The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-02-14
UNBROKEN SILENCE
FROM NATAL'S HILLS.
Conflicting Emotions of a Ma
ton Kept IN the Dark.

Roberts has caused to be distributed
in the towns bordering upon the
invaded colonial territory an invita-
ton to Free S.aters and Trausvaalers
to go into the desert Karoo y, Of
fering them good treatment and a
restoration to their farms on the
British occupation ofrepublican terri
tory.
The manifesto guarantees that
those bringing horses can sell them
Foreigners will have their passage
paid to Europe Colonial rebels are
advised to surrender in preference to
being taken prisoners
Not q word has been received from
the correspondents with Gen Butler
for three daye 1t is as though Natal
had been wiped off the map. except
the heliogram from Ladysmith saying
that the Beers are cannouadlng and
shat "6ghtipg is going on "
Gen MacDonaid. With 1000 in.
fantry, cavalry aud artillery, threat
ems the Boer right at Magersfonteio.
This is the first sign of activity on
the part of Lord Methuen for some
weeks, and doubtless has relation to
the movements of the British further
east
This hoping, fearing, doubling
nation remains at the mercy of
every wild rumor The impression
that Gen Buffers forces are fighting
will not die out, in spite of the con
tinuous asseverations of the war Office
that it has no news to confirm that
belief.
From Cape Town under today's
da1e, comes the statement that up to
this morning nothing has been heard
there regarding Gen Bullers recross.
ing the Tugela river. while Field
Marshal Lord Roberts, in dispatch
dated Monday, Feb S. reports no
change in the situation In view OF
the latter's dispatches. it seems hard
to credit the circumstantiai reports
of the engagement of Gen Buffers
troops The common sense now
almost inclines toward the decision
that these are due to the wish being
the father of the thought Supposl
tion upon such basis is utterly
futile The complete silence from
the front aud at home may be as the
wiseacres aver, but it more probably
represents that period of preparation
which precedes an important move,
ment
In other parts than the Tugela the
condition of information are scarcely
more satisfactory There is an in
conclusive vagueness regarding Gen
Frepch's reported intention to march
on Norvals pons with an overwhelm
ing force of infantry While the
news of sharp fighting in the eigh
borhood of Colesourg can be fairly
expected within a few days, it is
more likely that it will assume
reconnoissances aud skirmishes for
the purpose of holding the advanced
position of the forthcoming main ad
vance by way of Bloemfon,eln.
Gen French is strategicia'Iy prohibit
ed from running any serious risk.
Lord Roberts reply to Presidents
Kruoer and Styn creates an excel
lent impression here
From Kimberley AID Mafeklng
there is nothing new, 80 it can De
presumed that the intermittent BON
bardment of these places continues
Capt Walker Congrove, who re
ceived the Victoria cross for gal'an'ry
III endeavoripg to save the British
guns at Colenso, writes:
81 never saw Boer ali day, and |
Go not think anyone else did Thou
sands of bullets and shells burst all
over the place, bat the Beers were
invisible :"
The Transvaa! special war tax OF z
shii!ings and pence per acre affects
100000 acres Of English owned
.and, part of which is not worth
more than the TAX
GEN MCDONALD ON MOVE
J,ondoo Feb 1-TGe Standard has