Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1900-01-23
SOME EXCITING NEWS TODAY
British Attack the Beers Posi-
zion at CoIesbere and Bloody
Work Is Done
BOERs HOLDING THEIR OWN


anxiety, but General Butler is engaged
in big operations which will take con
siderable time to work out. Ever
a slight advance in General Warren's
forces, after two-days' fighting, does
not appear to have yielded important
advantage to the British, as the cap
tured l1opjes were evidently only helC
as advanced posts in order to delay
the progress Of the British troops ant
enable the Beers to complete theil
entertainments and mount their guns
in positions on which they elected tC
make stand. 1t is remarked that
the Beers thus far have used little
artillery from which it is judged that
their guns are already mounted ON
tactical positions, from which the Bri
tish will have to dislodge the republi-
cans before reaching Ladysmith.
There is no confirmation of the report
that Lord Dundonald had entered
Ladysmith and none is expected Ex-
perts are of opinion that the Beers
would only be too glad to let him in
unopposed. Dispatches posted at the
war office up to 3 o'clock. this after
noon though dated Spearmans Camp
today, contain nothing but reports of
casualties. Gen. Butler reports woun-
ded, January Goth, included; second
Lancashires: Captains bod, Whyte,
Ormond, and Lieut. Campbell. In the
York and Lancaster regiments:
Lieuts. Smith, Wedd and Staff Cap
tain Dallas.
London, Jan. 23-It was reported on
the stock exchange that two battal-
ions of British troops had been cap
tured by the Beers.
Berlin, Jan. 23-A rumor on
bourse is to the effect that General
Butler had suffered defeat.
The fact that General Butler this
morning sent lists of casualties of
British troops, seems to disprove these
stories.
Kimberly, Jan. 23-The Beers con
tinue a heavy and active lombard
ment of this place.
New York, Jan. 23-The Brussels S
correspondent of the World" obtain
ed the following statement from DR..
Leyds, of Transvaal, the envoy-ex-
traordinary to Europe, before. he left
for Paris yesterday on diplomatic
mission: SIN view of the new criti-
cal phase into which the war is now
entering, send the people of America
a few words on the subject of any
eventual proposals in regard to sds-
pension of hostilities, the desire fol-
which appears to be gaining strength
on beth sides of the Atlantic. l an
as confident as ever of the ultimate
triumph of our cause. The temporary
success of the British arms woul(
merely have the effect of infusins
fresh vigor into our men and strength
ening their determination to hold out
at whatever cost. Yet this does no
alter the fact that President Kruger
attitude is and will remain to be on
of conciliation and that he would b.
both ready and desirous of treaty OF
any terms which assured the Soutl
African republic that independ
ence, so much insisted on in the Bri
tish statement, during the earle
period of the negotiations"
Boer Camp, Upper Tugela River
Jan 19-The British now occup
three positions along the Tugela river
Their naval guns have been tirin
steel-pointed, armor-piercing shells
Reports are being received that 200
British cavalry were attempting t
outhank along Drakensberg ridg
and a strong patrol was sent to re
connoiter.. Mistaking the signals
scouts and patrol proceeded to
kopje, from which a terrific rife an
Maxim-gun fire suddenly opened TIL
Beers lost fourteen killed and tweI
ty wounded. The British loss wa
probably insignificant.
The bombardment of the Boer pos
tions from Swartzkopf was resume
yesterday chiefly from a batter
brought across the river. In the a
ternoon, the cannonading became e
ceedingly brisk and under cover ther
Of, the infantry advanced in thrt
lines to a second row of kopjes, whic
they occupied at nightfall. but lat
retired to their old position. Durir
the night scores were fired by Il
British and a balloon was sent up
spy out the Boer positions. The nav
guns renewed the bombardment tn
J morning from new position, b
without result.
Head Laager, Ladysmith, Cape CT
ony. Jan. 2s The sixty-ninth birthdl
Of General Joubert was celebrate
by General Botha making recol
noissance in force towards the ORA
ensbrg mountains. turning the Bl
tish advance. after short engag
menE Joubert accompanied Pres
dent steyn to the Free State laage