAY that one OF the first
= a N a. ttHnftiI
be the raising OF 81 new horse and field
batteries with barracks on Salisbury
Plain. and the addition OF batteries to
numerous regiments which at present
are without them
A parliamentary paper issued this ar
ternoon. estimates that fl3,O0OWO Co.,
900 000) additional win be required for
the war expenses for the year ending
March 81.
BoERS DRIVE BACK BRITISH.
Head Lager. Ladysmith, Wednesday,
Feb. IAN armored train yesterday
made a sortie from Chieveley towards
Colenso and landed 1000 British troops
on the right Of the Boer position. The
Beers Immediately crossed the river
and made an attack with rifles and ar
iillery. forcing the withdrawal Of both
the train and the troops to Chieveley
The fighting on the Upper Tugela
river lasted until $3.50 o'clock yesterday
(Tuesday) evening. Particulars are
lacking. Firing at Colenso and along
the upper Tugela has been proceeding
since s o'clock this morning.
COL PLUMER DEFEATED.
Pretoria, Monday, Feb. g. Col. Plum
ers forces on Feb 2. attacked the Boer
position near Ramonsta, and aiier
heavy fighting including an endeavor
TO take the place by storm, the British
were repulsed.
Their loss is unknown No Beers were
injured.