Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1900-02-01

London, Jan. 30.-Gen. Butler says
that Warren's troops have r%etreated
south OF the Tugela river. The Beers
say that the British lost 1900 killed
Wednesday. 1t is believed here that
this includes the wounded. The Beers
also claim that 80 Of the English
troops surrendered at SpiOn Kop.
Gen. Buffers dispatch to the war de-
partment states that Spion KOp was
abandoned on account Of lack of
water, inability TO bring artillery there
and the heavy Boer fire. Gen. Butler
gives no list of casualties. His whole
force withdrew south Of the Tugela
with the evident intention Of reaching
Ladysmith by another route. OF the
withdrawal OF Warren's force, Gen.
Butler says:
"warren's force was concentrated
south of the Tugela without the loss
OF a a or a pound OF stores. The fact
that the force could withdraw from
actual tOuch-in some cases the lines
were less than a thousand yards apart
with the enemy in the il did,
is, ! think, sufficient evidence Of the
morale OF the troops, and that we were
permitted TO withdraw our cumberous
OK and mule transport across the river.
eighty-fve yards broad, with twenty
foot banks and a very swift current
unmolested, is, I think proof that the
enemy has been taught TO respect u
soldiers fighting powers"
II Boer reports are to be accepted,
1.-THE abandonment OF Spion Kop was
due 70 the inability of the British to
resist the Boer attack, the Beers car
ryinG the first trenches and taking 80
prisoners"
Deep Gloom in England.
London. Jan. 80. - The week has
opened with the utmost gloom for the
British public, and the reaction is all
the stronger because OF the high hopes
that were reposed In Gen. Buller's
turning movement and his reported an
nouncement that there would be mo
turning back" At the very moment
when DR., Leyds Is being received as ar
honored guest in the highest circles ON
the continent. Great Britain has to
suffer tie worst disaster in a campaign
thus far disastrous. Talk Is heard
about the absolute necessity OF aban-
doning Ladysmith to it's fate, while
Lord Roberts reverts TO the original
plan OF an advance over the Orange
river upon Bloemfontein. To Lady
smith the disappointment must be very
bitter. A dispatch from the Boer
lager near the town, dated Jan. "a,
describes the garrison as very evil
IDENTITY preparing n desperate coup in
order to effect a junction with Gen.
Buffers advancing army" 1t may be
regarded as a certainty that in the
confident hope Of early relief Sir
George White has lately been issuing
extra rations, and this fact has given
rise to an aggravated idea as to the
length OF time the provisions would
last. Even should it be decided TO
SEND Gen. Butler reinforcements and to
attempt TO reach Ladysmith by n
movement through the still more DIFF
ficult country east OF Colenso IL is ex-
tremely doubtful whether the garrison
could hold out long enough, as such a
movement would occupy at least a
month.
Government Frankly Criticised.
London, Jan. 3O.-Al the editorials
TINS morning breathe a spirit of calm
determination. Not n VIII allow that
any reverse could deter the country
from the object IL has set itself to at.
tain. whatever the sacrifices which
may be involved. Very frank criticism
OF the government, however. Is begin
ming to be heard even in quarters that
have hitherto refrained. The Daily
boldly throws all the blame upon
Sir Michael Hicks-Beach. Lord Lans-
downe and lord Wolseley.
British Checked mt Every Point
London. Jan. 30. - The Times saws.
The most carefully planned and exc
cuted movement OF the whole cam
palgn has entirely failed. and ii can
hardly be necessary to dwell upon the
extreme probability that we shall learn
a little sooner or a little later of a
catastrophe almost without precedent
In our military history. n catastropbe
indeed without a parallel except in the
surrender Of Yorktown. We are
checked at every point OF the cam
paign."
LeySs Predicts a Long War.
Berlin, Jan. 30.-The Deutsche Tapes
Zeitung publishes an interview with
DR.. Leyds which represents him as
having said: he war will certainly
last a very loug time. The Transyaal
VIII decidedly not be the first to seek
Tor peace, and will refuse all proposi.
ions on the basis Of the status quo"
Roberts Preparing Plans.
London, Jan. 30. - The situation n,
other points is unchanged. but ipdica.
tions that Lord Roberts Is preparing
plans for an advance across the or.
ange river come in a dispatch TO the
DAILY Chronicle from Sterkstroom
dated Jan. 20, which says that The.
Sels, an important position near
S~telnsburg, on the storms osmea5
line, is now occupied by the British
VINO are repairing the railway and
BRIDGES The correspondent saws this
viii facilitate a junction between Cen
Gatacre and Gen. Hily-Kenny.
Many strikers I'm Germapx
Washington, Jan. 80. During ,ho