The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-01-08

London, Jan. 8, 1850 a. m.-Great
Britain has to face the terrible posa-
bility that the next news viii be the
fall of Ladysmith The disquieting
! feature is that the Beers Eeem to have
sufficient forces to deter General Bull
Ter from attacking while themselves
making strenuous efforts 10 reduce the
town. In the presence of this oninous
situation, even General French's dis
aster, Of which apparently the worst
has not yet been heard, assumes quite
minor Importance in the eyes of the
public.
The British public is at last face to
face with a. critical moment in the cam
paign. 1t may safely be said that at
no previous time have there been such
anxious hours Of suspense as viii be
passed through until the arrival of fur
thor news regarding the fate Of Lady
smith.
The week opens with only fresh ad-
ditiOns to the disasters that have be-
fallen British arms, and there is no
longer any sustaining confidence to
buoy up public opinion. The editorials
this morning reflect the extreme gray
ity of the situation. with painful I'M
dercurrent of ominOus forebOding,
the Beers have now changed their tao
tics and assumed the offensive, General
Butler is apparently unable 70 do more
to assist General White than in making
a demonstration. The Morning Post
says:
He might as well have ordered a
display of fireworks"
AS the Telegraph ceased working
yesterday Sunday, it is presumed
sent by a pigeon. or runner. It's purpoTt
is serious enough.
Two Movements.
The Times publishes a dispatch from
Ladysmith, dated Jan /, recording two
night movements on the part Of the
Boens to assault the town. These had
to be abandoned when the British de-
fences were reached, but the CORE
spondent says it was apparent that the
great attack would not be long de-
layed. He adds:
Loyalty supported by the civilians,
the garrison can hold out for a cOnsid- /
cradle period. We are not reduced 20 {
half rations The greatest difficulty is
hospital accommodation for the wound /
ed and sick"
Little doubt remains as to the mean /
ing of the BOer attack. A dispatch I
from the b0tT camp dL IO1bISDs 0djbQ i
last and sent by way Of Lou /
reno Marquee, mentions that a thun- +,
derstOrm had turned the dry ravines /
into torrents and flooded the TUgeia- I
Doubtless General JOubert felt sure he /
had secured a couple Of days in which /
he could attack Ladysmith without /
fear Of interference from General Bull !
Ter, who, even if ne decided to attempt |
TO relieve the town, would probably 4
occupy three days in reaching it by 4
even a victorious advance.
Apparently on Saturday General Bull
Ter was not ready to attack. Possibly
General JOubert anticipated that Gen
eral Butler would shortly deliver an
attack, and in that case. General Bull
Ter may have actually opened battle
yesterday.
The war Office has already decided
upon immediate steps for sending an
eighth infantry division to Ssuth At
RIGA. Some of the regiments for this
division viii be taken from GibFaltar
and Malta. They will be replaced by
militia.
It is asserted that the customs au-
thorities on the River Thames have de-
tanned two outgoing steamers and
seized two large guns and six MaXims
packed in piano cases. intended for the
Transvaal. 1t is also said that a guam
-ity Of fOodstuffs on another vessel
has been seized.