Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-01-08
General White May Have
to Surrender Soon.
JOUBERT'S LATE ATTACK
On Ladysmith Probably Due to Know
ledge That Butler Was Not Ready
to Engage Him-Seventy British
Soldiers Were Captured.
lTr

AANO ooAs 0s
ish public is at last face to face with
a critical moment in the campaign. 1t
may safely be said that at no previous
time have their been such anxious hours
of surprise as will be passed through
until the arrival of further news regard
ing the fate of Ladysmith. The week
opens with only fresh additions to the
disasters that have befallen British
arms, and there is no longer any sustain
ing confidence to buoy up public opinion.
The editorials this morning fully reflect
the extreme gravity of the situation,
with a painful undercurrent of ominous
foreboding, mainly caused by the fact
that, while the Beers have not changed
their tactics and assumed the offensive.
General Butler is apparently unable to
do more to assist General White than in
making a demonstration.
The Morning Post says:
H might as Well have ordered a dis
play of fireworks
As the Photograph ceased working yes
terday Sunday, it is proved that Gen
eral Whites last message was sent by a
pigeon or runner. It's purport is serious
enough.
The Times publishes a dispatch from
L~adysnith, dated January 1, recording
two night movements on the part Of the
Beers to assault the town. These had
to be when the British de-
lenses We're reached, but the correspond
ents say it was apparent that the great
attack would not be long delayed. He
adds:
Loyalty supported by the civilians,
the garrison could hold out for a consid-
cradle period. We are not reduced to
half rations. The greatest difficulty is
hospital accommodations for the wound
ed and sick" -t y
Little doubt remain as to the mean
ing of the Boer attack. A dispatch from
the Boer camp at C%Olenso, dated Thurs
day last, and sent by way of Lorenzo
Marques. mentions that a thunder storm
had turned the dry avine into torrents
and flooded the Tugela. Doubtless Gen
eral Joubert felt sure he had secured q
couple of days in which he could attack
Ladysmith without fear of interference
from General Butler, who, ever If he
decided to attempt to relieve the town
would probably occupy three days ir
reaching it by even a victorious advance
Apparently on Saturday General Bulle,
was no ready to attack. Possibly Gen.
eral Joubert anticipated that Genera.
Butler would shortly deliver an attack
and in that case General Butler may
have actually opened battle yesterday.
Great Britain has to face the terrible
possibility that the next news will be the
fall of L~adysmith. The disquieting fea,
ture is that the Beers seem to have sufi
cient forces to deter General Butler from
attacking while themselves are makins
strenuous efforts to reduce the town, II
the presence of this Ominous situation
even General French's disaster, of which
apparently the worst has not vet beer
heard. assumes quite minor importanc.
in the eyes of the public.
The var office has already decided mo,
immediate steps for sending an eight
infantry division to South Africa. Som.
of the regiments of this division will b,
taken from Gibraltar n Malta. The,
will be replaced by militia.
1t is asserted that the customs author
tiles on the river Thames have detained
two outgoing steamers and seized tw,
large guns n six Maxims packed i,
piano cases, intended for the Transyaal
1t is also said that a quantity of foo
stuffs on another vessel have beer
seized.
London, Jan. 7.-General Butler ha
!, wired the war Office, dated anuar 6
!, from Frere camp, the %followings
THE following message received frop
General White at l p. m. today:
, january 6.-12:45 p. m.-Have heater
| enemy OH at present, but they are still
around me in great numbers, especially
to the south, and I think renewed attacl
very probable. The sun has failed an,
!, L cannot get further information fror
Ladysmith until tomorrow"
!, London, Jan. 7.-General Butler send
the following from Frere Camp, date
today:
> "This from White, dated Saturday, ~
? pm: W
"'Renewed attack; very hard pressed