New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-28
A BUNGLING CENSORSHIP.

Practical Englshmen are beginning tn ash
whether the people, who are paying the expenses
oI the war and sending men to fight their bat
ues, have not right TO demand daily bulletin
from an Official source with summary of trust
worthy news. The censorship has disarned the
press which is only able TO print rnutilated and
belated dispatches. It has been extended from
The dispatches 10 mail letters and private corre-
epondence. The martinets have even gone so
far as to open letters written by special corre-
spondents 10 their wives. With all these ex-
uaoroinary precautions to secure the British
army against the premature disclosure of tnfor-
nation to an enemy well served by spies in
every camp, the British public has no safe
guard against official sensationalism like last
weeks announcement of night attack before it
was made. nor is it allowed a daily bulletin
5udiciously compiled at headquarters
The most interesting press runors yesterday
came from Boer sources One was report that
Mafeking had been relieved on Tuesday Colonel
runner, who was at Buluwayo at the opening of
the war with force Of about a thousand hardy
nohuersmen, was reported at Gaberones on Jan
uary H. During six days he might have reached
Mafeking, about hundred miles further south
Colonel Plumer is one Of the most capable and
cautious commanders in Rhodesia and Bechu-
analand and it is well within the range of pos
sibities that he has Joined forces with Baden
Powell. but not unless the siege of Mafeking had
already been virtually raised. Colonel Plumer
can hardly have more than six hundred irregu-
lars available for this reinforcement, but that
viii be welcome addition if he carries supplies
With him on his armored trains
GLMPsEs AT THE FRONT.
There are also dispatches indicating the
severity with which the Beers are bombarding
Kimberley and their steadiness displayed in
meeting Warrens attack at Spion Kop with a
mysterious account Of brisk skirrnish with
Aethuen's infantry. Rumors are also repeated
Of attempted sortie by Iancers from I.adv-
smith on Wednesday private letter received
in the camp at Chieveley from one Of the Of
hceTs at Ladysmith. after the battle Of CoIenso
contained this sally: "If you fellows don't como
up soon we shall have TO nSht our wav down
and relieve you" There may yet be truth In
that jest
There were press dispatches last night from
hensourg with a detailed account of hard
days work on Thursday by Freneh,s force ,,,,tt
a feint attack in one direction ana an e,te,dad
reconnaissance in another. General Poharts
confirmed this. and added the fact that +ba
enemy was strongly posted at Pietfonte,n A
small casualty list, twelve names represented
this affair. General French's manouvres will
not be ineligible until General Roberts frs,
oboect-point is disclosed. Rosmead Junction is
now clearly the base of q movement for clearing
the railway beyond steynsburg 10 stormberg
With Stormberg and colesberg in British hands
TWO sides Of a quadrilateral Of great strategic
Importance would be secured The remaining
TWO sides would meet at Springfontein well on
the way TO Bbemfontein. General Roberts has
iooOO fresh troops Of the Sixth Division for this
work II ne has IT in mind. and 10000 more of
the Seventh Division coming in TO support them.
ALREADY PART OF THE EMPIRE.
One Of the most striking dispatches from
ape fown contains a summary OF proclama-
uOh oy Sir ALFRED Miner. that the Queens Gov
eminent VIII no. recognize as valid any for
sohE, GO Ell HUNTING FISHING AT TAMPA BAY