The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-01-10
BOERS MAKING 4 FIERCE ATTACK.
GLOOM in BRITAIN.
Effect Of Reverses and Of Fears Tor ladysmiih
--iniima,ed Thai Jouberps Siege
May Be Successful

The week opens with only fresh adj
ditions to the disasters that have be-
fallen British arms, and there is no lon
ger any sustaining confidence to buoy
up public opinion. The editorials this
morning fully reflect the extreme gray
ity of the situation, with painful under
current of ominous forebodings, mainly
caused by the fact that, while the Bo..
ers have now changed their tactics and
assumed the offensive. Gen. Butler is
apparently unable to do more to assist
Gen. White than in making demon
stration.
Little doubt remains as to the mean
ing OF the Boer attack A dispatch from
the Boer camp at Colcnso, dated Thurs
day last. sent by way of Lourenzo Mar
ques, mentions that thunder storm
had turned the dry ravines into torrents
and flooded the Tugela. Doubtless Cen
cral Joubert felt sure he had secured a
couple of days in which he could attack
Ladysmith without fear OF interference
from General Butler, who. even II he de-
cided to attempt to relieve the town,
would probably occupy three days III
reaching it by even a victorious advance.
Great Britain has to face the terrible
possibility that the next news viii be
the fall of Ladysmith. The disquicting
feature is that the Beers seem to have
had sufficient force TO deter General
Butler from attacking, while themselves
making strenuous efforts to reduce the
town.
In the presence of this ominous situa-
ton, even General Frcnchs disaster, ot
which apparently the worst has not yet
been heard, assumes quite minor inn
portance in the eyes OF the public.
The war office has already decided
upon immediate steps for sending the
Eighth infantry division TO South Al
rica. Some OF the regiments for this
division will be taken from Gibraltar
and Malta. They will be replaced by
militia.
1t is asserted that the customs author
ities on the river Thames have detained
two outgoing steamers and seized two
large guns and six Maxims, packed in
piano cases, intended for the Transvaal.
1t is also said that a quantity oi food
stuffs on another vessel have been seiz-
cd
Saturdays bombardment OF Lady
smith was the heaviest yet recorded. All
the heavy guns were working and the
Beers seemed to be pouring in shells
from every available lighter gun
The war office publishes the following
dispatch from Gen. Forester Walker
commanding at Cape Town: Gen.
French reports under date OF January
6: The situation is much the same as
yesterday, but | regret to report that a
serious accident has happened to the
First battalion OF the Suffolk regi-
ment'"
The Boers attacked Gen. Gatacrc's
position at Molteno with great energy
Wednesday morning, and at last reports
brisk engagement was i'll progress.
Molteno is the town to which Gen.
Gatacre retired after his recent defeat
at Stormberg.
There was brisk fohting Tuesday in
the hills around Colesbsrg. The Beers
stubbornly resisted the British at every
point, but gradually retreated. The
British held the extreme position to the
south and cast, overlooking the town.
An unexpected DEVELOPMENT OF the
situation at Colcsburg has occurred,
Late advances are that the Bocrs return
ed with reinforcements durin" the night
and occupied the position from which
they were driven by Gen. French.