The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-07
I NO NEWS FROM GEN. BULLER.
NATAL is PRACTICALLY SHUT OFF
FROM THE WORLD.

IL Is Reported, However. That Fight
ing Is suII Going on-London Pco,
pie Are Between Doubt and Fear.
Lord Roberts Manifesto to Border
Observation-Disclosures Men Again
on the Move-MncDOnnId Attacked
Beers with 1900 Men.
London. Feb. Z, 4:20 a. m.-T4ord Roberts
has caused to be distributed in the towns
bordering upon the invaded colonial TERRI
tory an invitation TO Free staters and
Transvaalers to go into the desert, offer-
ing them good treatment and a restora-
tion to their farm on the British occupa.
ton of republican territory
The manifesto guarantees that those
bringing horses can sell them. Foreign-
ers will have their passage paid 20 Eu-
rope. Colonial rebels are advised to sur
render in preference to being taken pris-
oners
Not a word has been received from tho
correspondents with Gen. Butler for three
days 1t is as though Natal had been
wiped off the map except the heliogram
from Lodysmith saying that the Beers
are cannonadIng and that fighting is go
ing on"
Gen Macdonald with 1000 infantry,
cavalry ana artillery threatens the Boer
right at Magersfontein. This IS the first
sign of activity on the part of Lord Me-
thuen for some weeks, and doubtless has
relation to the movements of the British
further east.
Capt Walker Congrove, who received the
UiNlorfa for
90 save the British guns at Colenso.
writes:
Il never saw n Boer all day, and do
not think any one else did. Thousands of
bullets pattered and shells burst all over
the place. but the Beers were invisible
The Transvaal special war tax of two
shillings ana six pence per acre affects
100000 acres of English-owned land. @
part of which is not worth more than the
tax
Move Made by Methuen.
The Standard has received the follow
Ing Dispatch dated Monday. Feb. 3. from
Kopples Dam:
"Gen. Macdonald, with brigade of In
fantTy, regiment Of lancers and one bat
terry, has reached here from Modder River
camp in what is regarded as an important
movement TO the right OF the Boer posi-
ton at Magersfontein.
'Koppies Dam commands the road from
Kimberley to Hope Town aud Douglass.
Two Boer laagers, at Kamulhoek and
Griquatown, are within striking distance.
'The arrival Of Gen. MacDonald's col
umn was opportune, as it just prevented
two large commandos effecting junction.
He now holds both banks Of the river.
"Our lancers had two brushes with the
Boer patrols. There is great activity
among the enemy and strong forces are
concentrating 70 oppose our further adj
vance. The troops suffered from heat
aud scarcity of water during the march,"
At the Mercy of RumOrs.
London. Feb. 6.-SThis hoping, fearing,
doubling nation remains at the mercy of
every wild rumor
The impression that Gen. Buffers forces
are fighting will not die out in spite of
the continuous asseverations of the war
Office that II has no news 90 confirm that
belief
From Cape Town, under to-day's date,
comes the statement that up to this morn-
Ing nothing has been heard there regard
ing Gen. Buffers recrossing the Tugel1
river, while Field Marshal Lord Roberts
in a dispatch dated Monday Feb. 5, re-
ports no change in the situation. In view
OF the latter's dispatches, II seems hard
to credit the circumstantial reports OF the
engagement of Gen. Buffers troops. The
common sense now almost inclines towards
the decision that these are due to the wise
being the father of the thought Suppo-
siton upon such basis 1t utterly futile.
The complete silence from the front and at
home may be significant, as the wiseacre5
aver, but 1t more probably represents
that period OF preparation which precedes
an important movement
French's Reported Movement.
In other parts than the Tugela the con-
ditions Of information are scarcely more
satisfactory. There is an inconclusiva
Vaguoness regarding Gen. French's report
ed intention to march to Norval's Pont
with an overwhelming force of infantry.
While news OF sharp fighting in the negh-
borhOod of Colesberg can be fairly expec-
ted within a few days, it is not likely
that il will assume greater proportions
than "Reminiscences and 'skirmishes for
the purpose of holding the advanced po-
sition OF the forthcoming main advances
by way of Bloemfoutein. Gen. French Is
strateglcally prohibited from running any
serious risk.
Lord Roberts reply to Presidents Kru-
ger and Steyn creates an excellent inn
preston here.
From Kimberley and Mafeking there IS
nothing new, so 1t can be presumed that
the Intermittent bombardment of these pla-
ces continues