Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-08
BrLLER Is FIGHTING TODAY.
General Opinion in London tO
Movements Mt the Front.

Movements at the Front.
LONDON. February s-Presumably Gen.
Butler is fighting again today in his third
atte mpt to relieve Ladysmith. and news OF
the greatest import may arrive at any mo-
ment Yet there is more doubt here than
exultation, for even if the recollection of
Gen. Buffers two disastrous failures after
auspicious starts were not keen in the
minds of the public, the list of casualties
published today would be sufficient re-
minder of the tremendous difficulties of his
task.
His occupation of vaalkrantz, the key to
the lower ridges, while praiseworthy and
gallant achievement, by no means signifies
that he and Cen White will inevitably join
hands Before Gen Butler there are several
days of hard fighting. and any attempt to
forecast the result would be valueless. If
based on precedent, which can hardly be
done in warfare, it would be bound to be in
favor of the Beers, for, apparently. the
conditions have not materially altered since
the last frutless attempt.
On the other hand, the British troops are
smarting under defeat and will undoubted-
ly be nerved to more desperate efforts than
ever before, and if furious gallantry can
carry General Butler over the kopjes that
face him I4adysmith will be relieved within
a week. But so far British bravery has
been, in the main, woefully misguided.
Barton May Also Advance.
1t is more than likely that General Bar
ton. at Ctieveley, may be strong enough to
advance on the Tugela and render valu-
able assistance from the southeast. while
the beleaguered garrison itself. according
to the latest dispatches, should be able to
create a potential diversion when General
Butler has overcome the initial difficulties
which lie in the kopjes Immediately north
Of the Tugela-
Turning from the transcendent interest In
Laadysmith the whole war area presents a
scene Of important activity. The Boer at
tack on Gen Gatacre's forces reported
February Z. hzzled out, the artillery of the
burghers. after shelling the camp retiring
upon the arrival of British reinforcements
The affair scarcely warrants being called a
skirmish- The British casualties were one
man killed and four men wounded.
The latest advices from Sterksstroom an
nounce that Gen. Gatacres cavalry is in
pursuit Of the Beers. While nothing has
resulted from this affair, 1t indicates that
me ourghers are fully alive to the import
ance OF the concentration which is on the
verge of occurring between the forces of
Gems. Gatacre. kelly-Kenny and French
ana they do not hesitate to take the aggres-
stve against the established positions in an
attempt TO thwart it, though il is believed
that sufficiently large body of troops will
soon be massed at Colesberg to assure the
unoppoSed advance Of the invading army
when il is ready to start
Ihat II is not prepared for this move at
present. and that all this activity is merely
preliminary to what is known as Field
Marshal Lord Roberts main movement is
evidenced by dispatch from Cane Town
Under date Of February {. announcing that
the director of transport was advertising
Ior OK wagons and drivers. Without these
IL would be hopeless TO think of CARRYING
on the invasion, and Ii must be a month
nelore they are ready. Another prelim-
mary Is that Gen. Roberts has oniy inst
soncuoned the formation Of the new CO.
!onldl yeomanry, consisting of a troon op
lVo men for each district of the coIopt 70
protect the loyal farmers. This force will
"e oi4cered from among the local yeomen
opinion as to Roberts Plans.
opinion is divided to whether Field
Marshal Lord Roberts and Gen. Kitchener
have gone to the Modder river or to Sterks-
troom- Gen. MacDonalds activity in the
former locality. combined with the belief
that the Colesburg movement is to draw off
a portion of the Free State force. has efven
rise 10 The hope that Gen. Methuen will
ShorIy be enabled to make a successful at
tack resulting in the relief of KimherIav
"hl4t the gradually thinning forces sI,r
rounding Mafeking will altogether melt
away. iiieil
Sir John Gordon Sprigg. the former nre-
niler OF tape Colony, has cabled To Mr.
Zimmerman, the colonial secretary In he
AaI OF the imperialtsts of Cape Colony.
cohSratu4aung him on the goyerpp,antSs
overwhelming Majority in the bonse 80
commons, and declaring the goyernment's
pcHcy, II steadfastly pursued would soc,,rs
South Africa. under British sunrs,noa,,
permanent prosperity. .