The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1900-02-09
War NeMs rs Menrre

the strength Of the Beors position" and
the difficulties OF General Buffers
work, but they do not carry events be-
yond Tuesday evening
Their last slender narratives leave the
British advance on Vaal Krantz. I'm the
ccu,er Of a seih-c.rcle wnere the troops
are exposed to the Boer artillery on both
sides and in the center
The fighting continued until nine o'clock
Tuesday evening. ana almost without
doubt continued Wednesday, as the Beers
certainly would not leave this wedge into
their lines unmolested. II Is also inferred
that General Butler must either continue
his advance or retire.
The heaviest fighting appears to have
been on Tuesday General Buffers 23S
casualties are mentioned as having oc-
CURED before noon Tuesday Large lists
are consequently expected for the rest Of
the day. The casualties already repor1 ed
bring the total British losses during the
war to 1924 killed, wounded and captur-
ed
The disposition here IS rather TO mlni-
mize the importance OF the fighting I'm Ma
tai and TO suggest that this Us only an ac-
cldent anyway. placing hope upon expec,-
ed decisive engagements IN northern Cape
Colony and upon the invasion Of the Free
State by Lord Roberts. At all events.
this is the official view.
The public does not IKE these new waits
and there is sharp anxiety for further
news
In Cape Colony General Mcdonald has
had a slSirmish with a thousand Beers at
Koodooborg. This was on Monday. The
Beers have been taking the offensive
against General French near Rensburg as
well as against General Gatacre in the
Stromberk hills.
Since the war has strained the re-
sources of the military system. English
men have been troubled by the possibility
chat sea fighting might show naval de-
fects which would weaken the first line
OF defense i'm which the country has plac-
ed such complete trust. This apprehen-
sion has suddenly found expression. Dur
ing the last two or three days I'm half OF
the newspapers I'm England, the govern
ments attent on has been specially direct
ed to the muzzle loading guns. Even
public men have been painfully surprised
TO learn that sixteen battleships and
eight armored cruisers depend upon muz-
zle leaders. This means that smaller but
faster ships with modern guns would be
able to stay one or two thousand yards
out OF range
The admiralty is understood TO be pre-
pairing 10 remedy this defect and to pro-
pose also considerable additions that viii
preserve the present ratio of Grea Brit
aims naval strength to that OF France,
and Germany
The supplementary army estimate 20
March 81. has laid pro forma before the
house Of commons yesterday but was not
made public.
II Is understood the can Is for 10000. OOc
pounds which would make the cost of war
up TO tthat date 2O,OO0OO0 pounds
LONDON. FEB 9.-The Daily Teie-
graph has received the following dispatcn.
dated Tuesday February 9Th, from spea,-
mans Camp:
This is the second day Of the battle
and the fighting has been nercer than 81
VISA yesterday AT dawn the Beers began
the action OF shellng our bivouac with
their Long Tom and POmpon guns from
RN'AA ANANNAs AllfAA p y lliNn Niftla ltal
near the spot where General Butler and
his stafr were watching the engagement
one shell burst among squadron of the
Thirteenth Hussars, but not soul was
touched.
Our guns from Swarts Kop and on the
plain soon silenced the enemys artillery.
hut repeatedly the Beers brought back
thedr guns, popped them into work over
the hills. fired a few shots and then again
changed their positions.
During the morning our gunners sue
ceeded IN blowing up the enemy's amniuni
tion wagon upon Doom Kloof Genrt al
Lyrtleton's brigade was shot at from
three sides and had warm time
desperate efforts were made by the
Beers 70 recover the smoking hill. The
Durham light infantry, The kings roya
rifles and the Scottish rifles gallautly
charged and cleared the position General
Hilyard's brigade relieved General Lyt.
tletons brigade toward sunset
Fighting continued until nine Several
prisoners have been taken. They dec are
that the Beers yesterday lost heavily. Tho
enemy suffered severely today. II rs re-
ported that among their dead in 'lc
trenches ARMED KaTirs were found"
BoERs TAKE PRIsoNRs.
DURHAM. FEB. s-A large force Of
Beers attacked Nordweni, I'm Zrlulan1
destroyed the public building anl TOOK
numerous prisoner. a force OF yN'nn-
teers, with artillery has been dispatched
thifher to support the scouts and 10 oD-