The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1900-01-08
THE FALL OF LADYSM|TH.
BOERS ATTACKED 1T SAVA0ELY
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.
Last HelIoeraph MesssRe From white.
Sent About Noon Yesterday. Stated
That lie Was Hard Pressed-6en.
French SustsIns Another Loss.

| SAibACuA nOhuCut III tHC Cdul Poieu
1t may safely be said that at nc
previous time has there been such
anxious suspense as will be passed
through until the arrival of further
news regarding the fate of Lady.
smith.
The week opens with only fresh
additions TO the disasters that bave
befallen British arms, and there is
no longer any sustaining conf
dence to buoy up public opinion
The editorials this morning fully
reflect the extreme gravity of the
situation, with painful undercur-
rent of ominous foreboding. main
ly caused by the fact that while the
Beers have now changed their tac-
ties and assumed the offensive,
Gen. Butler is apparently unable
to do more to assist Gen. White
than in making demonstration
The Post says He might as
well have ordered a display of fire.
works"
AS the heliograph ceased work
ing yesterday Sunday it is pre-
sumed that Gen. Whites last
message was sent by a pigeon OF
runner. Its purport is serious
enough.
The Times publishes a disratch
from Ladysmith dated Jan. /, re-
cording two night movements on
the part of the Beers to assault
the town. These had to be a6an-
doned when the British defenses
were reached, but the correspond
ent says it was apparent that the
great attack would not be long de-
layed. He adds:
Loyalty supported by their civil
lians, the garrison can hold out
for considerable period. We are
not yet reduced to half rations.
The greatest difficulty is hospital
accommodation for the wounded
and sick"
Little doubt remains as to the
meaning of the Boer attack. A
dispatch from the Boer camp al
Colenso dated Thursday last and
sent by the way of Lorenzo Mar.
quez, mentions that a thunder.
storm had turned the dry ravines
into torrents and flooded the Tu'
gela. Doubtless Gen. Joubert fell
sure he had secured couple o.
days in which he could attack
Ladysmith without fear of interfer
ence from Gen. Butler, who, ever
if he decided to attempt to relieve
the town. would probably occup!
three days in reaching it by even ;
victorious advance.
Apparently on Saturday Gen
Butler was not ready to attack
Possibly Gen. Joubert anticipated
that Gen. Butler would shortly de
, liver an attack, and in that case
. Gen. Butler may have actuall
opened battle yesterday.
Great Britain has to face tn
: terrible possibility that the mex
news will be the fall of Ladysmith
The disquieting feature is that the
, seem to have had sufficient force
to deter Gen. Butler from attach
E ing, while themselves maxim
= strenuous efforts to reduce th
town.
In the presence of the ominor
= situation even Gen. French's dii
aster, of which apparently IL
worst has not been heard, assume
= quite minor importance in the ey'
of the public.
The war Office has already deci'
: ed upon immediate steps for SEM
/ ing an eighth infantry division
y South Africa. Some regimen
l. will be taken from Gibraltar ar
i Malta. They will be replaced
e militia.
1t is asserted that the custom
Il authorities on the river Than
- have detained two outgoing stear
ers and seized two large guns ar
n six maxims, packed in paino case
intended for the Transvaal. 1t
also said that quantity of foo
}, stuffs on another vessel have be-
seized.