The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-15

W DAonA INC nOcH NVAunAn Ne
LONDON, Jan. Is. 4:3o a. m.-Lord Rob-
erts. enigmatical announcement, mo
change In the situation" does nothing
to allay public anxiety or to explain the
mystery surrounding Gen. Buffers move
ments on the Tugela, and. although there
is a disposition to regard the dispatch
as disposing of Saturdays adverse ru-
mors. the week has opened in a state of
suspense almost equal to that Of last
week, because It is recognized that fall
ure In Gen. Buffers present attempt
would seal the fate Of Ladysmith.
Hopes as to Bul1er.
Presumably, mo change in the situa-
tion" refers to previous dispatches sent
to the war department. which have not
yet been revealed to the public. Except
the announcement of the seizure of the
Potgieters drift and of the advance of
Gen. Warren, there has been no news
from the Tugela. A ray of hope Is in
the fact that the same silence prevails
from the Boer side. Thus 1t may, per-
haps be fairly inferred that Gen. Butler
has not yet met a serious check.
No Maps OF Tugela District.
If the announcement of Gen. Warren's
movement be correct, 1t is evidence that
Gen. Buffers forces are spread over
very wide front-perhaps twenty-five
miles--and in the event of sudden fall
of the river his operations might be full
of danger. 1t is believed that Gen. Butler
has no good survey maps of the district.
This will add to his difficulties
Gen. Warrens advance probably means
an attempt to seize Hlangwane hill, the
main post of the Beers, south of the Tu-
gela. Upon the success or failure of
these operations depends the whole fu-
ture of the campaign. Until the result
is known Lord Roberts will not be able
to decide how to dispose of the two divi-
sions and the reinforcements now arriv-
ing.
Rumors From Kimberley.
The news from other points is of no
great. Importance. Boer accounts tell of
another sortie from Kimberley on Janu-
ary 8, in the direction of Mapfers dam,
with a brisk exchange of firing. but no
result. A heavy detonation was heard
on January within Kimberley
A dispatch to the Daily Mail from Mod
der river, dated January 10. gives a ru-
NOR that Kimberley is being bombarded.
Bastards mex, mentioned in Lord Rob-
erts' dispatch as the locality of recon-
noissance, is northwest of Colesburg.
YeOmen Not Good Riders.
Doubts are beginning to be raised
whether it will be possible to get together
anything like 1000 yeomanry. Only a
very small percentage of the applicants
tfcfr, ha ndar rI nf ri nd
ing. large number of officers in the
Egyptian army have just left Cairo for
South Africa to replace those killed and
wounded.
Dispatch From Roberts.
The war office issued at midnight a dis
patch from Field Marshal Roberts, dated
Cape Town. Sunday, January IA, $3.50 p.
m. saying:
'There is no change in the situation here
today"
The war Office simultaneously issued the
following from Lord Roberts, dated Cape
Town, January 49, $3.50 p. M: "Methuens
cavalry reconnaissance returned on Janu-
ary Il Went twenty-three miles into Free
State. Country clear of enemy, except
patrols.
"All quiet at Modder river.
"French reconnoitered around the
enemy's left flank on January TO- Advanced
from Sliumgers farm. on January IL, with
cavalry and horse artillery, to lombard
Boer laager east of Colesburg junction.
but was unable to outfiank the enemy.
Reconnaissance of cavalry and mounted
infantry pushed north of Bastards mex and
examined country north of Ridge.
"Gatacre reports no change.
"All well on December IS at Mafeking"
Great Battle Imminent.
BoER HEADQUARTERS AT CoLEN-
SO, Jan. IL, via Pretoria. via Lourenzo
Marquee. Jan. 12.-Everything points to
great battle within the next few days.
Ladysmith for the last two nights has
been firing rockets. The object IS not
known here.
Boers Have Been Quiet.
LADYSMITH, Jan. u. by heliagraph.-.
The besiegers have been quiet for two
days. but can be seen in active movement
in the distant hills.
We have perceived two small bodies gall
lcping with two machine guns.
The Boer heavy piece on Bulwana hill
has not been fired for two days.
More Boer dead have been found at the
base of Caesars camp.
All is well here.
Crossed Free state Border
MODDER RIVER. Jan. 1l.-Gen. Bah
ington, with two regiments of lancers. the
Victorian mounted rides and q battery Of