The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-19
Situation Much the Same an Confront
ed Methuen, and Butler Likely to
Have DimcuIt Work.
LATTER HAS AN ARMY OF $4,000
BUT WILL BE FORCED To FIGHT AN
INTRENCHED ENEMY.
Omcfal and Other Dispatches from
the Front-NearIy 5000 British
Casualties Reported to Date.

LONDON, Jan. 10, 4 a. m.-Military
critics in affiliation with the war Office
consider that the expected battle along the
wide are south and west Of Ladysmith
can hardly be delayed beyond to-day. From
Durham it is reported that lighting has al
ready begun.
General Buffers forces engaged in the
Ranking operation across the Tugela are
some 1900 or 1900 bayonets. 100 horses
and forty guns. The disposition of his
other 1900 or 10000 men is not known. al
though the assumption is tnat the whole
army will be In action when the hour for
combined movement arrives. Three weeks
ago General Butler had $4,000 men. Con-
sfuerssre ereinforcements have since reached
him, giving him probably 5000 men and
eighty guns all told.
Estimates OF how many men and guns
the Beers have to oppose him are mere
guess work. In not replying to General
Lyttletons shells they are using the tao
tics that proved so successful in the battles
OF Magersfontein and Colenso-lying low
In their trenches and thus hoping to con-
ceal their precise position until the in
fantry advance.
The Daily Chronicles military expert
sees curious analogy between General
Buffers situation now and the eve of
Magersfontein. Now. as then. the Beers
vesting lines within few miles. AS Lord
Methuen. after crossing Modder river, had
to attack the spytfontein and Magersfon-
tein hills. so General Butler, after passing
the Tugela. faces invisible entrenchments
In a rough country.
One correspondent mentions General Bull
yers wheeled transport of 5000 vehicles,
which connect him with the railroad thirty
miles to the rear. Among these vehicles
are thirty traction engines. which draw
from ten to fifteen wagons each.
General Buffers warning at the misuse
OF the white flag by the Beers in his procla-
nation to the troops is considered a rather
broad hint to give no quarter. His phrase
there win be no turning back is played
on editorially by the morning papers as
presaging cheerful announcement.
The absorbing interest felt In the situa-
ton In Natal makes other points In the
theater OF war seem myscropic. Lord
Methuen lies behind his works at Modder
river. 1t Is estimated that his forces will
have to be nearly or quite doubled before
he can relieve Kimberley. British rein
forcements are moving toward Gen. French
at Rensburg. With these he is expected to
ac rance General Gatacre's men occupy
Lopesburg. a slight advance.
that II had no further news for publication.
When questioned with regard to the
rumored British victory and the relief of
Ladysmith. the officials replied they had
received no confirmation to bear out either
feature OF the rumor and were inclined to
kiiiiAh tAA1l oCitOao h6hlAh6 inuSl PItCtQc
the relief OF the town. The rumors came
from Cape Town and were circulated In the
Stock Exchange.
The War Office announces that next week
will be embarked seventy-two guns, 3710
men and 2.210 horses. This Is the largest
consignment of artillery ever sent abroad
The War Office invites 500 volunteers for
q sharpshooters' battalion OF yeomanry
Sir w. MacCormac. in the Lancet, says
that OF 800 wounded in the hospitals Wis
tied by him only eight had been hit by
shells.
Mr.. Kipling has written the following
characteristic letter TO the British Guiana
branch OF the Navy League. In recognition
Of a contribution TO the war fund: Bravo.
British Guiana. Seeing what they have had
TO contend with lately in the sugar line, they
have done uncommonly well. Please con-
yey to them my best thanks-frst. as vice
president OF the league. second. as perpe-
traitor OF the absenf-minded beggar.' and
third. as a feiiow-contributor to the big
jeexDot which We are boiling UP on