New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-16
RULERS FORWARD MOVEMENT.
zv7rrr THAT A GENERAL ADVANCE HAS
BEGUN

- L ~
RELIEF THAT A GENERAL ADVANCE HAS
BEGUN
1o,aon Jan 15-Up TO noon to-day the re-
,,or.aa crossing OF the Tugela River by General
xxsrren's division remained rumor. Neverthe-
les the whole tenor Of such news as driboled in
So, south Africa in the last forty-eight hours
,5icated that a combined forward movement
.. a comprehensive character was proceeding
7. is not necessary 10 believe the unconhrmed
s+o~,es Of the Beers being in full retreat from
-olenso. because it has been learned that col
unn is proceeding by way Of Weenen TO Help
-,skasr. 10 cut of their retreat. At the same
tiroe credible information from many different
so7yrces indisputably points 10 momentous
changes in the disposition Of the republican
forces Advices from Pietermaritzburg dated
Saturday. January 13. say that since their de-
rea. on January the Beers have been removing
their guns from the positions south Of Lady
smith. The same dispatch confirms the report
that the 18th Hussars reached Groblers Kloof
without meeting the Beers AS the trenches at
Crobler's Kloof were perhaps the strongest posi-
ton held by the burghers, their vacation has
considerably astonished the British
Merchants Of Pietermaritzburg have received
messages from Ladysmith. saying, Bring up
Jam" etc indicating that their Ladysmith
agents anticipated an immediate opening Of
communications, while Ladysnnith also hello
graphed that the belief was prevalent there on
January Is that the Beers we're moving and
concentrating their forces elsewhere
A GENERAL ADVANCE YESTERDAY.
As corroborative Of the British activity in the
direction OF the relief Of Ladysmith, a dispatch
has been received in London from General Bull
Ter 10 the effect that he expected that all the
dispositions for synchronous movement Of the
various columns against the besiegers would be
completed this morning. Under these circum-
stances It is considered probable that the ad-
vance on the beeaguered town had begun and
that fighting is going on. Optimists go so far
as 70 say Il is expected Ladysnith will be re-
heved tonight If ell goes well. The military
men are divided in opinion as 70 whether Gen
eraI Butler is at Springfield or personally direct
ing the flank movement from Weenen The off,
Gals are inclined TO credit the report that the
British have crossed the TugeIa River in that
direction. although there is no confirmation Of
the report and, altogether. there is a more hope
ful feeling in official circles
There is little news Of Importance from else
where General French's forces have succeeded
IN dragging & 15-poUnder 10 the summit Of
the steep. rocky Coles Kop, a thousand feet
above the surrounding plain, and on January u
they routed a Boer camp on the plain three
miles away from Sterkstroom
Al item OF news Is that three hundred Beers
escorting party Of reapers, have garnered all
the crops within two miles Of the colonial camp
at Birds River, the British force being TOO weak
10 interfere.
dispatch from Pretoria says the federal
forces began again the bombardrnent OF Mafex-
Ing on the morning OF Friday. January u.
THE SOUTH AFRICAN CORPS.
a partial development of the Movement re-
IN
though by means the main objective limited
at can be recorded to-day in the formation Of
strong committee Of South Africans and ex-
officials, with Lord Loeb, the former Governor
OF Cape Colony and British High Commissioner
as president. The object is the remedytng Of
the defects Of the War Office When the War
once sanctioned the formation of q CORPS Of
South Africans acquainted with the topography
Of the country and the Dutch and Kaf7r Ian
guages, the committee insisted that they must
choose their own officers The War Office de-
INJURED, but the committee pointed out that the
South Africans were cognizant Of the defects in
the campaign and were not going out to be led
10 slaughter Ike sheep. and the officials yielded
Consequently. prominent South Africans crack
shots, acquainted with every stream and kopte
are hocking to join the contingent. AS a proni-
nent enlisted said
We are not going to fight for promotion or
&c F4CNO4 ID NIOsS we simply want TO meet the
Beers on their own ground and according TO
our own methods. Our object is TO defeat the
enemy and not run splendid but useless risks.
II is announced that the British steamer Nil
waukee Will proceed to Halifax to replace the
Montezuma, which is carrying a contingent Of
Canadian troops TO South Africa
The Duke Of Marlborough, who volunteered
for service in South Africa, Will sail for Cape
Town on Saturday next
MaJor-General Sir Frederick Darlington, the
wei known South African officer. until now
commander of the Belfast District has been or
oered 10 South Africa