New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-18
A FLASH FROM BUTLER.
OFFICIAL TIDINGS THAT HAD THE Eff
Feet OF AN ANTI-CLIMAX.
copyright; 1900: BY The Tew-York Tribune.1
[BY CABLE TO THE TBIBUNE.l


london Jan. IS / a. m-There was official
news from General Butler yesterday, with the
unioue effect of an anti-climax. During the six
DAYS which have intervened since the seizure
Of Potgieter's Drift the rumor mOngers have
been triumphantly demonstrating the remarka-
ble mobility of the British army by sending a
flying column east and west of Colenso and en-
abling it to relieve Ladysnith, after turning
both ends OF Joubert's line and piercing the
centre. They have also employed horde OF
stretcher bearers by arranging attacks on three
different points. with fighting all along the line
and on both sides OF the Tugela. When the pub
lie suspense had become wenigh intolerable,
owing to the conspiracy Of silence at the front
and the industry Of the military experts in news
paper offices in developing feints, concentric
movements, concentrations on external and
internal lines, counter attacks and ambuscades,
the curtain was lifted and the first and only
Telegram received at the War Office from General
Butler since Thursday night was brought to
Eight It q casualty list with two names.
Private Mackenzie, of the ID Dorset, had died
from dysentery at Springfield Camp, and Private
Spreaggin, Of Bethune's Horse had been wound
ed in reconnaissance on the Tugela River.
NOT WITHOUT NEWS VALUE.
While this brief dispatch from General Butler
old not contain momentous tidings Of victory
or defeat, for which the nation had been waiting
with overwrought anxiety, it was not without
value as news Private Mackenzie's battalion
was in the Fifth Division and had recently ar
rived at Natal General Warren had conse-
quentiy moved with his flying column through
Springfield toward the Tugela ALTHOUGH be had
peen reported as marching eastward through
Weenen. Private Spreaggin had been wounded
as late as Monday, and, since this was the only
name reported, it was clear that there had heen
no lighting on the four previous da,s Tho
BRUSH force in that quarter was eviden+,,, holt
ing anu nae not completed the passapa oF
the river. Probably the engineers u,era
laying pontoons or building a bridge for .bo
passage Of the supply train to Iadvsro,th q
PoFnon or the force being already across tha
Ausela- POSSIBLY demonstration In foroo ,,,as
made az Potgieter's by CIery's di,is,o, Ill
"arrens division had gone through S,r,vaeo,d
TO Bethany by a longer detour. and tbence -
Dewdrop so that the enemy cou,d ho TIo,o,
between two fires.
Any number Of conjectures rnipb+ :. -.
but the essential fact was that tbera 60,
no fighting from Thursday to Mondav 1rhts
casualty list. with the War Office rs w
note that il was the only news received g.,
eprlhgneId' contrasted strangely with the nr,-
Fsie olspatch from General Butler to an ,n+,
mate personal friend stating that his force u,as
occupying very strong position. There could
hardly be neater illustration Of tbe nroo.,...
operation Of the embargo upon the news sro1,
the front. The censorship had shut off ALI rraaa
messages except idle and misleading rupors
from the coast Public anxiety had been in