The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-01-24
Bnller Has Not Moved a Peg
For Two Days.
Opposing Armies Are But I4OO
Yards Apart.
AN ARTILLERY DUEL.
Fierce CannOnading Kept Up on
Both Sides.
British General Says He Is
Planning a Night Attack.

London, Jan. 24.-The following dis
patch from General Butler dated Spear
mans Camp. January %. $50 p. m,
has been posted:
Warren holds the position he gain
ed two days ago. In front of him, at
about 400 yards, is the enemy's posi-
tion, west of Spionkop. 1t is on higher
grounds than Warren's position, so it is
impossible to see into it properly.
1T can be approached only over bare
open slopes and the ridges held by
Warren are so steep that guns can not
be placed on them. But we are shelling
the euemy's position with howitzers
and field artillery, placed on lower
ground, behind infantry.
The enemy is replying with Creusot
and other artillery. In this duel the a,d-
vantage rests with US as we appear to
be searching his trenches and his artil-
lery fire is not causing US much loss.
AN attempt win be made tonight to
seize SpiOnkop, the salient point of
which forms the left of the enemy s
position facing Trichard's Drift and
which divides it from the position fac
ing Potgeiter's Drift 1t has consider
able command over all the enemy s en-
trenchments."
General Buffers great turning move
ment, of which so much had been eX-
pected has come to a standstin His
office telling this, after a silence of two
days reads like an. apology and an ex-
PLANTATION.
General Warren holds the ridges, but
the enemys positions are higher. The
British artillery is playing on the BOer
positions, and the Beers are replying
The British infantry is separated by
only 400 yards from the enemy, but
an approach to the steep slopes, across
the bare open would expose the British
to fatal rifle fire.
General Buffers plans have reached
their development. He declines to send
his infantry across this zone, against
formidable positions by, daylight and
disclOses his purpose to assault the
SpiOnkOp heights during the night This
appears to be the key to the Boer de-
fenses. If he takes it and thus COM
mands the adjacent country an import
ant and. possibly decisive step will be
accomplished.
TT seems that General Buffers dis
patch reached the war office rather
early in the night and was the subject
of a prolonged conference between Lord
Lansdowne, Mr.. Balfour and several
staff officials.
"A determination appears to have
been reached not to give out the mes
sage during the night, but toward 2
a. m. copies of the dispatch were made
for distribution among the newspaper
Offices. These arrived too late for ex-
tended comment"
Mail advices to the Daily Mail, from
Lisbon, dated January 19. says:
1T has been officially notified to the
government here from Lorenzo Marquez
that the Beers have committed a breach
of neutrality by crossing Portuguese
territory from Umballa to RhOdesia. A
force of artillery has been sent there
from Lorenzo Marquee, and the COVER
nor there has demanded reinforcements
from here.
Everything is being carried out with
all possible secrecy, but I am informed
on good authority that a portion of the
troops have already started for Lorenzo
Marquee and others will follow immed-
lately
The correspondent in question adds:
I am sending a cable with this letter,
but I fear it will be suppressed
The editor Of the Daily Mail appends
this note:
THE telegram was suppressed
Umballa is north of Inhambane, which
is few miles above Cabo das Corren-
tes (Cape WiIberforce) and the move