The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1900-02-12
NO HOPEFOR LADYSMI[H
Britons Cannot Force Their WAY
Through the Boer Besiegers.
J0UBERT's FLANK MOVEMENT.
Report That the BOer Commander
Is After the BritOns-Boers Out
fanked British at Reusberr-Oue
Correspondence Iled, One Ca injured

Ii After the BritOns-Doers Out
fanked British at Rensberg-One
| Correspondent Killed, One Ca injured
London, Feb 12--The latest dis
patches from the front, showing the
real reason for General Buffers re-
| tlrement and his intention to try
again, quite destroy the comforting
and ingenious theory that the move
ment was an elaborate feint to facili-
tate the main advance of Lord Rob-
erts, theory which obtained accept
ance largely because of Mr.. Balfour's
misleading statement to parliament.
These seemingly useless reticences and
presentations on the part of the gov
eminent and the war Office are begin-
ming to be criticized severely. "a
No word has yet been issued from
the war Office regarding General Bull
ler's latest attempt, although the cor
respondents are allowed to telegraph
with a fair amount of freedom, and
thus far only partial list of casual
ties has been published The dating
OF messages from Frere Camp may in
dictate that General Butler has with
drawn all his forces there
Even the most sanguine persons be-
gin to see that it is quite hopeless to
expect the relief of Ladysmith, while
1t is clear that, If 1t be impossible for
Butler to reach Ladysmith it Is equally
impossible for the garrison, exhausted
by sickness and privations, to cut
way out. Reports of the Boer advance
tbrNnUh Tn1IlonJ
they should be able to strike at Grey
town General Butler would be COM
PEELED to turn his attention to the
eastern side of Natal.
1t Is rumored at Durham that Gen.
eral Joubert is marching with a col
umn OF 5000 men to outfiank General
Butler This report, together with
proofs Of the terrible strength of the
Boer artillery, causes the gravest
anxiety here.
A Rensburg dispatch of Saturday
says: The Beers outtlanked the Brit
ish here yesterday. A considerable
force of the enemy was threatening
the British communications between
Rensburg and Slingersfontein, IL miles
away, and during reconnaissance by
some Inniskillings and 20 Australians
from Slingersfontein the Beers were
discovered attempting to get gun in
position to shell the British camp.
The Australians having come into
very close contact with the enemy,
took cover under hill about 1000
yards sSom the camp Thereupon the
Beers took up position with view
of preventing their retirement. Some
burghers got within 200 yards Of the
Australians and called upon them to
They replied by fixing
bayonets and shouting defiance.
Sergeant Edwards and two men
made a dash, and galloping under a
hot fire passed number of hills held
by the Beers, took word that the Au-
,tralians were safe and confident OF
holding the enemy at bay and of get
ing out after dark, which eventually
hey did.
The Inniskillings prevented the
'nemy getting their guns in position.
The Australians lost one man killed
md three wounded.
The conveys have been successfully
often to Slingersfontein today, the
British escorts having had several
rushes with parties of from 20 to 30
'oers infesting the region. Lieuten-
mt Colonel Page, with a section of az
lllery and 150 horses, got one large
onvoy through by Smelling the enemy
ut of the road.
The Beers also outfanked us on the
'est placed gun in position at Bas-
ards Neck and fired on one of our
utposts driving off 1000 sheep.
In Wednesdays brush two corre-
pondents, Mr.. Hales, of the London
ally News, and Mr.. Lambie of the
[elbourne Age, fell behind Mr.. Hales, !
no was slightly wounded, was cap {
lred by the Beers. and Mr.. Lambie {
as killed. The British took two 1
'iSOners G