The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-02-13

London, February 81 a. m.-AII the
messages from the observers with Cen
eral Butler throw in a phrase or two
about the strength OF the BOer posi-
tons and the difficulties of General
Buffers work but they do not carry
events beyond Tuesday evening.
Their last ender narratives leave
the British advance on V~aalkrantz. in
the centre Of a semi-circle, where the
troops are exposed to the Boer artillery
on both sides and in the centre.
The fghtiSg continued until 9 o'clock
Tuesday evening and almost without
doubt continued Wednesday, as the
Beers would certainly not leave this
wedge into their lines unmolested. 1t
is also inferred that General Butler
must either continue his advance or
retire.
THE BRITISH LOSSES.
The heaviest fighting appears to have
been on Tuesday. General Buffers 233
casualties are mentioned as having oc-
CURED before Tuesday noon. Large
lists are consequently expected for the
rest Of the day. The casualties al
ready reported bring the total British
losses during the war to 1924 killed,
wounde and captured.
IL NAEPC1ANApl AClc - IdlIcI 10
minimize the Importance of the fight
ing in Natal and to suggest that this
IS only an incident nyway placing
hope upon expected decisive engage
ments in northern Cape Colony and
apo the invasion of the Free State
by Lord Roberts. At all events, this
is he official view.
ENGLAND'S MUZZLE-LOADERS.
The public does not like these new
waits aud rhara iG charm anvia+y- frr
further news. This apprehension has
suddenly found expression. During the
last TWO OF three days, in half the
newspapers IN england, the govern
ments attention has been specially di-
reCted To the Misunderstanding guns
Even public men have been painfully
surprised to learn hat sixteen battle
ships and eight armOred cruisers de-
pend upon mUZzle-lOaders.
This means that smaller. but faster,
ships. With moGcrn guns would be
able to stay 1000 or 1000 yards cut of
range ana TO disable in leisurly fashion
JbcUt Cue-.hirG of the vessels which
ap.-ar n the naval list as "firSL class. "
The adm -altv is understood to e
preparing to remedy this defect ard
to propose also considerable coalitions
that viii preserve the present ratio ct
Great BrirGEn's naval station to that
OF France and Germany.
London, February S.-News of the
greatest import may arrive at any mo-
ment. Yet here there is more doubt
than exultatiOn, for, even if the recol-
lection of General Buffers two diSaS-
trOus failures after suspicious starts
were not keen in the minds of the pub
lie, the list of casualties published to-
day would be a sufficient reminder of
the tremendous difficulties of his task.
His occupation of VaalkrantZ, the key
to the lower ridges, while a praise
worthy and gallant achievement, by
no means signifies that he and Gen
eraI White will inevitably join hands.
HARD FIGHTING BEFORE BUTLER
Before General Butler there are sew
eral days of hard fighting, and any at
tempt TO forecast the result would be
Valueless. If based on precedent, which
can hardly be lone in warfare, it WOULD
be bound to be in favor of the Beers
for. apparently, the conditions have
not materially altered since the las
fruitleSS attempt.
On the other hand, the British troops
are smarting under defeat and will un-
dOubtedly be nerved to more desperate
efforts than ever before, and if furious
galIantry can carry General Butler Ovel
the kOpjes that face him Ladysmitf
will be relieved within a week; but
so far, British bravery has been in thu
main wOefully misguided.
1t is more than likely that Genera
Barton, at Chivelrey, may be strong
enough to advance on the TuSela an(
rende valuable assistance from tn
southeast, while the beleagured garri
son itself. according to the latest dis
patches, should be able to create
potential diversion when General Bull
Ter has overcome the initial difficultie
which lie in the kOpjes immediatel.
north of the Tugela.
SITUATION IN THE WEST.
Turning from the t-ranscendent in
terest in Ladysmith, the whole wa
area presents a scene of important &C
tivity. The Boer attack on Genera
Gatacre's forces reported Februar,
eth. friZZled out. the artillery of tn
burghers, after Smelling the camp, re
firing upon the arrival of British re
Inducements. The affair scarcely war
rants being called a skirmish. TIL
British casualties were one man kllle
and four men wounded. The latest ad
vices from Sterkstroom announce tina
Genera Gatacre'S cavalry Is In pur
suit of the Beers. While nothing ha
resulted from this affair. il indicate
that the b%urghers are fully alive
the Importance of the
which is on the verge of occurring be
tween the forces of Generals Gatacrt
kelly-Kenny and French. and they d
not hesitate to take the aggreSsiv
against established positions in an Al
tempt to thWart ii, though it is be
lieved that a sufficiently large body c
troops will soon be massed at Coles
berg TO ensure the ~nsuppos advanC
of the invading army hen it is read
TO start.
That it is not prepared for this NOV
at present and that all this activity
merely preliminary TO what is know
as Field Marshal Lord Roberts mai
movement is evidenced by a dispatc
from Cape Town, under date of Fet
ruarv It'll. announcing that the dire
tor of transports was advertising fl
OK wagons and drivers. Without theS
il would be hopeless TO think of carr!
ing on the INVASION and it must be
month or more before they are read,
Another preliminary which Gener;
Roberts has only just sanctioned Is II