Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1900-01-25

London, Jan. -4.-Gtu buI4el
great turning movement, of which 50
much has been expected, has come TO
a standstilI. Ills carefully worded
message to the war Office telling this
after TWO days of silence reads like an
apology and explanation. Gen. War
rem holds the ridges, but the enemy
positions are higher British artillery
is playing on the boer positions and
the beers are replying The British
infantry is separated by only l,40O
yards from the enemy, but an APP
proach To the steep slopes, across the
bare open, would expose the British
to a fatel rifle fire from the enemy.
Gen. Buffers plans have reached their
Development He declines TO send IN
fantry across this zone against the
formidable positions by daylight, and
discloses his purpose to assault the
Spion kop heights during the night,
This appears to be the key to the boer
defense. If he takes it and thus
commands the adjacent country, an
important and possibly decisive step
'A'''N
General Buffers dispatch reached the
war office rather early i'll the night
and was the subject of prolonged
conference between Lord Lansdowne,
Mr.. Balfour and several staff officials.
The determination appears to nave
been reached not to give out the mes
sage during the night, but toward ,
a M. copies of the dispatch We're made
for distribution among the newspaper
offices,
The Morning Post and Standard,
touching lightly upon the unpleasant
features of the dispatch take hope
from the projected night attack, but
all things considered. the dispatch
looks like preparations for worse
news Parliament will meet in five
days. The cabinet has been hoping
for one rallyng British success to
cheer the country and command gem
erous support for fresh reveneu meas
ures Among these will be probably
an increase in the income tax to
shilling on the pound but this would
only provide the cost of five weeks
alcohol, tea and coffee will
likely be raised The cabinet
will meet at the end of a week to dis
cuss the situation. Political consid-
erations. both foreign and domestic,
and the press military authorities urge
the necessity of speedily accomplish
ing something. This may urge Gener-
al Butler to attempt his great opera
ton without adequate preparation.
This impression. whether true or not,
is abroad that Lord Roberts has
nothing to do with Buffers operations.
Butler and the war Office communicate
with each other direct. Buffers
scheme was conceived before Lord
Roberts arrived at Capetown and 1t
its execution begun the day he landed.
To Attempt Important Place,
London. Jan. 24-( 2:15)-Contrary
to the announcement made shortly
before midnight by the war office that
nothing farther would be issued until
Wednesday forenoon, the following
dispatch from Gen. Buller, dated
Spearman's camp, C23d) 6:20 p. m,
has just been posted: Gen Warren
holds the position he gained two days
ago In front of him, at about l40O
yards, is the enemy's position, west Of
Spions kop 1t is on higher ground
than Warrens position, so it is inn
possible to see into it properly. 1t
can be approached only over bare open
slopes and ridges held by Warren SO
steep guns cannot be placed on them
But we are Smelling the enemy's posi-
ton with howitzers and field artillery
placed on the ground behind the in
fantry. The enemy is replying with
creusot and other artillery In this
duel advantage rests with us, as We
appear to be searching his trenches
and his artillery fire is not causing us
much loss An attempt will be made
tonight to seize Spion's kop, the sa-
lent point Of which froms the left OF
the enemy's position facing Trichard' 5
drift and which divides it from the
position facing Potgieter's drift. II
has considerable command over all the
enemy's entrenchments,"
Beers Say British Retired
Boer camp Upper Tugela river
Jan. 24-(2lst) After Commandan'
Botha had checked the British advance
yesterday morning it was expected
there would be no further action until
tomorrow. This afternoon, however
signs were discerned Of an intended
movement in the British northern
camp When the heat which was
more frightful than any yet eXperh
enced, had worn off. the British car.
non started in fu" force and the in.
fantry advanced in extended order
Generals Botha and Cronj- held The
high hills over which the road 10 Lady
smith passes The battle ended with
the darkness. but not without eyt.
dences Of execution among the British
that were manifest al sunrise Al
Enr u-aara he