The silver blade. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1895-1903, 1900-02-03
BR|I|SH-BOER WAR GOES on
LApYsM1rHs FATE UNKNOWN.
General Butler In Close Quarters-
Rumors From Berlin-Big English
Loss-Reportsd Relief Of Mafe-
king.

RumOrs From Berlin-big Engltrh
Loss-Reportsd Relief Of Mafe-
king.
London, Jan. 29.-Spencer Wilkinson,
in articles on the war situation, has at
tracted much attention here and abroad.
He wrote the following review OF the sit
ustion for the Associated Press after the
war Office Lad gwen out Telegram from
General Roberts, dated at Cape Town, say
ing there was no change in the situation:
aThe affair of Spion Kop appears very
like reverse at the decisive point OF the
decisive battle. According to General Bull
ler's telegram, General Warren was ie-
termined to take the hill because it CON-
manded the enemy's other positions. Hav-
ing taken it Tuesday night he abandoned
it Wednesday night, presumably because
he was unable to hold it.
"The published words OF General Bull
lers telegram have the tone in which
reverse is announced. Whether the mis-
hap can be made good it is impossible
to say.
London, Jan. 29.-The only news issued
by the war office is dispatch from Lord
Roberts, stating that the situation is un-
changed and that General French reports
a reconnaissance of the enemy's position
on Thursday when he found the Beers
strongly posted at Pietfontein.
A special dispatch from Colenso says
that Commandant klcas Myers COM
mando surprised and surrounded a strong
body of General Methuen's infantry, kill
ing and wounding % and capturing, 10.
Says warreh Was Lured In.
Berlin, Jan. 29.-Some of the papers
here claim to have telegram from Pre-
toria saying that General Warren was
enticed into Spion Kop, where the Beers
fell upon him.
That II of his cannon were captured
and that Buffers hasty retreat over the
Tugela river alone can save him.
The alleged Pretoria telegram adds that
the British lesses were 500 men killed and
1900 men wounded.
The dispatch comes through Brussels
and does not receive much credence in this
city.
1t is said that the German foreign office
has a confirmation of the report that
General Warrens division has been
crushed.
London, Jan. 29.-The war Office has
no news of the catastrophe to Buller's
force, reported from Berlin, and discredits
the story.
Canada's Brave volunteers.
Halifax, N. s., Jan. 29.-The second de-
tachment of the second Canadian contin
gent to South Africa have embarked on
, the Pomeranian, marching through the
, city on their way to the transport.
After inspection they were addressed by
Lieutenant Governor Daily and Major
Hamilton, who wished them godspeed.
Beers Tell Of the Battle.
Boer Camp, Modder Spruit, Upper Tu
gela, Jan. 29.-The British are now en-
; deavoring to force with 10000 troops th'
: Spion Kop route to Ladysmith. The fir
ing on General Botha's position yesterda.
was terrific The grass was fired, rock
! dislodged and trenches pierced, but tn
battle was practically one-sided, the fed
erals only firing 30 shots. A ball from
I shell Tended in General Botha's pocket
The only Boer casualties were some horse
n wounded.
= The firing ceased at dark, but was re
sumed this morning in the vicinity @
i I.adysmith and here, but up to noon
e lacked vigor.
!. Lorenzo Marquee, Jan. 29.-It is report
/ ed on good Transvaal authority that Mafe
). king was relieved on January %.
|. British Retreated.
London, Jan. 29.-General Butler says
q General Warren's troops have retreate
q south Of the Tugela river. The Beers sa
t the British loss was 1900 killed last Wed
l. nesday 1t Ii believed here this include
the wounded. The Beers also claim .ha
a 16O of the English troops surrendered q
l. Spion Kop.
d General Buffers dispatch to the war OF
!, fee states that spion Kop was aban
doned on account of lack Of water. ir
D. heavy Boer fire.
n General Butler gives no list Of casualties
4, His whole force withdrew south Of III
rt Tugela river with the evident intenti1
1t Of reaching Ladysmith by another route.
N New York, Jan. 3O.-A special cabl
le gram from London to the Evening Worl
lie says:
le "It is learned from reliable sour
le that Lord Roberts has advised the aba
n- donment of Ladysmith."
At the war office, the dispatch add
no confirmation could be obtained of Il
r.. adyices said to have been given by Lol
Roberts.
at Defeat Is Acknowledged.
m London, Jan. 30.-The usual airy q
tempts to minimize the seriousness of t
he situation in South Africa are entire
ar lacking and it is frankly acknowledg
that the most serious effort of the prese
I'D war has most dismally failed. There
i'd no sign or wish Of the leaders Of pub
opinion to disguise the ugly facts, but
ry the contrary, there is every disposition
he face the full difficulty and discover
ed best way out. In short, the policy voic
at everywhere is gathering up Of the for
for more effective blows. All hopes Of