, 1900-01-19

London, Jan. 1S.-This morning there
is a persistent rumor afloat that Lady,
smith has been relieved.
The same report had reached the
war office by midnight, coupled with
the statement of a decisive British vic
tory.
The officials there, while protesting
to have received no further dispatches
than those given out, intimated that
perhaps the second rumor that a bat.
tie had beer fought might be true, but
placed no confidence in the first.
The latest news received is contain
ed in General Buffers dispatch, which
states hat General Warren's entire
force had crossed at Trichardt's drift
and expected to advance five miles from
the river by Thursday evening, the Bo-
ers being intrenched right in front.
This clearly indicates the possibility
of an encounter at any minute, but the
relief of the besieged city is not yet at
hand.
As to the future moves all is guess
work. The Beers occupy the kopjes in
front of General Butler in force and
have strong positions at Arnot Hill
farm, some six miles from the drift
These positions are open to turning By
the west, which would cut it OF from
the Free State passes; by the east also
if the garrison at Ladysmith could
make a strong movement against the
enemy's other positions at Onderbrook
and G~robleaar's Kloof.
General Butler has two drifts in his
hands and tnis gives him great ma
neuvering power. Holding Colenso in
front by a brigade, having his right
protected, his railway line to Frere
guarded by divisional troops, he has
enought men in the trenches. At the
drifts he would have for maneuvering
purposes, besides cavalry, artillery and
mounted infantry, about 20 b~attalions
of infantry. There would be two bri-
gades of eight battalions, with batter
les and naval guns, to make good his
advance fight against the Beers, Ii
|needful. On their southern front there
would be some u battalions, two cav
airy regiments, irregular horse and five
field batteries under General Warren
to work away to the west, may be to
Dewdrop, Acton Homes, or farther to
the west by Gutenberg farm.
1t is not thought that General Butler
will attempt to force the passes. They
are fortified, and the Beers have five,
if not six, lines of communication by
the three principal Free State passes,
by railway through Charlestown, and
by Landmarks drift from Vryheid.
General Warren will probably work so
that he will not give the Beers any
idea whether he is making for the Free
State passes or Ladysmith. II he mi.
neuvered westward he would certainly
draw of some of the Beers from their
new position, which might help Gener-
al Hildyard, or another near him, take
the north Colenso position and the
Grobleaar's Kloof position in the rear.
and then press on to join in the fray
both by Peters Station, as General
White will be on the lookout to Join
in the fray both by Pieters and by Dew
drop. The morning Posts critic says
there can be no question Of surprising
the Beers, who have had a week to in
trench their main position and two or
three days notice of a possible attack
on their right flank.
The plan is that General Lyttleton's
brigade engage the enemy in front
while General Warren's. division tries
to attack the right flank. II General
Butler should succeed In beating the
Beers and in joining hands with Gen.
eral White the Boer army must retreat
across the Kip river between Lady
smith and Colenso, and will be in a
perilous position, for Sir Redvers will