Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1900-02-15
Kimberley in Dire Strata.

LoNroN, Feb. 14.-The news of the
day is the enforced retirement of the
British from the Colesburg distric,
under heavy Boer pressure and probably
after brisk fighting. Thus, at time
when Lord Roberts is apparently about
to push an army into the Free State,
the Beers make counter stroke in un-
known, but seeming great force, not far
from the vital line of railway connect.
ing DeAar and Orange river.
Military observers do not regard this
as more than a menace. Nevertheless
the news produces an unpleasant i'm
preston here. General French had
maneuvered the Beers out of Rensberg
in December. Jan. it was reported
that he could take Colesburg in two
days with reinforcements. These were
sent, but the Beers were also reinforced.
Since then the British lines have been
extended east and west, so that at the
opening OF this week they constituted a
great horseshoe 25 miles in length. The
lines We're not continuous, but all the
strong positions were held.
General French, when he joined Lord
Roberts, presumably took most of his
cavalry. General Clements was left
with the infantry to hold the Beers in
check, but Commandant Delaney, with
double turning movement, has COM
PEELED the British to concentrate at
, Rensberg, beside threatening Lord Rob.
erts communications.
The Boer mastery of the district has
caused a spread Of the insurrection.
but this no doubt, will be promptly re.
pressed, as large British forces are avail
able not far away.
The indications as to General Buller's
immediate intentions are contradictory.
One informant who has intimate rela
tions with the war office predicts a
movement within the next day or two.
A number OF correspondents who have
been with General Butler have gone to
Durham for a few days rest, under the
impression that nothing is to be done
immediately. The war office has di-
rected the Eighth division of 10000
men to prepare to go out.
Startling intelligence comes from
Kimberley in the Cape newspapers lust
received by mail in London. 1t appears
that since Jan. 8 the rations at Kim.
berley have been for the most part
horse flesh, so repugnant to women and
children that many refuse to eat. It
also appears that the death rate has
been heavy and that the privations of
the garrison have been increasing stead
lily. This news is startling because the
censor has not allowed it to be cabled.
Possibly such conditions explain the
presence of Lord Roberts at Modder
river and the apparent preparations for
an advance from that point.
Fourth Attempt to Relieve LadvsmItb
LONDON, Feb. l2.-Winston Churchill
sends from Freere camp q long review
OF the situation. He says: "Another
herce attempt will be made to force the
Tugela. Great Britain must realize the
ugly fact that the relief of Ladysmith
would strain an army of $4,000, and
that 100000 would not be too MANY.
The country, therefore, must be pre-
pared for heavy loss and, perhaps, for
Remembering that
considerations of honor, more than
policy, demand ceaseless efforts to re.
lieve Ladysmith, the whole army. de-
spite disappointments and retreats, re-
CARDS General Butler with sympathy
and trust. The necessity of obtaining
control Of Delagoa bay is doubly an,
parent. The ingress of foreigners and