The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-28
War Office Alleged to Have Re-
ceived News Of Disasters.
Berlin Publishes Story, Alleged to
Have Come From Pretoria, That
Warren's Force Has been Nearly
Destroyed, bat 1t IL Not Seriously
Credited There-The Defense Conn
mittee Of the British War Once
Holds . Session, the Cabinet
Ministers Being Present-More
Troops Are Beins Mobiiised.

Ministers Being Present-More
Troops Are Being Mobiiised.
LONDON. Jan. q, 4:So a. m.-The only
news issued by the war office during the
night is a dispatch from Lord Roberts,
dated yesterday Saturday. stating that
the situation is unchanged, and that Gen..
French reports a reconnaissance of thesen-
emy's position on Thursday, when he found
the Beers strongly posted at Pietfontein.
The maps do not show any such place IN
the region Of Gen. Frencf's operations. and
It is probable that Reitfontein. ten miles
north of CoIeeburg. is the place alluded to.
Methuen Loses some Men.
A special dispatch from Colenso. dated
Wednesday, January "a. says that Com
mandant Lucas Meters surprised ana sur
rounded a strong body of Gen. Methuen's
infantry, killing and wounding twenty
three and capturing fifteen.
Attention Turns to Parliament.
The absence Of news from the front Is
causing public attention to turn to the
approaching opening Of parliament, and
speculation as to how: the government VIII
meet the attacks on It with regard to
the causes and conduct of the war, Tore
taste Of which has already been given In
the speeches Of Mr.. John Morley and 9TH
ers during the past week.
The governments defense II perhaps fore
shadowed by the speeches made at Birm-
ingham last evening by MIR. Jesse Col
Inns and Mr.. J. Austin Chamberlain.
More Troops to n lEohinfnsas
The war office has decided to ernbody two
additional militia battalions and another
battery of artillery.
Clery'a Alleged Defeat.
There is no mention of the reports cir
culated in the United States that Gen.
Clery has been defeated by the Beers.
When last heard from, Cleary was particle
pating in Warren's movement.
Rumors Of Had News.
The defense committee OF the war office
met this afternoon, Lord Salisbury presid-'
ing. There are reiterated rumors that the
gravest kind of news from Natal Is being
concealed by the war office. 1t is even
said that Buffers forces are in full re-
treat.
1t is impossible to confirm or deny the
reports, as the officials maintain silence as
10 tne rulors' An~S say lAoS nave 'io'A-As
for publication. II Is 'eVloeht'i however
from the war once announcements li'a. .ie
casualties reported py buiier occurreu al
Lyttletons brigade. wnicn apparently was
not engaged at Spionkop, that there has
been severe fighting not yet reported
Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, chancellor OF
the exchequer, came to London purposely
to attend 'ne ue,ense eo''A'ee ses' A..s"
and Joseph cha"oeriaih' seole'als =. s.a.o
Tor the coiohies' saSo up o.,ae, ene
ior tie .0e 80. -, .I,.
'''anu 49, sa,,rg 90 The cornmittae
Important movements 'nc Nor."'
There are signs OF important movements
developing In the north OF cape Coiony.'
Gen. French has succeeded In getting in
touch with Gen. Gatacre, possibly presag-
ing q combination of the two columns and
the commencement of concentration of
forces. which is believed to be the ground
work OF Lord Roberts plan Of campaign.
Rumors Of Warren's Defeat,
pEpI,N ran o7-sor,a ~ tb. ,aners
-. 49,. .. hava ,aIagrar, fror, pra-
M ~. na.l,,, c., uarre,, ,,as ant,oaa
-. s.~,.,,,,,, ,hara ,ha poars eel, ,,,on'
him. that seventeen 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 losses were 500 men killed and
l.JU