The sun., 1900-01-16


cials are inclined 10 credit the report that
the British have crossed the Tugela river
in that direction. although there IS no
confirmation OF the report, and, altogeth-
er, there is more hopeful feeling IN ON
cial circles.
AS corroborative Of the British actigi-
ty in the direction Of the relief Of Lady
smith, d disnatch has been received IN
london from General Butler to the et.
feet that he expected that all the prep-
arations for synchronous movement
Of the various columns against the be-
siegers would be completed this morning
URder these circumstances i i consider.
Cd quite probable that the advance, on
the beleagueied town has begun and that
fighting is progressing. Optinists say
that Il is expected that Ladysmith wal
be relieved at once II all goes well.
noers Removing Guns.
Advices from Pietermaritzburg, dated
Saturday, Jan 13, say that since then
defeat on Jan. the Bocrs have been re-
moving their guns from the positions
south OF Lndysmith. The same dispatch
confirms the repor, that the Thirteenth
hussars reached Groblerskloof without
/ meeting the Beers. AS the trenches al
M Groberskloof were perhaps the strongest
81 position held by the burshers, their evac
# uation has astonished the British.
Merchants Of Pieiermaritzburs hav'
received messages from LadyA,ith, say
ing. Bring UP jam" etc, indicating tha
their I.adysmith agents anticipated III
immediate opening or communications.
4 message by hcliograph from Lady
smith says that il was believed there o.
Jan. l3 that the Beers were moving an
concentrating their forces elsewhere.
General EAenchs force has succeede
IN dragging IL FOUNDER to the SUNNI
OF the steep, rocky Coles Eop LOCO fee
above the surrounding plain, aud. on jar
u, they successfully routed Boer camT
on the plain, three miles away froI
Sterkstroom.
An interesting item Of news is that 80
Beers. escorting party Of reapers, hay
successfully garnered all the crops withl
two miles OF the colonial camp at BIRD
river, the British force being too weak
interfere.
A dispatch from Pretoria says that "a
Boer forces recommended the bombar,
ment Of Mafeking during the morning
Friday, Jan. IL.
Free State Invaded.
An Orange river dispatch says: he'
oral Wood, for TN first time in the car
paign, has established a post in the en-
my's country. With a force Of nil arm
he took up position On Jan. ist Lon
pans Drift, on the north side q the y
anGe river, in the Free state.
A strong committee of South Afilcal
and ex-ofiicials has been formed. wi
Sord Loeb. the former governor Of Cal
Colony and British high commissions
as president The object is 70 remct
the defects of the war Office.
When the war office sanctioned the fc
nation Of a corps OF South Africans q
quainted with the topography OF I
country and the Dutch and haflir la
guages, the committee insisted that III
must choose their own officers.
The war Office demurred, but the CO..
mittee pointed out that the South Al
cans were not going out TO be led
slaughter like sheep, and the oihci;
yielded. Consequently prominent Sou
Africans, crack shots and acquaint
with every stream and kopJe, are ho'
ing to join the contingent As proT
nent enlisted man said:
I'VE are not going 10 fight for prom
tion or the Victoria cross. We SIM
want to meet the Beers On their o.
ground and according to our own me
DDS. Our object is to defeat the cnel
and not run splendid but useless risks
The Duke Of Marlborough, who vol
teered for service in South Africa, '
sail for Cape Town Saturday ntxt.