The daily news. [volume] (Pensacola, Fla.) 1889-190?, 1900-02-06
HARD FIGHTING SAID
TO Be IN PROGRESS
Important Operations Under
General Butler.
NEWS BEING HELD BACK

London War OiIlce Cia rms TO Have
No CuuG nation of the Aivhmc",
but Tier, Is Every R.ason TO Credit
Special K pUrIs.
LONDON, Feb 5-A special dispatch
from Durham, Natal, dated today, says:
There is no definite news from Gen.
eral Butler. but 1t Is reported that there
was heavy fighting yesterday"
Ii n stated that absolutely no con.
frmation has been received By the war
Office Of the report that General Butler
has recrossed the Tugela river and is
marching on LadysmIth. On the con.
trary, according to the information of
the war Office at the present moment,
there Is every indication that things are
quiet at the front aud that no lmmeui-
Ete movement Is anticipated.
Regarding the dispatches trou Lady
smith. saying that Buffers guns have
been heard there, 1t Is surmIsed that
some practice may have been going on
with the new batteries, which have just
reached the front
1t was Just one week today that &c n
erdl Butler announced that he would be
IN LGdvsmlJh III a week. He has not
Kept mis- word.
The war OtTlce statement that II has
received no confirmation of the report
that General Butler has recrOssed the
Tugeia river has failed TO shake public
belief that operations of tremendOusl i'm.
porJance are proceeding at the Tugela
and il Is thought that either the denial
was prom pied by desire 10 keep the
military movements as secret as posi-
BILE until something is accom- elished. or
that General Butler is keeping tie home
officials In the dark pending results.
1t is obviously extremely difficult to
extract the truth from the conf citing
statements shrouiing General Butler
movement, but the commentators agree
that the aggregate of tho items tend 70
confirm the belief that movements Of
importance are IN progress.
1t Is true that the CORES pOndents at
General Buffers headquarters convey
the impression that his man force is
still south of the Tugela, but IL Is easily
conceivable that the dis uatches are all
censored.
Nonew at all mas been received from
the armies CO. cooperating III Cape Colony
aud there Is much speculation in Lon
GOu as to the plans OF Lord Roberts and
the mysterious movements OF Lord
Kitchener Inc general idea is that
tnrv are Preparing some NapOieonlC
campaign tnat will bring the war TO a
speedy finish
Dispatches from Spearman's Camp,
dateu Friday, Saturday and Sunday
are published IN London this morning.
On FRIDAY Photographic communion
ton with LsdysmIth was resumed, mes
sages passing freely; the Beers We're
busy sh .lI!.g the town. and burial Dar.
ties OF Beers were burylng their dead al
SpiOn KOp, though nine DAYS mad
caused since the battle
On SATURDAY the Commandment of
Ladysmith was lighter From Chleve-
ley General Barton cannonaded the Co.
lenso lines. employing the naval gun.
The Beers, as usual. appeared at Co
lenso, but retreated when the British
artillery opened.
The day was quiet at PotRieters.
There was nc cannonadIng 10y he Brit.
ish guns.
The BOers enjoyed this Immunity
from attack and could be seen IN large
numbers drying their blankets and
working to strengthen and aid 10 their
defensive works
The Beers around Potgleters seemed
intent on watching every movement of
our troops They could be seen riding
or walking alOn" their works IN care
less fashion, numbers OF them spying
through their glasses
The enemy have certainly made a
number of additional positions for can
non and for the defense OF rhe passage
OF the Tuge,a at PotgIeter's Drift