Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-02-14
With the BoerS in the Vi
entity Of ColeSberg.
ENFORCED RETIREMENT
To RenSberg Was Due to a Double
Thanking Movement by the Boer
Forces Under Gen. Delaney-Gen.
Buffers Plans Not Known.

London, Feb. IA. APO a. m.-The news
of the day is the enforced retirement of
the British force from Colesberg district
under heavy Boer pressure and probably
after brisk fighting. Thus, at a time
when Lord Roberts is apparently able
to push an army into the Free state,
the Beers make a counter strike in un-
known, but seemingly great force, not
far from the vital line of railway con-
Meeting De Aar and the Orange river.
Military observers do not regard this
as more than a menace. Nevertheless
the news produces an unpleasant imp
ression here.
General French had Unanswered the
Beers out of Rensberg in December. On
Jan. | it was reported that he could take
Colesberg in two days with reinforce
ments. These were sent, but the Beers
We're also reinforced. Since then the
British lines have been extended east and
west so thai at the opening of this week
they constitute a great horseshoe, 20
miles in length. The lines are not con-
t~inuous, but all the strong positions are
held. General French when he joined
General Roberts took most of his cavalry.
General Clements was left with the In
fantry to hold the Beers in check, but
Commandment Delaney. with a ouble
turning movement. has compelled the
British to concentrate at Rensberg Oe.
sides threatening Roberts ommunlca
ton.
The Boer mastery Of the district has
caused a spread Of the insurrection, but
this no doubt will be promptly suppress
sed, as large British forces are available
not far away. The indications as to
~,,A. ID,,I1 Nsc 49,, Ii aatn inthnt innS a y
contradictory. One informant who has
intimate relations with the wal office.
predicts a movement within the next
day or two. A number of correspond
ents who nave bean with General Butler
have gone to Durham for Il few days
rest. under the impression that nothing
is to be done.
London, Feb. IA dispatch to the
Daily Mail from Rensberg dated yester-
day says: There has been hard fighting
for some days near Colesberg, the Beers
the British left. The enemy occupies
strong positions from Achterlang through
P%otfontein to a point five miles south Of
Jasfontein.
The fighting ait the outpost camps has
been very severe during me last few
days. Yesterday the Beers attacked the
position of the Worcesters to the south
east of Colesbers. Fighting continued
all day and after dark it was consider
ed necessary to Withdraw to Rensberg.
Our losses are not yet known.
On the left the West Australians, Wilt
shires and B6rkshires and hot fights, but
held their positions against long odds.
The Roer losses We're considerable.
Owing to the growing difficulties eS-
perienced by cowboys in reaching the
camps. all the after were vacated last
night and the troops withdrew to Rens-
berg. The Beers are burning the farms
Of the loyalists. but the latter have con
trived to get away with their stock.
The fact that General Buffers dis
patch, revising the casualties to the Brit
ish troops at Potgieter's drift, is dated
from Chieveley, is taken in som quarters
as an indication that General Butler has
removed his headquarters to that place
There is nothing to indicate whether OF
not he left any large force at Springfield
London, Feb. 13.-When debate on thu
army supplementary estimates was re,
sumed Mr.. Wyndham, during the course
of a speech again inttmated that an at
tempt Would be made to .recontruct tn,
army. which, he said. he Thought, SHOULD
not be closed to officers who did not en-
joy an income Of from G15J to $500
year.
Mr.. Wyndham also said 1t was a scan
dial and danger to the EN- pire that youn:
men could not enter the cavalry unit
their fathers were able to give them $50
a year
The under secretary further an
nounced that it was not intended t.
raise volunteers in Ireland.
London. Feb. 13. - AS the convic
tlon grows in Great Britain tina the wa
will be long, the efforts for providing 70
the sick and wounded and the familie
doubling. There is scarcely a womal
In England who, in addition to mailinI
articles of clothing for those in the flel1
and in the hospitals. is not working TO
and contributing to some social fund
Mrs. Arthur Paget's entertainment to
families of the Household troops, il
which her husband is a colonel OF tn
Scots guards.
The Mansion house fund exceed
amounts to c119,OO0 and the Daily Mail
totals G77.000. These amounts cove
only the largest London funds and d
not include numerous provincial funds {
large amounts being raised to equip vo.
unteers.
The equipment OF the yeomanry hos
pdtal has just left England for the Cap
The aides at the head of his charit
have now eclded to raise funds to kee
the hospital going for six months am
have issued the following appeal to til
British residents of the United States:
we are endeavoring to address a
appeal to our fellow countrymen, VIII
although absent from their native Ian
are mixed up heart and soul in its pro!
perity. America has generously give
and is still maintaining a hospital shi
for our wounded soldiers. This magn
f1cence is deeply appreciated in OF
country and this appeal is addressed
those who cannot for various reason
fight at their country's call. All I'll
bravest Of Great Britain's soldiers wi
shortly be at the front. We would as
their absent comrades to prove by the
ltberality that they are mindful OF su
2erinss Of those who fall bravely