The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1900-01-25
ENGLANDS ANXIETY
No News From the Seat of War
Causes Great Fear.
special 70 she HHaALA

special TO the HmALA
London, Jan. 24.-Keen anxiety
prevails throughout England today
for news of Warren's night attack on
Spion Kop, which Butler, in dis
patch last night, said was meditated.
All night long the war office was
brilliantly lighted up. Many officials
were on hand awaiting news. Early
this morning brought groups of peo-
pie and as the day advanced they
came in crowds. Not line, how
ever, came from Butler. Noon went
by and still nothing.
Buffers dispatch, announcing that
Warren was to make night attack
with bayonet, the most hazardous
move in modern warfare, is taken
to indicate that the thanking move
ment, which Warren undertook, had
failed. Butler has apparently been
forced to return to the tactics which
thus far have proven unsuccessful,
namely front attack on the fortified
enemy. The only chance is that an
attack be made at night. Methuen
tried this at Magersronteen but the
Beers were awake and it resulted in
fearful losses in the Highland bri-
gade. Remembering this it can cas-
lily be seen that England awaits with
fear and anxiety the result of Bull
ler,s movement. In another defeat
it would not be surprising to see the
overthrow of the present ministery.
The first signs of discord among
the English people as to the carrying
on of the war was announced today.
John Bryn Roberts, leader of the
| Welsh liberals in the house of COM
mons has given notice that he will
speak in parliament in favor of ces-
sation of hostilities in South Africa.
Rumor of Victory.
London, Jan. 24.-The Evening
News says that satisfactory news
from Butler has been received at the
war office. The News admits it's only
authority for the report is a stock
exchange rumor. According to the
rumor Warren has captured Spion
Kop.
Bombardment Continues.
Kimberly, Jan. 24.-The Beers con
tinue to lombard the town vigorous
ly. They are also doing considerable
shipping of cattle and are taking
shots at British outposts.
It is not a Success
London, Jan. 24.-Contrary to the
| announcement made shortly before
midnight by the war office that moth
ing further would be issued until
Wednesday forenoon, the following
dispatch from Gen. Butler, dated at
Spearman's Camp, January %, $500 p.
m, has been posted:
=, Warren holds the position he gained
| two days ago. In front of him, at about
| 400 yards, is the enemy's position, west
y Of Spions kop. 1t is on higher ground than
bfNSarren's position, so 1t is impossible TO
see into it properly.
'h@It can be approached only over bare
open slopes, and the ridges held by War
kssn are so steep that guns cannot be placed
Ati Out we are SuGlllNB the enemy 3
| position with howitzers and field artillery,
placed ION lower ground behind infantry.
F9I'4nhe ehemy is replying with Creusot and
7 pth erartfllery. In this duel the advantage
| rests with US, as we appear TO be searching
! his trenches, and his artillery fire is not
| causing US much loss.
Jan. attempt will be made tonight to
Eise1Res ISteoh 3 z kop. the salient of which
| forms the left of the enemy's position. fac
ing 'Pfichafas' Drift and which divides it
Pfromph epnsttdon facing Potgieters Drift.
b II asbc2psiderable command over all the
T ehefny's Embellishments"
At Standstin.
IondSh, JAM 24.-Gen. Buffers great
turning movement, of which so much
had betaf Nptcttao has come to stand
p4tilsl idItis careftr4ts worded message TO
etRe warb4iee aching This, after silence
E8f ltw6 fdsyl, READS AXE an apology and
9a an RNe2&t p1anf qYfHd 2de2n Cen, Warren holds
/ the ridges, but lite enemy's position is
bfighie2ff!f srRggj Bh9tisI, artillery is play
Plnnhgg, Oh the Botr positions, and the Beers
tare 5rspiSing". The British infantry is
separated only BY 146t yards from the
enemy, but an 'approach TO the steep
slopes, across, the. bare open, would ex-
pose the British to fatal, fife fire.
Gen. Buffers plans have reached their
development. He declines to Send his
EinfantrSr across this zone against
formidable, positions by daylight, and
disclosesI his purpose to assault the
Spion kop heights during the night.
This appears 70, be the key to the Boer
| defenses.
IL he takes il end thus commands
the adjacent country, an important
and possibly decisive step will be
accomplished. a -.
Look for Worse News.
The Morning Post and the Standard
touch lightly upon the unpleasant fea-
lures of the dispatch and take hope
from the projected night attack, but
all things considered, the dispatch
looks like preparation for worse news.
Apparently Lord Roberts has moth
ing whatever TO do with Gen. Buffers
operation. Gen. Butler and the war
Office communicate with each other di-
rect. Buffers scheme was conceived
before Lord Roberts arrived at Cape
Town, and its execution was begun on
the day he branded. 2 The fact that the
Judgment of lord Roberts has not
been brought to bear upon the move
ment does not add to public conf.
5erceo 9linH 2utu979 EADiad afG50 4
bd' a Msfes isrtfish espfared. Eat .
r London, Jan. PAL was reported on
the stock exchange Tuesday that two
battaIions OF British troops have been
| captured by the Boers. ~
whitr's Headquarters Smashed.
| Head Boer Laager. Ladysmith, Jan.