Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-01-09
BIG battle IS IMMINENT.
Important Move by Gen. Butler on
the Tugela River Is Daily
Expected.
MAFEKIAG IN A DESPERATE SITUATION.
Seized by the British Mt Alden Has
Been Relensed-No Contraband of
War Found - Fighting Around
Colesberg Continues.

London, Jan. s.-Though nothing
definite is permitted to pass the censor,
sufficient transpires to confirm the be-
lief that an important move on the
Tugela river is imminent. The contin-
ual bombardment kept up on the Boer
entertainments and the numerous re-
connaisances are apparently connect
ed with a well-defned purpose. There
are some indications that the British
plan of attack includes an important
movement via Weenen.
Cannot Hold Out Much Longer.
Col. Baden-Powell's defeat in the
sortie at Mafeking raises serious doubts
of his ability to hold out much longer.
Saturday, however, comes a report that
Col. Plumer reached Mochudi, from
Fort Tuli, about January 1, with the
Rhodesian relief force. AS Col. Plumer
had at his disposal about 1000 men, if
the news is correct, he ought to be able
to raise the siege of Mafeking.
The inconclusive fighting around
Colesberg was renewed Saturday
morning, the British artillery open
ing to the westward of the town. The
dispatches indicate that the attack is
developing into general engage
ment.
Advices from Belmont say that two
companies of Canadians, dispatched
to cover the return of Col. Pitchers
column, occupied pass six miles out,
to prevent any attempt of the Beers
to cut off the force
A dispatch from Cape Town rela-
five to the release of the steamer
Mashona, having quantity of Amer
lean -four on board, says the case
arouses less interest than that of the
Bundesrath, which, it is claimed, has
been known for year as carrier of
war materials to the Transvaal.
Col. Sir Charles Howard Vincent
sailed for South Africa Saturday, al
though the doctors have not permit
ted him to accompany the London
volunteers. Col. Vincent is deter
mined to give his unofficial services
at the seat of war.
Rumor from Cape Town.
A special dispatch from Cape Town
Saturday says it is rumored there that
Gen. French has entered Colesberg.
The British admiralty has char
tered for use as a transport the At
lantic transport line steamer Manhat-
tan, Capt. Pearce, which arrived at
London January 4, from New York.
Striking Scene.
There was striking scene in the
courtroom of the headquarters of
the Honorable artillery company Sat
urday, when the lord mayor, A. J.
Newton, sheriffs and aldermen at
tended in state to swear in the COM
pany. accompanying four-gun bat
terry, which is going to the front.
The ceremony was witnessed by many
distinguished people. Lord Denbigh,
the lieutenant colonel communicable
Honorable artillery company, thanked
the lord mayor, who made a speech
eulogizing the historic services of the
Honorable artillery company. The
German cruiser Condor arrived at
Durham Thursday and started Friday
for Lorenzo Marques.
According to a special dispatch from
Cape Town Gen. Methuen is building
railroad around the Beers position
at Magersfontein.
Release Steamer.
Berlin, Jan. S.-A dispatch received
here from Alden, the British fortified
port at the southern entrance of the
Red sea, says the authorities of that
place have renowned all further search
of the imperial German mail steamer
General, detained there under sus-
picion of having contraband of war
on board. The dispatch adds that
the steamer will resume her voyage
in a few days.
A Detailed Account.
London, Jan. S.-The Times pub
fishes the following dispatch from
Mafeking, dated December 20:
"At dawn to-day Col Baden-P Powell or
ganized an unsuccessful attack upon a
strong position of the enemy at Gametree
two miles from Matching, from which the
Beers have been maintaining a desuitory
but annoying shell and rifle fire for severa .
weeks. The railway has recently been re-
constructed between the town and Came
tree, where the Beers had destroyed it, the
final repairs being made in preparation for
the sortie. During the night the armored
train, with maxim and hotchkiss guns, I'M
der Capt. Williams and troops, took up po-
Sitions for attack from two sides. Capt. Lord
Charles Bentinck and a squadron were in
reserve upon the left, while the extreme left
wing was occupied by artillery under Maj.
Panzera and a galloping maxim of the Cape
police, the whole being under Col Hore.
Fmplaesments We're thrown up during the
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