Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-01-27
GRAVE RUNORS AF[0AI
British Government Said to Be Con-
cealing Worst Kind of News
From Natal.
Even Stated That Buller's Forces
Are in Full Retreat-War
Office Silent.
Lyttleton's Brigade Believed to Have
Suffered Heavy Losses in I'm
reported Fight.

Suffered Heavy Losses in I'm
reported Fight.
Berlin, Jan. 27.-somc papers here
claim to have a telegram from Pre-
toria saying Warren was enticed in
to Spionkop, whore the Beers fell
upon him; that seventeen of his can-
non We're captured; that BulieEs
army will probably retreat over Tu
gela river. which alone can save
him.
The alleged Pretoria telegram also
adds that the British losses were
300 killed and 1,5oO wounded. The
dispatch comes thru Brussels and
does not receive much credit here.
London, Jan. 27.-The war office
above.
Berlin, Jan. e7-Tt is said the Ger
man foreign Office has confirmation
of the report that Warren's division
has been crushed
Lourenzo Marques. Deiagoa Bay,
Jan. 26.-It is reported on good
Transvaal authority that Mafeking
was relieved last Tuesday.
London, Jan. 27.-The defense COM
office this afternoon, Salisbur. presid-
ing. There are reiterated rumors that
the gravest kind of news from Natal is
being concealed by the war Office. III
is even said that Buffers forces are in
full retreat. 1t is impossible to confirm
or refute these runors, as the officials
maintain silence regarding them. They
say they have nothing for publication.
1t is evident, however, from the war
officers announcements that the casu-
aities reported by Butler occurred in
Ly,tleton's brigade. which was, appar-
emily, not engaged at Spionkop, that
there has been severe lighting not yet
reported.
Lord Wolseley, communicative chief.
attended the melting OF the defense
committee. Sir Michael Hicks Beach,
chancellor of the excheGuer. came 70
London expressly to attend the meet
ing and Secretary of Colonies Cham
berlain gave up other engagements FOR
the same reason.
Rnnr. II n a. g nj on on.
Boer Camp. Modder spruit, Upper
Tugela River, Jam 2sThe British are
now endeavorng to force with 10000
troops the spionkop route to Lady
smith The firing on Gen Bothais po-
sition yesterday was terrific. This
grass was fired. rocks dislodgea anc
practically one-sided, the federals fir
ing only thirty shots. \ ball from q
shell landed in Botha's pocket. The
only Boer casualties We're some horse:
wounded The firing ceased at dark
but was resumed this morning in tn
vicinity of Ladysmith and here, bu
lacked yigor.
No Word From Clcry.
London, Jan. a7.-There is no mention
here of the reports circulated III th'
United States that Gen. l'lery Was de
feated by the Beers. The ;ast heard o
Clery was that he WAS participating il
Warren's movements.
FRENCH AND GATAcKE JOIN
Believed That Roberts Contemplate
Concentration.
London, Jan. 27.-There are signs o
,rfp pv,t ,yF.art, mtg
North Cape Colony. French having sue
ceeded in getting in touch with Cat
acre possibly presaging a combaatio
of columns and the commencement Q
a concentration of forces. which IS be
lieved TO be the ground work of Rob
erts' plan of campaign.
Absolutely no light is thrown upo
the reason for its evacuation When tn
news first spread in the city the invol
untary exclamation, What. Majub
again?" was heard frequently. In fac
the parallel between Spionkop and Ma
iuba is rather startling. Both are EN-
nences commanding Boer positions
both were seized in the night and
both cases the Beers attacked the pos
ton next morning. Here, for lack
definite news. the parallel ceases.
uhere are tWo equdily pttusipie ,it'
ories to be given for the retiremen
One, is suggested by the fact that II
mountain is SO weakly held by II
Beers that the position had not the in
portance which Warren attributed
st. 1t is quite possible that there a
other superior heights near it and b
hind it which are not visible from Il
British line. and that from these EN-
nences the Beers. with guns in positio
could dominate Spionkop and render
untenable, instead of the British.
the capture of Spionkop, rendering Il
Boer position untenable. 1t is notorio
that ali the maps of Natal In the po
session of the British are exceeding
faulty. In an interview in Paris befo
Buffers last dispatch was received /
Leyds, the Boer representative. sa
that Spionkop consisted of a series
ridges or hills rising one behind I
other. II this prove to be the reas
for Gen. Warren's retreat it shows tn
Lcyds knows more about British ter
tory than the British themselves.
The other. and from the Britt
standpoint far more serious suppo
tion. is that the position was of SO gre