The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1900-02-14
.LADYSM|TH MAY FALL.
Unless Relieved Gen. White will
De Forced to Surrender.
LONDONERS STOICAL
Becoming Accustomed to Defeats
Lord Roberts Advance ON
RIoem fontein.

uedNy lOSS W lucIll, luc DUCTS udu lOuI
men killed and eight wounded. On re-
taking the kopje twenty-five Beers were
found killed.
The alarm was given at midnight that
the Ladysmith troops were trying to force
a passage in the direction of the Free
State lager. Heavy firing was heard
but no particulars have been received.
London, Feb. 10.-2 D. m.--Gen. Butler
is once more south Of the Tugela river
river, and, apparently, the Beers have lost
none of the ascendancy they have held SO
long. Yet today's news by no means
causes the acute disappointment attend
ant upon the other failures to relieve
Ladysmith. This can be attributed to
three causes-frst, there is a strong be-
lief that Gen. Buffers last attempt was
only demonstration on a large scale;
second, the wiser critics had warned the
public not to expect the immediate relief
of Gen. White; third, the nation has set
tied down to the realization that the war
will last long time, and they are not
swayed as at first by minor reverses and
victories. The second and third reasons
arc self-explaining. The first requires
considerable elucidation. In favor of the
opinion held by Spencer Wilkinson, the
Gen. Butler did not intend Immediately
pushing on to Ladysmith, there is over
whelming evidence to show that Field
Marshal Lord Roberts ordered systematic
activity upon the part of all the forces.
On this basis, Gen. Buffers move may
only be a repetition of Gen. Macdonald S
and Gen. Frcnch's reconnoissances.
Acting Under Orders.
Mr.. Balfour's ambiguous statement
about awaiting the completion Of plans
IS another strong reason for believing
Gen. Butler never intended to make the
main advance via VaalkrantZ, but was
acting under the orders of Lord Roberts.
1t is also curious that the news of Gen
Buffers retirement first came from the
Boer head laager near IadySmith and
that the British correspondents were free
ly allowed to send dispatches before any
thing from Gen. Butler was published.
The unusual appeal of Bennett Burleigh
war correspondent of the London Daily
Telegraph asking the public to suspend
Judgment and rely on Gen. Butler, also
has considerable significance. On the
other hand. Gen. Buffers recent speech
20 his troops in which he said he hoped
TO be in Ladysmith within a week. tends
some people claim, to throw doubt on the
belief that he has only been dem
onstrating in force
Retired in Good Order.
The latest news from Modder river
shows that Gen. MacDonald's retirement
from koodoosberg was effected in COM
pete order. The most reasonable eXpla-
nation of his movement is that it was
undertaken more to restore confidence of
the Highland brigade, still nervous from
their terrible experience at MagerSfon-
ten, than to gain any important OBJ
jectiye, With this important unit Gen
Methucn's force is rehabilitated for a
vigorous attack on Gen. Cronje and an
attempt to relieve Kimberley may be
looked for, more than likely superintend-
ed by Lord Roberts, while the seventh
division and part of Gen. French's cav
airy are occupied in turning movement
east of Jacobsdal.
Situation at CoIesberg.
A dispatch from Rensberg, dated Fri
day, February 9, reports much aggres-
sive activity against all of the British
accommodating and declares the Beers are
III no sense surrounded at Colesberg, but
are simply held in check by series OF
camps forming a semi-crcle from east to
west. The Beers, it is added, are still in
full possession Of their lines of communi-
cation with the. Free State and hold
strong. positions around Colesberg.
During the morning of February 9 a
bombardment with Lyddite occurred at
v
guns are believed to have been silenced.
A dozen dead Beers were found Gu
kopjes
Lord Roberts has addressed another
letter to Presidents Kruger and Steyn,
complaining of the wanton destruction of
property i'll Natal.
Had to Evacuate.
A dispatch to the London Times from
Springfield bridge, dated Friday, Febru-
airy y, says: Our force at Vaalkrantz
entrenched itself as we'll as possible. but
nevertheless we continued to lose men
and no advance was made. The Beer ar
tlilery fired necessarily and as Wednes-
day proceeded it was increasingly appar-
ent that, although the infantry might. by
a very determined assault, force it's way
through the center of the Boer posi-
ton, it would become impossible during
subsequent operations to maintain the Sc,
curIty OF the lines of communication and
the evacuation was decided upon. The
retirement commenced at 8 O'Clock at
night, the pontoon bridge being removed
after Gen. Hildyards force had crossed
this morning. The whole force retired
beyond the range of the Boer guns, which
continued shelling."
Session of the Cabinet.
An extra cabinet council was held this
afternoon in response to summonses is
sued yesterday evening. The council
lasted over two hours Several members
of the defense committees were present
and Lord Salisbury presided The pre-
mier held a supplementary consultation
after the departure of the majority of his
colleagues.
Lar2e Increase in Navy.
The first lord of the admiralty, George
j. Goschen, is preparing estimates for a
large increase in the navy. 1t is thought
probable that Parliament will be asked
Tor EGO 100000 for new ships.
Durham, Feb. 10.-The beers have tax
en- 1nkandala, a Zululand magistracy.
The magistrate, the night previous, ex-
ploded the magazine and with his staff
and the police evacuated the place ard
proceeded to Eshowe
Impcs sib.e to Advance.
Headquarters, Springfield Bridge, Feb.
9.-The position taken north of Tugela
river proved difficult one to maintain.
The regiments sent across as reinforce
ments went into the front line of
trenches, but owing to the great strength
of the Beers in the Brakfontein hills to
the left it was found impossible to ad-
vance without risking unnecessary loss.
The Beers continued Smelling the British
position. Several Long Tom shells
fell among the transport trains and four