The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-02-06

thority that General Butler has again
crossed the Tugela river at three places
and that lighting has been preceding
all day long.
The war Office has TO news OF Gener-
al Buffers alleged movements as re-
ported by the 81. James Gazette. but
the papers says II has no reason to
doubt the correctness OF its informa-
ton. although il has not yet learned
the exact positions General Butler seiz-
ed.
Spearmans Camp. Natal. January
30.-There is an optimistic feeling in
all ranks. The troops are confident OF
ultimate success. Great enthusiasm
was aroused by the queens message
and General Buller's speech. express
ing admiration for General warren's
and General Ciery's divisions and hop
ing they would reach Ladysmith in a
week.
The natives persist in asserting that
General Houbert was killed by a shell
outside of Ladysmith-
NEWS FROM MAFEKING.
Buluwayo, Saturday. January 90
A message from Colonel Plumer. who
was at Gaberon with the Mafeking re-
lief force, says he has received a mes
sage from Colonel Baden-Powell. dat
ed Mafeking January 18th saying:
"All here well during the past fort
night. / AVE been pushing out the
trenche towards the enemy's big guns
and, January 18th, their ~94-pounder
and nigh velocity krupp evacuate po-
sitions and retired eastward OF the
town, whence they are capable OF little
my on three sides well out OF rifle shot.
L have opened a new grazing ground
for cattle.
The enemy still has two strong po-
sitions on the east side which we hope
to shift with dynamite"
BRITISH CASUALTY LIST.
London. February 1.-The war office
this evening completes the list of the
British casualties at Spion kop by an
nouncing the names OF 2l5 missing
men Of various regiments. including
1S7 members Of the Lancashire Fusi-
liers.
1t is generally supposed General
Butler is maturing nothe attempt to
reach Ladysmith.
EUROPEANS IN BOER ARMY.
A letter appears today from a Han
overian officer, formerly of the Twenty
second German infantry, but now
among the military advisors of the
Beers, which says that nearly 10000
trained European soldiers. including
quite 300 officers. are among the Beers.
Referring to the military situation at
Ladysmith. the officer says: Owing
to the strength of our position. on a
circle of heights. like Sedan, we cannot
be brushed aside except by a relief
column o~utnumbering us two to one"
Owing to the discovery that cotton
khaki is insufficient protection for
troops sleeping on the South African
plains, the government is starting to
re-clothe the forces in the field with
wooden khaki, and has already ordered
$4,000 suits in Glasgow alone.
CANON FARRAR.
Canon Farrar. who was forced to
cav Pretoria with other British cler-
gymen, has arrived In London. With
reference to Charles E. Macrum. the
former United States consul at Preto-
ria, Canon Farrar said to a represent
alive Of the Associated Press:
Mr.. Macrum was one OF the last
men / saw before leaving. I told him
he was taking the wrong side n did
not understand the American feeling.
His chief care seemed to be for his
personal safety. and I think IT was
chiefly on that account that he left in
the midst Of the crisis. He Is not a
strong man and President Kruger may
have taken advantage Of this.
I'm regard to Blake's so-called volun-
teers, they are like Mr.. Blake, mostly
b~urghers who woul have been obliged
to fight anyway. Mr.. Macrum said
there were 5000 Americans in the
Transvaal most Of whom the United
States was glad to get rid Of" Pre-
toria, Canon Farrar added, was pre-
visioned for two years.
LACK OF SYMPATHY BETWEEN
PEOPLE AND GOVERNMENT.
In the absence of exciting war news.
the nation n the newspapers have
a time to discover the utter lack of
| relation existing between the feeling of
the people and the temper of the gov
eminent, as demonstrated in parIia-
ment, where. instead of relieving the
grave anxiety Of the country by the
declaration OF measures II f. proposed
TO take In behalf Of the national safe
ty, the ministers continue to demon
strate their inability to grasp the stu
alton. by beating the air with recrfmi-
nations. self-accusatory defence and
chickering's az to the degree of respon-
sibility attachable to the respective
departments OF the government The
disgust, almost dispair. noticeable On
all sides. is voiced by the uItra-minis-
terial organ, The Globe. which says:
lHc HedTl oI the eIHplFt seem1 p6f0ly-
Zed, while It's extremities are In full
vigor. Thus far only n statesman
in the front rank has struck the right
note and that Is Lord Rosebery."
London, February 2...4:30 a. MIR.
Wyndham's remarkable declaration In
the house Of commons today that Great
Britain will have In a fortnight a total
of $3.50 o troops in South Africa with
452 guns. Is received with wonderment.
All are now there. except about 5000
that are affoat. Beyond comparison
this Is the largest force Great Britain
has ever put into the field. At the end
OF he Crimean war she had scraped
together $1,000 men. wellington at
Waterloo Ia 5000.
The British forces in South Africa,
exclusive of the Eighth division and
the Fourth cavalry brigade. comprise
$4,000 foot and artillery, 400 cavalry.
So seige guns, IS naval guns. So howftz-
ers, 81 batteries Of horse artillery and
pa field guns, while the combined forces