The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-01-26

$50 . SAC0N ~ III NAAlCIll VI
which so much had been expected, has
come to a ~standstin. His carefully
wOrded message to the war office tell
ing this, after a silence of two days,
reads like an apology and an expIana-
ton.
General Warren holds the ridges, but
n enemy's positions are higher. The
British artillery is playing on the Boer
positions, and the Beers are replying.
Ihe British Infantry is separated by
only 1,40O yards from the enemy. hut
! an approach to the step slopes across
the bare open would expose the Brit
ish 70 a fatal rifle fire.
General Buffers plans have reacbed
their development. He declines to send
ms infantry across this zone against
formidable positions by daylight, and
dlscloses his purpose to assault the
Spion kop heights during the night.
rms appears to be the key to the Boer
defenses. If he takes it and thus COM
mands the adjacent country. an i'm
portant, possibly, a decisive step will
be accomplished.
1t seems that General Buffers dis
patch reached the war office rather
early in the night and was the subject
OF a prolonged conference between
Lord LansdOWne, Mr.. Balfour and sew
eral staff officials.
The Butler dispatch, all things con-
sidered, looks like preparation for
worse news, to some of the
Parliament Will meet in five days.
The cabinet had been Oping for one
rallying British success to cheer the
country and to generous
support for fresh revenue measures.
Among these will be probably an in
crease of the income tax to a shilling
IN the nnIIn6 hIIt this would nnJx nra
vide the cost of five weeks hOstilities.
The duties or tobacco, alcohol, tea and
coffee are likely to be raised.
The bin will meet at the end of
the week and discuss the situation. Po-
Htical considerations, both foreign and
domestic, press upon the military au-
thorltleS the necessity of speedily ac-
cOmplishing something. These authori-
ties may have been persuaded to urge
General Butler to attempt his great Op-
Grafton without adequate preparation.
Apparently, Lord Roberts has nothing
whatever to do will General Buffers
operations. General Butler and the
war office communicate with each 9TH
er direct.
BULLBR'S REPORT.
London, January "a, 2:15 a.. m.-The
fpllOwing dispatch from Butler dated
Nv Spearman's Camp January 23rd,
11fsS War p; % afild has just been received at
Warren holds the position he gained
two Tvs ago. In front of him., at
about 400 yards in the enemy's posi-
ton, west of Spion's kop. 1t is on
<Ser ground that Warren's position
is impossible to see INTO it proper
1t can be approached only over
open slopes, and the ridges held
Warren are so steep that guns can
I be placed on them; but we are
Smelling the enemy's position with
hOwitzers and field artillery, placed on
lower ground. behind infantry.
1.-The enemy is replying with Cruesot
and other articllery. In this duer the
advantage rests with us, as we appear
to be searching his trenches and his
artillery fire is not causing much loss.
IAN attempt will be made tonight to
seize SpiOn's kop, the salient of which
forms the left of the enemy's position,
facing ~richar drift and which di-
vides it from the position facing Pot
e, gieter's drift. 1t has considerable
command over all the enemy's en-
trenchment."
Boer Head Lager, Ladysmith, Mon
day, January pa battle has been
raging along the Oliviers Hook road,
since Saturday., between the Beers I'M
der PretOrious and 5000 British. The
fighting is in full swing at SpiOn's kop.
The Beers under Botha, and Cronje
have been sent thither. The British
elsewhere are only making a recon-
Nuisance of the Boer positions. Pres
ident Steyn was under fire at the fore
most position of the Free Staters.
BOER ACCOUNT OF SUNDAYS
BATTLE.
Boer Camp, Upper Tigela River, jan
uary Platter commandment Botha
checked the British advance yesterday
morning it was expected that there
would be no further action until to-
: morrow. This afternoon, however,
signs were discerned of a intended
movement in the British northern
camp. When the heat. which was
more frightful than any yet eXper1
enced, had worn off, the British cannon
started in full force and the infantry
advanced in extended order.
Generals Botha and Cronje held the
high hills over which the roa to Lady
smith passed. When the Mauser fire
opened a pandemOnium of sound filled
the air. The Vindictive crash of Lydd-
lite shells, the sharp volleys of Lee-Met-
fOrds. and the whiplike crack of Maus-
erS were interSpersed with the boom of
the Boer MaXims. The battle ended
with darkness, but not without evil
denceS of execution among the British
that were manifest at sunrise. Field
cornet Ernst Emilio was killed, nor did
the generals escape ~unscathed-
At the central position, Swart kop,
where the other road to Ladysmlth
crosses the hills, the British advanced
from low kopjes on the n of the
Tugela unmOlested. Their they entered
the zone of Mauser fire and although
their naval guns kept up the usual ter
rible racket. the advance was stopped,
and the British had to carry u their
dead and
Commandant Viljoen and two burSh-
ers were knocked senseless by an eX-
plosion of Lyddite, but Viljoen recoV-
cred. Field Cornet Hilbron was
wounded, and on refusing to surrender
was shot.
The British loss was probably In
. significant. They complain that ex-
pansive bullets in MauSerS were found
ENIon the field and that soft-nosed bullets
with Lee-Metfords. The Beers admit
that sporting Mausers were occasional
ly found, but they deny the charge re-
- -r1a4s1 a-ronciya hI,1Iafc Mot a