, 1900-02-12

of Inhlawe, since it COM
both the road and railway
bridges al Colenso. At the same time,
comes from Natal Of a further adj
vance of the Zululand force of Beers.
apparently developing a flank move
ment in the direction Of Greytown.
This would threaten the British line
of communication far to the south
ward. 1t is quite likely that General
Butler will have to leave General White
to hold out as best he can, while he
protects his WI position.
A report also comes from Durham
that General Joubert, with 5000 Beers,
has already started to swing around
the British flank. II this story be
true, and there is no information to
the contrary, the coming week promises
to be one Of great anxiety for Eng
land. Thus far the Beers have been
able to hold the British at every point.
How they will fare upon taking the Of
fensive remains to be seen.
The Beers at Colenso are unusually
active. So far from being hemmed in,
they are themselves threatening the
British line Of communications.
AS dispatches from that section to
Cape Town are signed Clements" it
is probable that General French has
gone to Lord Roberts to take command
OF the cavalry division. General Rob-
erts' arrival at Modder river is regard
ed as an indication that the command
er-in-chief is surveying the situation,
with the possible intention of making
his advance into the Orange Free State
from that point.
The presence Of the Beers upon KIM
berley is reported by Colonel Keke-
witch, the British commander, to be in
creasing. 1t is said that the guns
which were formerly at Mafeking. have
been moved down to Kimberley; and
that a six-inch gun has opened fire up
the town. The Boer forces show an
increase and they are moving their in
trenchments forward.
From the Cape press is learned a fact
which has been carefully cut out Of all
kilograms by the censor. The resi-
dents Of the besieged town took to
eating horse flesh in January. Plain
ly it is nearly at the end of its food
supply, and consequently, its resist
ance. This may explain the concen-
tration of So large a British force at
Modder river.
A significant sentence in the News
dispatch from Cape Town strengthens
the belief that General Roberts is about
to advance. The message states he,
every available truck Of the western
railway system has been secured by
the military authorities.
Clubland was much exercised Satur-
day night by the persistent umo that
Ladysmith had fallen, with the result
that large numbers of members were
at their clubs early yesterday. There
was no confirmation OF the rumor, or,
indeed, news OF any kind, which con-
dition Of affairs was interpreted by
the optimistic as good news.
The hopeful feeling which c%uriously
enough filled the stock exchange at its
close Saturday, was reflected in nearly
all remarks heard yesterday, and a dull
London Sunday is one day on which
an Englishman sums up his ideas, and
gives expression to his thoughts. Ex-
press.ons of opinion show that I'M
bounded faith is felt in the moves Of
General Roberts and General Kitch-
ener. which all appear to assume. have
begun.
What is more, General Butler is not
blamed. but praised. This statement
is heard over and over again that Gen.
eral Butler must keep banging away
at the Beers, keep them working at
their mountain guns and their trench
digging, and infiict as much loss upon
them as possible, meanwhile saving
his men for the final struggle.
This is not the kind Of talk which
was heard three months ago, but 1t is
what is heard here today. It's the So
her opinion Of the nation, formed af-
ter repeated reverses.
The Beers have developed great &C.
tlvity around Coles kop. They drove
in the pickets at Slagter's mex and Hob
kinks farm with loss to themselves.
An attack on the British camp is not
ANTICIPATED. Tho Beers have been oh
served TO be mAssing at Colesburs.
London, Feb. 1.-THE war once has
Just issued the following dispatch. dat
cd today, from the general commanding
at Cape Town:
sC,snents repssks nom Ksnsburl
Nat on Friday. -. .. the Desss trisl
= tsrn hi rlsAt -, ~ vsss s'as''