Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1900-01-18
THE AFRICAN WAR.

On Friday the London papers gave
the loss to the English by the attack by
the Beers in Ladysmith, on the 9th, at
500. and estimated the Boer loss at 5000.
There were rumors of a concerted
movement by all the English armies.
Gen. Butler was reported to be moving
his army westward, up the Tugela,
which was in food.
On Saturday Gen. Roberts telegraph
ed from Cape Town to the British War
Office:
''Methuen's cavalry reconnaissance re
turned on January II. Went twenty
five miles into the Free State. Country
clear of enemy. except patrols.
"All quiet at Modder river.
French reconnoitered around the
enemy's left flank on January 10 Ad-
vanced from Sliumger's farm on Jan
uary 1 with cavalry and horse artillery
to lombard Boer laager east of Coles
berg Junction, but was unable to ont
flank the enemy.
Reconnaissance of cavalry and mount
ed infantry pushed north of Bastards
Mex and examined country north Of
ridge
''Gatacre reports no change.
'All well on December % at Mafek
ing"
In a letter written to his father from
Mooi river on November % au officer in
the Queens Royal West Surry Regi-
ment says:
Against an enemy like the Beers in
fantry is useless. The Beers have spies
everywhere, and, as they are well
mounted, they can move away hours
before our infantry can get wit in
striking distance. On the other hand,
they will never attack, and when we
advance toward Pretoria commands
will be left all over the country looting
and burning farms. The only people
who have a chance with them are the
local volunteers. If the Government
would only raise about 1000 volunteers
and send out a lot of mounted Infantry
who could work with the local yolun-
teers these isolated Boer forces would
soon be wiped out. AT present we are
helpless, as they make rings around us.
On Tuesday Gen. Warren and his
column were reported across the Tugela,
and advancing to the relief of Lady
smith.
A dispatch dated Saturday, January
13 from Lourenzo Marques. says:
president Kruger has issued proc
lamation ordering all burghers to the
front. The 'Volksstem, the Transvaal
official organ, suggests that the moment
the British cross the border the gold in
dustry should be i1retrivably destroyed.
President Kruger also issued a circular,
dated January s, to Boer commandanis
and burghers urging them to show more
energy in the Transvaal cause. He
quotes psalm 80, verse 7, as God-giyen
instructions to the burghers and says
that the British have fixed their faith
in psalm 80. He also quotes psalm 50,
verses 13 and IA and asserts that he has
searched the Bible without being able
to find any other mode which can be
followed by the Beers, who must fight
in the name of the Lord. Com
Wandering is proceeding busilv It
Pretoria, where the town guard is ex-
changing Mausers for Martins, as the
former are badly needed at the front.
1t is said that there are nearly 5000
British prisoners in Pretoria. -
On Tuesday heavy firing was heard
along the Tugela river, to the west Of
Colenso, and battle was supposed TO
be on.
This morning Gen. Bull er and his
army were reported to be on the north
side of the Tugela, and in good position.
THE republic of Colombia, South
is having d red hot rebellion.
1t is said the rebels have whipped the
government troops and are marching On
to the capital Bogota. If they get
into control new president will be
placed in power who will likely be
moved by Venezuelan influence.