The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-02-13

enough 10 take the offensive, The most
depressing news, however. comes from
Natal The Beers have occupied a
farm south of the Tugela near cheve-
ley. which Is studded with hills from
which the country can be commanded
for miles around. II II reported from
Durham that General Joubert is march.
Ing with a column Of 5000 men 10 out
flank General Butler. 4 Boer column
r. operating In Zululand and there
seems 70 be alarm IN Natal and fear
that General Buffers line Of communl-
cation viii be attacked. Although
Winston Churchill telegraphs that Cen
eral Butler IL about 10 make a fourth
attack on the Boer front. the London
papers call attention 10 the fact that
the general has removed his headquar-
ters from spearman's camp 10 SPRING
field and apparently do not believe
that General Butler VIII attack again.
A. for Ladysmith the military experts
have given up hope. II is agreed that
soriic from the beleagured town
would result in the British being cut
to pieces.
The Morning Leaders, expert says:
General Butler felt that II would be
useless 10 persevere in his attempt to
relieve Ladysmith. which would have
cost more loss than the number OF men
..,u.gplra a. Tad,,Cf,,tfh
1--WE hear now Of two attempts TO
turn General Butler himself one by
Boer column marching through Zulu
land and another with 5000 men in
Natal under the redoubtable Joubert
himself
1T is quite possible that General
Butler was held on the Upper Tugela
as much by the ruggedness Of nature as
hy the enemys artillery. He may be
80 weak on the Lower Tugela as to
leave his right flank and his commune
cations with the sea open 70 strong
attack.
But he must make the best Of his
forces All the reInforcements within
reach for a fortnight to come are
car-Earked for an attempt to force
passage Of the Orange river, which we
have got at point where II is Of little
use to rs save sor the RELIEF Of Kim
bcrley."
The expert notes with alarm the ap-
pearance OF entric fever in General
Gatarce's and other forces.
He says Lord Kitchener has not got
to the front yet. and that Lord Roberts
Is not likely to order a general ad-
vance until his chief OF stan arrives.
Winston Churchins dispatch from
Frere Camp. Sunday noon, sent with
General Buffers approval, in which he
warns the British people that there
may De heavy loss and possibly disap-
pointment from Buffers fourth attack.
says. describing the last tight:
"A Maxim Vlckers gun, abandoned
by tie Beers Ia u donga, was about to
fall into the hands of the British when
that notorious rdffan. the fearless VIII
joen himself. brought back team OF
horses and escarcd with the gun.
1T was a splendid feat Of arms.
During the right General Hildyard
fortified himself continually with much
skill. building traverses and head COW
ers. Consequently, though exposed to
a terrible shell fire during all OF the
night. he only lost Al men. In twelve
minutes. sS shells exploded on the hill
and 240 were counted in two hours, be-
sides smaller shells from Maxim-Vick- /
er guns. which were innumerable.
Prince Christian Victor, aide-de-
camp TO General Hildyard, was
knocked down by the conclusion of a !
lO0-pound shell bursting on rock by /
which he was sitting. The prince be-
haved throughout with the most ex-
treme composure.
The Boer prisoners admit heavy |
loss, but declare an unfaltering deter /
mination to resist to the uttermost."
The dfth month OF the war opens I
with the Roers apparently about to
take the offensive with their armies I
intact and well supplied /
with ammunition and, according to /
Winston Churchill, foreigners and war |
material pouring into the TranSvaal /
through Delagoa bay.