The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-01-30

morcd Relief of Mafeking Considered
Correct.
London, January %, 4:30 a. m.-The
only news issued by the war office dur
ing the night is a dispatch from Lord
Roberts dated yesterday Saturday
stating that the situation is unchang-
ed and that General French reports a
reconnaissance of the enemy's posi-
ton on Thursday when he found the
Beers strongly posted at Pietfontein.
The maps do not show any such place
in the region of General French's op-
erations and it is probable that Reit-
fontein, ten miles north of Colesburg.
is the place alluded to.
A special dispatch from Colenso, dat
ed Wednesday, January oath, says that
COmmandant Lucas Meyers comman-
do surprised and surrounded strong
body of General Methuen's infantry,
killing and wounding twenty three and
capturing fifteen.
London, January 27.-The defense
committee of the cabinet met at the
war office this afternoon, Lord Sails
bury presiding. There are reiterated
rumors that the graveSt kind of news
from Natal is being concealed by the
war office. 1t is even said that Gen
eral Buffers forces are in full retreat.
Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, the chan
cellor of the eGchequcr, came to Lon
don purposely to attend, and Joseph
Chamberlain, the secretary of state for
the colonies, gave up other engage
mentS for the same reason.
1t is impossible to confirm or to deny
the reports of disaster to Buffers
forces, as the officials maintain silence
They say they have nothing for publi-
cation. 1t is evident, however, from
the Offices announcements that the
casualties reported by General Butler
occurred in General Lyttleton's bri-
gade, which apparently was not engag-
ed at Spion kop, that there has been
severe fighting not yet reported.
Lord Wolseley, the commander-in-
chief of the forces, was also present at
the meeting of the committee
There is no mention here of the re-
ports circulated in the United States
that General Clery has been defeated
by the Beers. The last heard OF Gen
eral Clery was that he was participate
ing in General Warren's movements.
AGAIN CAUGHT IN A TRAP.
Berlin, January 27.-Solne OF the pa
pers here claim to have a telegram
from Pretoria saying that General
Warren was enticed into Spion kop,
where the Beers fell upon him; that
seventeen of his cannon were captur-
ed and that Buffers hasty retreat over
the Tugela river alone can save him.
The alleged Pretoria telegram adds
that the British losses were 500 men
killed and 1,500 wounded. The dispatch
came through Brussels and does not
receive much credit in this city.
OFFICE.
London, January 21.-The war office
has no news of the catastropheS to
General Buffers forces reported from
Berlin, and discounts the story. Neith-
er has the war office any explanation.
at least for publication, of the abandon
ment of Spion kop and there are no ad-
vices in this connection from independ-
ent sources. The disposition today is
to regard the evacuation as not so Sc
rious as at first thought, and COM
mentators are abusing the military au-
thorities both at the front and at
home, for publishing hasty accounts of
an incomplete, half understood opera
ton, thus alternately thrilling and de-
pressing the nation.
UNPLEASANT READING FOR
BRITISH.
The afternoon papers describe the
generals dispatches unpleasant
reading for the British people, intense
ly mortifying to the national pride and
damaging to the country's prestige.
and scathingly denounce the gaZetting,
at the present time, of reports which,
The St. James Gazette says, display
academic frivolity not uncommonly
found in combination with considerable
practical incapacity. lapsing into sneer--
ing when they ought to rebuke, and
filled with the slang and humor of
kipling'S subalterns.'
The st. James Gazette sums up it's
opinions as follows: These dispatches
show the folly which has prevailed
throughout the period the campaign
has covered and which has exacted its
usual tithe of lives and men,"
The war office announces that the
casualties reported by General Butler
yesterday occurred in the battaiions of
General Lyttleton's brigade, which, SO
far as known at the war office. was
not engaged in the capture or defense
of Spion kop. 1t appears, therefore,
that they are additional to the consid-
erable casualties which General Butler
has reported as having occurred at
Spion kop.
IMPORTANT MOVEMENTS IN CAPE
COLONY.
There are signs of important move
ments developing in the north OF Cape
Colony. General French has succeed
ed in getting in touch with General
Gatacre, possibly presaging combi-
nation of the two columns and the COM
mencement of a centration of the forces
which is believed to be the ground
work of Lord Roberts plan Of cam
paign.
Lourenzo Marques, Delagoa Bay, Fri
day, January 26.-It is reported on good
Transvaal authority that Mafeking was
relieved Tuesday January 23rd.
BULLER IN a CRITICAL POSITION.
London, January 2S.-Mr. Spencer
Wilkinson, whose articles on the war
situation have attracted much atten-
ton here and abroad, wrote the fol-
lowing review of the situation for the
Associated Press at midnight and af-
ter the war office had given out tel
egram from Lord Roberts, dated at