Eureka weekly sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1887-1902, 1900-02-17
ENGLAND'S DARK DAYS.
Her Majesty's Troops Again
Repulsed in their Attempt
to Reach Ladysmith.
icsD sosEsTs NOW MAKES PROMISES
He Will March to the Relief
of Kimberley Which Is
Now in Sore Straits.

As predicted in the SENTINEL last
week the latest expedition CT General
Butler to relieve Ladysmi.h has ended
in disaster, and the British forces were
again compelled to retreat across the
Tugela. After fattering themselves
that they had won q substantial
victory over the Boer forces, and had
gained an important strategic point,
they were completely routed and COM
PEELED to return to their old position
beyond the river. IL was q repetition
of the Spion Kop affair, and gives
General Butler an opportunity to again
inform the world just when Lady
smith will be relieved.
Full particulars of the retreat Of the
British have not been reported by
General Butler, or il they have the
War Office has failed to make them
public. The retreat is, however, sd-
mitted, and also the loss of a large
number of men. A dispatch from
Ladysmith says the Beers, in driving
the British backward with heavy loss
to them, had only four men killed and
eight wounded.
1t is now the evident intention OF
the Beers to meet Buffers advance,
as they have a large force encamped
near Ngutu with eighty wagons and
nine big guns. II is now the plan
to besiege Eschowe and fortify the
Iusuzi hills in order to prevent the
British from marching across Zulu
land TO the relief OF Ladysmith. This
will have the effect OF cutting off Bull
ler's supplies, in any event, but with
their country overrun with soldiers,
and their cattle being commandered,
it is feared the Zulus will not long
remain quiet.
Late dispatches bring the announce
ment that the Beers have fanked the
British at Rensberg and are msssine
their forces at that point. Advices
received in London on Wednesday say
the British are chatting under the
necessity Of a retreat from their posts,
which they have held for two months
past.
An official dispatch from General
Butler TO the British War Office an
nounces a slight clash on Tuesday at
Springfield, during which Captain
Hamilton Russell, Lieutenant q.
Churchill and ten men were wounded,
and Lieutenant Pilkington and six men
were taken prisoners by the Beers.
Attention is now shifting to the
movements of Lord Roberts, who, it
is reported, is preparing to enter the
Orange Free State with $4,000 men,
in an attempt to compel General
Cronje to raise the siege Of Kimberley,
which is known to be in sore straits,
and, unless relieved within afew days,
must of necessity surrender. No hope
is entertained that Roberts will be able
to accomplish his purpose, and realiz-
ing that Kimberley must fall. the
friends of Cecil Rhodes are fearing for
his safety. A delegation was sent to
wait upon DIR. Leyds, the diplomatic
representative Of the Beers in Europe,
to ascertain, if possible, the intention
Of the Beers in the event OF his cap
ture. The doctor assured them that
there was no intention of killing
Rhodes, but that il captured he would
surely be held as a hostage until the
indemnity for the Jameson Raid had
been paid, and that for this the Beers
had decided to demand 10000. 900.
DR.. Leyds has issued a statement in
which he says he is satisfied the war
will continue as long as the two Re-
publics have arms and ammunition.
II the Msuser cartridges give out, the
Beers. he asserts, will fall back upon
Martini-H Henry rifles, for which they
have a supply of ammunition that is
practically inexhaustible.
1t is stated that Portugal has entered
into an offensive and defensive alliance
with Great Britain. II this proves to
be true other alliances antagonistic to
this may be looked for.