The age-herald., 1900-01-24
BRITISH TROOPS
 AT A STANDST|LL Warren Holds His Position But
 Cannot Advance. PLANNING A ! ATTACK Buffers MesS b War Office Reads z Apology. AN ARTILLERY DUEL IN PROGRESS An Open Space of 14Oo Yards Lies Be- 1 tween the Armies Which the British Forces Fear l to Cross
AN ARTILLERY DUEL IN PROGRESS

London January H 4 a. m.-Genera Bull lers great turning movement, of which so much had been expected, has come to a standstill His carefully worded message to the war office telling this, after silence of two days, reads like apology, and an explanation.
 General Warren holds the ridgesl but the enemy's position is higher. The British artillery is playing on the Boer positions, and the Boers are replying. The British in- fantry is separated by only HOO yards from the enemy, but an approach to the steep slopes across the bare open, would expose the British to a fatal rifle fire.
 General Buffers plans have reached their development He declines to send his in- fantry across this zone against formidable positions by daylight, and discloses his pur- pose to assault the Spion kop heights dur ing the night. This appears to be the key to the Boer defenses If he takes 1t and thus commands the adjacent country, an important and possibly a decisive step will be accomplished.
 IL seems that General Buffers dispatch reached the war office rather early in the night, and was the subject of a prolonged conference between Lord Lansdowne, MT. Balfour and several staff officials. de- termination appears to have been reached not to give out the news during the night, but toward a. m copies of the dis.patch were made for distribution among the newspapers These arrived too late for extended comment.
 The Morning Pose and the Standard touch lightly upon the unpleasant features of the dispatch, and take hope from the pro- jected night attack, but all things consid- cred, the disptch looks like preparation for worse news.
 Parliament will meet in five days. The cabinet had been hoping for one rallying British success to cheer She country and to command generous support for fresh revenue measures. Among these will be probably an increase of the income tax to shilling dn the pound, bu this would only provide the cort of five weeks hosslities The duties tobacco, a1cclol, tea and coffee are likely to be raised The cabinet
 will meet at '!ne end of the week and dis cuss the situation.
 Something Must Be Done
 Political considerations both foreign and domestic. press upon the military autbori- ties the necessity of speedily accomplish ing some iilng. These conditions may have persuaded General Butler to attempt his great oueration without adequate means.
 Apparently Lord Roberts has nothing whatever to do with General Buffers op- eraton. General Butler and the war office communicate with each other direct. Bullor's scheme was conceived before Lord Roberts arrived at Capetown and its exc cution was begun on the day he landed. General Warren is moving with com mendable, indeed imperative caution. but it i must not be forgotten that delay, however caused, must tell in many respects In favor of the enemy.
 The Boers have. it ds true, fallen back when hard pressed, but they have gained time to bring up men, guns ammunition and supplies to the position they have se- lected for their uoint of stand and to en- trench it in thorough fashion, the fashion they understand so well Until that posi- ton has been taken, its defenders routed and badly cut up, the relief of Ladysmith can not be considered secure.
 From Vienna comes the statement that the idea of the intervention of European powers is gaining adherents in influential quarters. The Daily Mails correspondent regards this as unmistakable. and mentions especially suggest tions printed in the Aus tro,Hungarian foreign office journals.
 Dispatches from Boer sources describe the renewal of the bombardment of Lady-N smith more heavy than any previous firing and as intended to discourage a sortle, symptoms of operations of this na- ture having been observed from the Boer positions.
 Special dispatches Photographed from Ladysmith on Monday say that the invest- nent has not been relaxed, and that the garrison has ceased to speculate regarding the precise date of deiverance. The posi- ton of tine British forces outside of Natal Is unchanged. The forward movement else where appears to be waiting for reinforce ments