Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-02-12
Much Anxiety as to Affairs
in South Africa.
THE BOER MOVEMENTS
Fear That Gen. Buffers Commune
cations May be Cut Ofi-Kimberley
Garrison Has Been Compelled 10
Eat Horse Flesh.

rondon Feb. -. 4:40 a. m.-The latest
DISPATCHES from the front showing the
real reasons for General Buffers re-
tirement and his intention to try again.,
quite destroy the comforting ana 1nseh-
ious theory that the movement was an
elaborate feint to facilitate the main ad-
vance of Lord Roberts. a theory when
obtained acceptance largely because of
Mr.. Ralfour's misleading statement to
parliament. These seemingly useless re-
licenses and presentations on the part OF
the government and the war office are be-
ginning to be criticized severely.
No word has yet issued from the war
office regarding General Buffers latest at
tempt. although the correspondents are
allowed to telegraph with a fair amount
of freedom and thus far only a partial
list of casualties has been published. The
dating Of messages from Frere camp in
dictate that General Butler has Withdrawn
all forces there.
The London newspapers. having become
accustomed to checks. maintain a hope
full tone. but the situation is much more
threatening than it seemed to be a week
ago. Proofs of the terrible strength and
mobility Of the Boer artillery. together
with the rumor that General Joubert is
taking the initiative with the object Of
cutting General Buffers communications
are in no way reassurlng. Even the most
~sangu.ne persons begin to see that it IS
quite hopeless to expect the relief of Lady
smith, while it is clear that. if it be impos-
~ eo, D,,1loc ~ raoaf, r aHVSmifh IT &c
equally impossible for the garrison. ex-
1nausted by ickness and privations. to cut
q way out.
Reports Of the Boer advance through
Zululand are disquieting. If they should
BE- able to strike at Greytown, General
Butler would be compelled to turn his at
tention to the eastern side of Natal.
The fact that Lord Roberts arrived at
Modder river Friday seems to show that
he has been on a round of inspection of
the chief commands and that the main
advance is not so near as has been sup
posed.
Startling intelligence comes from Kim
berley in the Cape newspapers just re-
ceived by mail in London. 1t appears that
since January s, the rations at Kimberley
have been for the most part horse flesh,
so repusnant to women and children that
many refus to eat it. 1t also appears
thai the death rate has been heavy and
that the privations of the garrison have
been increasing steadily.
The news IS startling because the censor
has not allowed it to be cabled. Posi-
bly, such conditions explain the presence
of Lord Roberts at Modder river and the
apparent preparations for an advance
from that point. The mention in the
dispatches OF Lord Roberts to the war Of
flee Yesterday nf General Claimants aS
commanding at Reneberg is interpreted
to show that General French with his
cavalry. has gone to join Lord Roberts
and that considerable changes in the dis
trlbution Of troops in that district have
occurred. The unexpected strength and
activity of the Beers at Rensberg, where
they are rather pressing the British thar
being pressed by them, causes anxiety.
There rs no confirmation of the report
OF a sortie from Ladysmith. The latest
dispatch from there, dated Wednesday
last. reports that all was quiet then and
that instructions had been issued to be-
ware OF the possible approach of Beers
In the gu.se Of a British relief force.
To-day sees the beginning of the fifth
month of the war. Charles Williams. the
military expert. says: after all. this in
terval in our big army. instead of being
Tree to maneuver in the field, is tied by
the left leg to Kimberley in order ia
>NNAi AIIoStCo LII ny lHe IJEnCi leg
to Ladysmith in order to please Joseph
Chamberlain Yet. neither town has the
very smallest military value.'
Although the British will soon ha We
100000 men in South Africa, the Daily
Mai and other papers are still asking for
more troops.
The stoppage of shipments Of gold and
m"nd resulted in exports from Cape
Colony last month valued at E251, 1S2. as
against f2,s12.f14 in January of last year.
London. Feb, 12.-Winston Churchill
sends from Frere camp to the Morninc
Post a long review of the situation. He
says General Butler always thought
1t impossible to he'd the ~riangl of M
tai north Of the Tugela, but the initio,
'H'stake Was made owing to the mis,oaI-
Culatlens Of the Boer strength and thu
TACT That millions of pounds worth OF
stores had been collected at L%adysmith,
from the first he regarded the relief OF
Lauysmith as a forlorn hope. He did
not feel justified in ordering a subordi-
nate 10 perform such a doubtful task.
The absence OF good maps has cost
Wuch piood. An attempt to thrust the
enemy back from Branfontein or Doom
kloof would have cost 5000 men, and
since at leas, two brigades must knen
the door open behind us too few would
nave remained to force the way to Lady
smith. Moreover, General Butler re-
members his army is the only army for
the defense of the rest Of Natal. There
inre he decided TO withdraw and try
elsewhere.
Another fierce attenppt will be made tc
force the Tugela. Great Britain mus,
realize the ugly fact that the relief OF
Ladysmith would strain an army of go.
900, and that loo, 600 mem would not be to-
many. The country therefore must b;
prepared for a heavy loss and perhaps
Tor dtsappointmentA Remembering tina
considerations of Snor more than Dol,
ICY demand ceaseless effort to reiiev,