The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1900-02-14
SITUATION AT LADYSMITH
BeIeaRuered Garrison May Soon Sur

retired again to the south side of the Tu-
gela. The Boer kilograms have been gen
orally correct hitherto, however, and the
public inclines to the belief that the re-
port is accurate. The London morning
papers publish dispatches from various
sources which indicate that Gen. Butler
had found his position on the Vaalkrantz
ridge difficult one to hold and the 81
lence from the war office is taken as cor
roboration of the report that the third
attempt to relieve Ladysmlth has failed.
The military critics are almost unanl-
nous in the belief that Ladysmith cannot
hold out against another Boer attack.
One London paper strongly hints that
Gen. Buffers operations are for the pur-
pose Of distracting the attention OF the
Beers from a projected central ADVANCE
by strong force, presumably headed by
Lord Roberts.
The Public ia Curious.
The government announcement that IN
three weeks time Lord Roberts will have
1914, 900 men in South Africa, lntensihes
the public curiosity to unveil that closest
official secret where this stupendous force
is.
High authorities agree that Lord Rob
erts, after safeguarding his communlca-
tions, will have only from $4,000 to 40
600 men for his northward march Estl-
mates of how many Beers he will have to
face are mere guesswOrk, so much de-
ponds upon the fate of Ladysmith and
the number of Beers released from that
point.
Extraordinary efforts have beeen made
by the censor to conceal Lord Roberts
destination. but the general idea seems to
be that he contemplates an advance to-
wards BlOemfontein.
British Patrol Captured.
l-csfr
states that British patrol consisting of
a sergeant and six men of Brabant's
horse, at Browns farm, was surprised
and captured early yesterday morning,
prior to the Boer attacks on the Pen
hook and Byrd's river camps.
The relief sent from Penhoek Numbered
on 300 Beers. One man of the Cape
Mounted rifles, whose horse was shot,
was captured. but the others escaped.
A Frenchman who is supposed to be
spy was caught and brought to Sterk-
stroom camp last night.
There has been no further fighting to-
day. Patrols sent out this morning from
Penhoek report having seen nothing of
any Beers.
Butler Not Pressed for Details.
London, Feb 10-Mr. Balfour, the
government leader, replying to Ques-
ton in the House of Commons as to
ceived from the seat of war, said: Our
information points to the fact that Gen.
Butler is not pressing an advance from
the position he has occupied. We do not
consider it right to press him for details
of the operations which are in progress,
nor if he gives such information do we
deem it proper to make this public until
such operations are completed. The gov
eminent has no information as to wheth-
er Gen. Macdonald has retired"
Believes Buller's Task Difficult.
The Times in an editorial dealing with
Gen. Buffers task says: The problem
before him is unquestionably most diff
cult. We cannot be surprised or dis
heartened should he be unable to solve
it with success. His task is not merely
to force way through the Boer lines to
Ladysmith. That operation would be
enough But it would be easy
with the feat he must perform
if large strategical results are to follow
his efforts. He must infict crushing
defeat upon the Boer army. Unless he
can drive into the Drakensberg or other
wise destroy that army the relief of
Ladysmith can hardly be accomplished
with safety. We await the issue of the
operation with great anxiety"
Will Encourage Republicans.
This new repulse of the British will
further raise the morale of the Boer
army in Natal. which has already nu-
successes to its credit, and will
depress the spirits of the
British soldiers.
The Beers also realize the significance
of Lord Roberts preparations to advance
on Bloemfontein. of which they are, no
doubt, well Informed.
Queens Solicitude.
Tho O,,oou,c Eonp intproct Con
and the Highland brigade
was evidenced by the great concern she
showed at the news of MacDonald'S re-
tirement from KoOdoosberg Her males
ty sent special inquiries to the war office.
but as the officials had no knowledge of
the movement up to midnight the Queen
made her secretary telegraph twice to
minute details, whence the news came
and who sent it, and requesting the ear
Hest notification of any explanation re-
ceived.
Retirement Temporary.
A special dispatch dated Spearman's
Camp, Friday, February g. says that
Gen. Buffers retirement was merely tenn
porary, owing to determination to
change tactics. The force, the dispatch
adds, will soon resume operations. The
were mostly slight wounds.
French People Jubilant.
Paris, Feb. 10.-The French, who have |
persisted in believing all along that the
present advance Of the British was des-
tined either to be decisively checked or
to end in defeat, are oyerjoyed at the
news that Gen. Butler has been COM
PEELED again to retreat beyond the Tu-
gela river. That, however, is because of
the national feeling of antipathy to Great
Britain and the British.
Lessons Taught by the Beers.
NJ Emile Zola, in conversation earlier |
in the day, took this broader view:
''The Beers are teaching us good many
things besides the power of united pee
pie striving to defend a grand idea. They |
are proving that it is by no means the |
nation that spends millions a year in ar
that proves the strongest in |
war; They are making the strongest pos
sible argument against the exaggerated |
idea of the value of tremendous military
establishments.
Army a Necessary Evil.
although | am not at all opposed to
the army, which | judge to be neces-
sary evil in society as at present it is |
constituted, | am powerfully struck with |
the new conception of national power for
defense suggested by the success of these
doughty Beers"