The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-01-28
Is BUTLER RETREATING?
A LONDON ON DIT SAYS THAT
He is.
HIS ONLY HOPE is IN SWIFT RETREAT
So Declares Pretoria Dispatch Which the War
Office Discredi's. Another Dispatch Says
Mafekng has Been Relieved.
Leyds at Berlin.

LeyuS dl Oefilil'
London. Jan. 2S.-(4:30 a. m.--Sun-
day)-The only news ISSUED by the War
Office during the night is a dispatch
from Lord Roberts dated yesterday
Saturday stating that the situation is
unchanged and that General French re-
ports reconnaissance Of the enemy's
position on Thursday when he found the
Beers strongly posted at Pietfontein.
The maps do not show any such place
in the region of General French's opera
tons and it is probable that Reitfontein,
ten miles north of ColeSburg, is the place
alluded to.
\ special dispatch from Colenso, dated
Wednesday, January 24th, says that
COmmandant Lucas Meyers cGmmando
surprised and surrounded a strong body
of General Methuen's Infantry, killing
and wounding % and capturing Is.
POLICY OF CONCEALMENT.
London, Jan. 27.--The Defense Com
mittee of the Cabinet met at the War
Office this afternoon, Lord Salisbury pre-
siding. There are reiterated Tumors
that the gravest kind OF news from Ma
tai is being concealed by the War Office
1t is even said that General Buffers fore
es are in full retreat.
Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, the Chan
cellor of the Exchequer, came to Lon
Ion purposely to attend, and Joseph
Chamberlain. the Secretary of State for
the Colonies, gave up other engagements
tor the same reason.
1t is impossible TO confirm or deny these
reports of disaster to Buffers forces, as
the officials maintain silence. They say
they have nothing for publication. It is
evident, however, from the offlcess an
nOuncement that the casualties report
ed by General Butler occurred in Gen
eral Lyttleton's brigade, which appa-
recently was not engaged at Spion Kop,
that there has been severe fighting not
yet reported
Lord Wolseley, the Commander-in-Ch Chief
of the forces, was also present at the
meeting of the committee. There is no
mention here of the reports circulated
in the United States that General Clery
has been defeated by the Beers. The
last heard of General Clery was that he
was participating in General Warren's
movements.
WARREN WAS E1NTRAPPED.
Berlin. Jan. 27-Some of the papers
here claim TO have telegram from Pre-
toria saying that General Warren was
enticed into STion Kop. where the Beers
fell upon him: that il Of his cannon were
captured, and that Buffers hasty re-
treat over the Tugela River alone can
save him.
The alleged Pretoria telegram adds that
the British losses We're 500 men killed
and 1900 wounded. The dispatch comes
a,nH 1naS MOI
much credit In this city.
A ONE-SIDED BATTLE.
Boer Camp. Modderspruit, Upper
Tugela River. Tuesday, Jan. 23.ZThe
British are now endeavoTing to force
with 10000 troops the Spion kOp rou'c
10 Ladysmith. The firing on General
Botha's position yesterday WAS terrific.
The grass was fired, rocks dislod@ad
and trenches pierced, but the hattie was
practically One-sded, the FederalS Only
firing thirty shots. A ball from shpF
landed in General Botha's pocket. The
only Boer casualties were some horses
wounded. The firing ceased at dark, but
was resumed this morning in the vicinity
of Ladysmith and here, but up to noon
ii lacked vigOr
IMPORTANT MOVEMENTS.
London, Jan. 27-There are signs Of
important movements developing in the
North of Cane Colony. General French
has succeeded in getting in touch with
General Gatacre, possibly presaging
combination of the two columns and the
commencement of q concentration of the
forces which is believed to be the ground
work of Lord Roberts plan of campaign.
ANGER AGAINST BUTLER.
London. Jan. 27.-The War Office has
no news of the catastrophe to General
Buffers forces reported from Berlin, and
discredits the story. Neither has the
War Office any explanation at least for
publication OF the abandonment of Splon
Kop. and there are no advices in this
connection from independent sources.
The disposition today is to regard the
evacuation as not so serious as at first
Thought. and commentOrs are abusing
the military authorities, both at the front
and at home. for publishing hasty ac-
counts of an Incomplete, misunderstood
overation. thus alternately thrilling ana
decreasing the nation.
The afternoon papers describe the Cen
erals DISPATCHES as unpleasant reading
for the British people. intensely mortl-
fying to the national pride and damaging
10 the country's prestige, and scathingly