Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-01-24
The Situation IN Natal.

London, Jan. "a. keen anxiety pre-
vsils throughout England today for
news of the result ,f General Warren's
night attack on Spi, IA kop, which Bu!-
Ter, in a dispatch IL te last night, ssid
was meditated. Th kop, or hill Is re-
garded a. the stro 7gest held by the
Beers in advance of their main line OF
intrenchments and probably as strong
~ any they hold. CrOnje who defeated
Metbuen at MagersfonteiD is at SpioD
kop directing the burghers' fight. All
night long the war office wa brilliantly
lighted up and many officis, were Oh
hand awaiting news of the afiDg step
that Butler has ordered. n OF line,
however, came from Butler. h DON went
by and still nothing came and anxiety
on all sides increased. General Buffers
dispatch announcing that War. 'en was
to make q night attack with thu bsyo
net, one of the most hazardous leafs Of
modern warfare, il taken to h1dlcatH
that bis thanking movement, witch
Warren undertook, has failed.
Butler apparently has been forced to
return 10 the tactics which have I bus far
proved unsuccessful-tha is, fronta
attack on a fortified enemy. The only
change is that the attack was TO be
made at night. Methuen tried this at
MagersfonteiD, but it resulted in fe arful
loss of lie in the Highland brigade which
had been sent 10 do the work. Re-
Numbering this. it can easily be seen
with what fear and anxiety the En glish
people await the result OF Blu HERE
movements. Another defeat ard 1t
would not be surprising to see the YER
throw Of the present ministry.
The first sign of discord among the
English people as to the Carrying on OF
the war is amour ced today. John
Bryr- Roberts, leader OF the Wells
liberals in the House OF Comm ons, has
given notice that he will Peak 10
Parliament in favor OF cess alton Of
| hostilities in South Africa at the first
possible moment.
London, Jan. 24.-Letters received
from British prisoners at Pre- ;Oria say
that they have received me pey sent
hem in care of the American consul.
The Beers also allow them to cash
checks.
Capetown, Jan. 24.-It is videDt
from the reconnaissance made by Ger
ersl Methuen on Monday that Gen
ersl CroDje did not send reinforce ments
70 Natal as was reported last week.
Monday afternoon Methuen pusl led II
battery of howitzers forward under
cover of infantry and opened Wig orous
Smelling Of the Boer position, 'hicl was
replied to by the Beers. The inf iutry
was not engaged. There were, no
casualties. The Beers trench es could
De plainly seen. They were leep and
strongly occupied.
Kimberley, Jan. 23.-(De Iayed.)-
The Beers continue to bomi )srd the
town vigorously. They are lso doing
COL siderable shipping OF cattle and take
shots at the British outposts.
London, Jau. 24.-Englsnd late this
afternoon is waiting for news rom Bull
er. Nothing had been receiv' I'd up to
1 .. m. or if news arrived, the war
officials have not seen fit to ii We it out.
Prominent officials are al the war
office waiting for some intiI Ia ton OF
the result of Warren's attack On SpiOD
kop, and there are crowds in be street.
According to rumor on the exc 'hange
General Warren has captured SpiOn
kop.
General French reports from Coles
berg that he found the country cl ear OF
the enemy to the eastward. thou, ID the
Beers are more numerous. 10 the iortb
Otherwise, the situation ia uncha nged.