New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-26

with Sits in the nickel cases for rendering them
expansive and highly explosive. 1t is no secret
that soldiers convert bullets with their
knives into Dumdum ammunition, and the hor-
rors of war about Koodoosrand are increased
by this inhuman expedient
The concentrations of forces on each side are
not made clear by the dispatches. The Sixth
and Ninth divisions with the cavalry division,
are at Koodoosrand. but the Seventh is not men,
toned and apparently has not been in action
portion of the First Division is not accounted
for in the dispatches. The Dutch forces from
Natal alone referred to as attacking the
British outposts. The Boer force before Kim
berley retired northward, and ought to be avail
able for concentration from the direction of
Boshof. The 'Colesberg commanders from
Fauressmith also available for a scheme of
Boer concentration, unless something like a
counter stroke is planned in attack upon
General Roberts's line of communications at
Jacobsdal, Modder River Station Belmont A
general with genius for a counter attack might
do much to embarrass General Roberts while he
was hammering away at the helpless laager in
the river bottom. The Beers have shown no
talent during the campaign for a counter stroke
While the War Office closed at midnight with
out further information from Koodoosrand there
were reports from General Methuen of the
patton of Barkly West and the rapid pacification
Of the western district. A detachment from De
Aar had started for Douglas and Britsdown.
There was reassuring from Mafekng, and
General Gatacre had conducted a successful
reconnaissance near Stormberg, with the loss of
several scouts.
BULLER's OPERATIONS IN, NATAL.
Accounts OF the Tugela operations are con-
fused and contradictory. Pretoria reported that
General Buffers force had been driven across
the river Ladysmith photographs that the Beers
are retiring northward, and Colenso dispatches
dated Saturday describe Buffers column as
capturing the hills between Groblers Kloof and
Hlangwane and steadily advancing. The march
for the relief Of Ladysmith has evidently been
retarded by an obstinate defence by the Beers
who have remained in strong force among the
hills between Colenso and Wagon Hill. Press
dispatches dealt mainly with an engagement
near Peters Station, when Hildyards brigade
attacked in front, supported by howitzers and
field guns, while General Warren was operating
on the flank. There was severe fighting, and
General Buffers advance was slowly and eau
tiously conducted. Chieveley dispatches dated
Friday describe the resistance Of the Beers as
determined. and Pretoria bulletins refer to a
sortie by the Ladysmith garrison, which was re-
pulsed with heavy losses, and even affirm that
General Buffers army has been twice forced
back. The situation not made clear at
midnight. but the reflex action of the cam
paigns east and west was apparent. Butler
was holding in Natal considerable Dutch
force which it would be awkward for General
Roberts to have his flank in the Free State.
Lord Roberts IN his turn, by entrappng General
Cronje where it was impracticable for the Dutch
to deliver him, was OBTAINING the Beers around
Ladysmith, where they were reluctant to relax
their grip on a garrison which had been wellrigh
starved out l. n. r.