The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-05

LONDON, Feb s, 40 a m.-Although
there Is no actual confirmation OF the re-
port that Gen. Butler has recrossed the
Tugela on third desperate attempt to re-
iieve Iadysmith. 1t Is known that the war
ONCE has received several South African
dispatches, which have not yet been pub
iished. and II the advance Is an actual
fact. the secret Is being well kept
May Refer 60 Dundenald.
There are newspaper dispatches In pien-
ty from Spearsmans camp up TO Sunday,
but there is no hint that an advance has
been begun, and 1t is assumed In some
quarters here that Lord Dundonaid's re-
connoissance in the district of Hongcrs
poort may be the only foundation for the
statement that Gen. Butler has started.
Dispatches From Ladysmith-
On the other hand dispatches from
Ladysmith rather Indicate that the adj
vance Is In operation. by reporting heavy
firing on Friday and Saturday from the
direction OF Potgieters drift and coienso.
A dispatch to the Daily Chronicle from
Ladysmith. dated yesterday, says:
"A report has reached us that one
brigade has crossed the Tugela-"
Boers Are Concentra ting.
The reports that the Beers are concen-
trating around Ladysmith are also an In
dication that preparations are being made
to resist Gen. Butler. or for an attempt
at re-attaek upon the garrison. IN an
ticipation of his advance. Tho fact. how
ever, that no firing has been reported
under yesterdays date. either from Lady
smith or Spearmans camp. might be in
terpreted to mean either that the attempt
had failed or that Gen. Butler had merely
made a demonstration on Friday or Sat
urday.
Speculation IL Uae1esa.
Various rumors are current One says
that Gen. Butler Is again attacking Spion
kop from the side OF Gen Lyttieton's
camp. Another Is that he received in
formation from the owner of Spion kop
farm and crossed by fords further west
than Trichards drift The military au-
thorities In London think It more likely
that the crossing would be made east of
Zwarts kop. Speculation. however. ia
useless The public can only wait in pa
,ience, and II may be said also. in srepi-
dation. Nor Is the feeling OF anxiety
much relieved by the possibility that Gen.
Butler has become considerably reinforced
since the disaster a, spion Kop.
BuIler and white Conmanicste.
The Daily Telegraph has the following
dispatch from spearman camp. dated
Sunday evening:
Messages are now freely exchanged be-
tween tho camps of Gen. Butler and Gen.
White-by night with calcium light. by
dag with heliogrsph. The men hsre are
enthusiastic at the prospect of speedy
advance under Gen. Buffers instructions.
- sm-ffL f. ~
bcsiesed garrison, win accompany the
relieving force. The Beers have repaired
the road bridge over the TuEeIa at Coien-
50 suffirlently for the Passage OF cavalry"
R~iyinx upon Roberts.
Spencer Wilkinson. In the Morning Post
today. predicts that the war viii end
rightly. In spite of ali buugiing. He says:
when Lord Roberts is ready for IN.
advance, new complexion will be put
on the campaign There VIII be a
StrategfcAi idea. and as this fdcs sradu-
ally reveals itHelf. what seemed al mex
tricahIe tanEle of difficulties viii in time
present itself as comparatively Simple
problem
Bnii-r Asain Across Tuxeia.
DURHAM. Feb. t-Gea. Butler crossed
the Tugeia river Friday Night and IL
marching on I.aayEmith- No deanite news
viii he permitted 20 SO e@t until Lazy
smith Is relieved
Lady.mith Feels Cheer~d.
LADYSNITH. Feb. 1--fny hsIsogyaph
from signal hlli THE garrison was much
cheered BY hearing Gen. Raller's guns
yesterday. The result II the engage
ment h net knnwn. The Beers arn again
rnaSsinE near radyxmsth. also moving
another gun toward Surprise hill We are
quite ready fos them if they contemplate
another attack.
Buiier's Probable eroxsinE.
LONDON. Feb. s.--A special dispatch
from Durham. datsd Sunday. and referring
20 Gen. Buffers rser0sstEg the TuSeia IN
advance upon Ladysmlth. says
TT is probable that Cen Butler crossed
At n spot above TFscharcs Er4ss, and that.
leaving the enemy 20 the right he Ia
marching 20 Acton Hsnes. whence the
read 20 Iadysrntth runs almost due sast
through a fairly open country.
1T s. expected here that be viii r~nch
IAaysrsith tomorrow Monday night
Boer Plan of Retreat.
LONDON. Feb s.--Ths FisterrnAritE-
burg correspondent Of the Daily Mall
telegraphins yesterday says
Gen Bul~r has undoubtedly necurea
the rosd 10 I.aGysnstth ard should reach