Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-02-06
MANY CONFLICTING RUAORS |
REPORT OF AN ADVANCE BE-
YOND THE TUGELA RIVER.
BRITISH PEOPLE IN SUSPENSE.
Dispatches From South Africa Tell
of Buffers Advance, But the war
once Announces That No Such
Movement Was in Immediate Con.
temptation.


learns from official sources that abso-
lutely no confirmation has been re-
ceiyed by the war Office OF the report
that Gen. Butler has recrossed the
Tugela river and is marching on Lady
smith. On the contrary, according to
the information of the war. office, at
the present moment there is every In
dication that things are quiet at the
front and that no immediate move
ment is anticipated.
Regarding the dispatches from
Ladysmith saying that Buffers guns
have been heard there, it is surmlsed
that some practice may have been go
ing on with the new batteries which
have Just reached the front.
The war Office statement that 1t has
received no confirmation of the report
that Gen. Butler has recrossed the
Tugela river has failed shake public
belief that operations of tremendous
Importance are proceeding at the Tu-
gela. and it is thought that either the
denial was prompted by a desire to
keep the military movements as secret
as possible until something is accom-
plished. or that Gen. Butler is keeping
the home Office in the dark pending
results. It is obviously extremely diff
ficult to extract the truth from the
conflicting statements shrouding Gen.
Buffers movement, but most OF the
commentators agree that the aggre-
gate of the items tends to confirm the
belief that movements of Importance
are in progress. 1t is true that the
correspondents at Gen. Buffers head
quarters convey the impression that
his main force is still south of the
Tugela, but it is easily conceivable
that the dispatches are so censored as
to convey false impression. Possibly,
though dated Saturday and Sunday, tho
dispatches were in reality written
prior to the movements reported to
have commenced Friday. This has al
ready happened on various occasions,
dispatches being retained by the cen
sor and related when actually re-
leased.
Whatever may be the actual situa-
ton, there seems no doubt that Gen.
Buffers preparations for fresh at
tempt to relieve Ladysmith were com
pleted Thursday or Friday, and though
the start was possibly deferred from
the date first selected, it will not be
long before it is definitely known that
Gen. Buffers forces are again fight
ing their way towards Ladysmith.
Those, however, who expect Gen. Bull
Ter to reach the beleaguered town to-
night seem to have forgotten the
presence of the Beers. The best in
formed people, while sanguine, fully
realize that a British victory can only
be achieved at heavy cost.
The news received yesterday from
South Africa said that Gen. Butler is
advancing to the relief OF I4adysmith
that the garrison in the beleaguered
town can hear his guns, and that they
are in good spirits, ready to repel an
assault or cooperate with the rescu-
ing forces.
While anxiety is again becoming in
tense, the feeling is now more hope
full than on the eve of Gen. Buffers
previous engagements. The British
force on the Tugela has been rein
forced with men and guns, but Gen.
Joubert and his 10000 men can call
in no new regiments, for the Beers
have need for all their men to defend
the borders of the Free State. 1t was
just one week ago to-day that Gen.
Butler announced that he would be in
Ladysmith in week. He has not
kept his word.
No news at all has been received
from the armies operating in Cape
Colony, and there is much speculation
in London as TO the plans of Lord
Roberts and the mysterious move
ments of Lord Kitchener. The gem
eral idea is that they are preparing
some Napoleonic cam paign that will
bring the war to speedy finish.
Dispatches from Spearman's Camp.
dated Friday, Saturday and Sunday,
are published here this morning. On
Friday photographic communication
with Ladysmith was resumed. mes
sages passing freely. The Beers were
busy Smelling the town, and parties
of Beers were burying their dead at
Spion Kop, though nine days had
elapsed since the battle On Saturday
the bombardment of Iadysmith was
lighter.
From Chieveley Gen. Barton can
nonaded the Colenso lines, employing
the naval gun. The Beers, as usual,
appeared at Colenso. but retreated
when the British artillery opened.
The day was quiet at Potgieters.
There was no cannonading by the
British guns. The Beers enjoyed this