The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1900-01-04
A MOVE PROBABLE.
A Dark Hint Received From CbieveIy
Camp.
GENERAL BULLER MAY TRY AGAIN.
A Foreign Consulate In Pretoria
Under Suspicion - Some Slight
Hops.

London, by Cable.-The latest spec
ial dispatches from Chievely camp
hint darkly that some important
movement is imminent. This is in
terpreted, with some misgivings, that
1T means that Gen. Butler con.em-
plates renewal of his attempt to re-
lieve Ladysmith. 1t is reported by the
same dispatches that the Beers have
now retired to the north bank of the
Tugeia, being afraid that the swollen
river may bar their retreat. They arc
also moving their laagers nearer La
dysmith probably with the intention
Of putting further pressure on the gar
rison, which now seems to be suffering
pretty heavily from the bombardment
It is difficult, however, to conceive
that Gen. Butler would make another
frontal attack, especially now that the
river is rising. and an additional indi-
cation that this is not his purpose, is
quarters back to Frere. The Boer
movement northward from the Tugela
is quite in keeping with the enemy's
usual plan Of securing a safe line of
retreat. 1t Is known that artillery Is
due to arrive for General Butler, but
the belief here is that his force, even
then, would be too weak. He may,
however. be animated by desire to
accomplish something before the ar
rival of Lord Roberts, and to satisfy
the keenness Of his men to retrieve
their defeat. The reported engage
mert with Kaffirs is very vague and
can not be explained pending the ar
rival of later dispatches.
The Times has a dispatch from Lo-
renzo Marques, dated December 2sth,
which says: ''The suspicion that the
Boer intelligence departments is in
close touch with foreign consulate in
Pretoria is confirmed by the fact that
the news of the appointment of Lord
| Roberts as commander-in.-ch chief in
South Africa was generally known in
Pretoria on December Goth, indirectly
reaching Delagoa Bay from the Trans
vaal two days later. Suspicion rests
upon a consul who is notorious for his
Boer sympathies. There is reason to
believe that Pretoria is kept we'll in
formed with regard to british military
| movements.
With reference to the rumors of
some smuggling of contraband it IS
| said that Major Erasmus. of the Free
| State artillery, IS here, his arrival be-
| ing coincident with that of the French
! liner. Considering the freedom with
which the Trausvaal secret service
fund is spent, coraiderable mischief
| may be done unless cargoes are in
| spected by British searchers who un-
derstand foreign bills of lading.
! The Modder river correspondent OF
the Times, referring to the scare firing
| of the Beers, says: Their nervous
| ness causes much amusement among
! the British. 1t is quite certain that
| half the Boer force is employed watch
ing by day and the other half by night
Probably the consequent WEAKNESS
with the scarcity of water and the
presence of typhoid will render the
Beer position intolerable. Their pres.
ent action is due either to a scare, o1
I to wish to cover a retirement to
! Spytfontein."
The Cape Town correspondent Of the
Daily News says: "a leading resident
of Vryburg, who was released by the
Beers, saw 1000 colonials from Gri.
qualand West. He says colonial faces
are to be seen everywhere in the Boel
| ranks