The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-10

are arriving from Massrsfontetn. Our mo-
siuon y easily tenable. but the entire force
haa been ordered to return to Modder river
tomorrow
Portuguese Seize Arms.
Tho correspondent of the Times at
Lourenxo NrQue1 under date Of February
Recent visitors to Inhambsne report
that the Portuguese customs authorities
there seized . quantity OF arms and am
munition consigned under a false descrip-
tion.'
Heavy increase NJ the Navy.
The nrst lord Of the admiralty, Mr..
George J. Goschen. II preparing estimates
Tor aarke Increase Of the navy. 1t is
thought possible that parliament will be
asked for f2oo0o,ooe for new ships.
Reaucfns the Array standard.
The war ONCE has reduced the minimum
standard Of height agaIn-this time to fve
feet three inches for infantry and 1--WE
feet two inches for artillery
Leyds Denies Interviews.
Dr. Leyds has issued in Brussels a state
ment for publication in English denying
the purported interviews in which he Is re-
ported as predicting the Intervention OF
the powers In the event the British invade
the Free State. He says he Is convinced
that the war viii continue as long an the
two republics have arms and ammunition
II the Mauser cartridges give out the
Beers. he asserts. win fall back upon
Martint- Henry rifles for which they have
supply Of ammunition that Is practically
insxhAustible.
WAy muller Withdrew.
4 special dispatch from spearmans
camp, dated Friday noon. says that ow-
Ing to the Boer cross FIRE and the impos-
sibility OF intrenching yaalkrantx Gen.
Buffers force withdrew. Tha Financial
News. which publishes this dispatch. sug-
sests that Gen. Butler has not yet actu-
ally crossed the Tugcla
Ne News 70 give Oct.
The war ONCE announces that II has no
further news TO give out tonight.
naIsouf's Guarded Adnsissisn.
MIR. Balfour. the government leader. re-
plying. to q question in the house OF COM
mons this evening a. to whether any In
formation had been received from the
scene OF war. said:
Our information points to the fact that
Gen. Buiicr ~ not pressing an advance
from the position he has occupied. We do
not consider It right to press him for de-
tails az the operations which arc in prog
fees. nor, n he gtvea such Information, do
~e deem Il proper 10 make this public
until such operations arc completed. The
government has no Information as to
whether Gen Macdonald has retired
pssr story Of the Retreat.
BoBR HEAD LAGER, LABYRINTH.
Feb a-The British who were In possess
sion Of The kopts at Moies drif. abandon
ID Il Afest = bombasdnisnt BY Boer can
non this morning. 80 retired acToss. the
Tukssa river TO their former position A
desuitory eannonadc ID proceeding at the
TuesIA this morning. but otherwise every
thing cles 10 quiet.
Methuen Orders Mis- Force hack. .
KOoDooSBBR0 DRIFT. Feb. s--Ths
Hoeu yesterday made determined at
tempt 70 drive the British from hill
ccmuandinx the drift. Mounting two
aeven-pounde.s at the northern extrem-
ity. they sheiled the position intermit-
tently the whole day. Tho seaforth High
iandsrs GAINED . position on the rocky
summit and kept up q sustained rife nre.
hut suffered somewhat from the Beers
shslling. battery was sent and sue
ceedea In stlencing the Beers IRE. Mean
while two companies of tina Argyll High
iandsrs. advancing along tho plain in
westerly direction. found the Beers In
trencAsd At . small drift. A sharp en-
gaSssnsnt followed. lasting the whole day.
In order TO completely surround the
Doors. Cen. Darlington was dispatched
from tho Mc<tasr river with largo force
Of cavalry and two batteries OF horse ar
tiiiery. but failed 70 reach here. although
he started early enough in the day 20 en-
able him to get here early This afternoon.
This morning Gen. Methuen ordered that
the combined force should retire upon the
Moddsr river. which movement ID prol
csedina. The British Losses in the night
ins on "Wednesday were ATTY men killed
or wounded.
Sasiassea Finally Jesn.s.
LONDON. Feb. s-rhe dispatch from
Koodoosberg drift does not say whether
Gen. Darlington finally Joined Gen, Mac
Domain. but the word Combined seems
10 Indicate that he did 80.
Plumer's Force Defeated.
PRETORIA. Feb. 6--coI. Piumer's
force February . attacked the Boer posi-
tion near Ramonsta. and after heavy
nahting. Including an endeavor TO take
tho place by storm, tho British were re-
pulsed. Their Toss Is unknown. No
.Rosrs were injured.
Ssr1Ous Mstiny os souAanese.
A special dispatch from Cairo says.
The mutiny Of the soudaness troops al
khartoum has assumed serious proper
tions and 10 causing great anxiety.
Military ExU~rtsa gu~as.s
In the Morning Post today MIR. Spencer
Wilkinson, reviewing the military situa-
ton. says.