Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-02-03
.G[NL. BULLER'S MOVEMENTS
NO OFFICIAL INFORMATION OF
OF WHAT IS TAXING PLACE ON
UPPER TUGELA RIVER.
BETTER FEELING IN LONDON.
The Report That Butler Il Advance
ing Created a Favorable Impress
sfon-More Troops Inspected By
the Prince of Wales Prior to
Their Departure for south Africa.

Their Departure for south Africa.
LONDON. February 2.-There Is no
official news from Gen. Buffers head
quarters, and the only information
which has reached London in any way
supporting the reports that he has re-
crossed the Tugela River is found in
the Associated Press dispatch an
nouncing Lord Dundona1d's reconnois-
sance, which is taken to indicate a
prelude to renewed activity. AS the
dispatch is three days old, and Lord
Dundonald found no difficulty in cross
ing the river, it is not impossible that
Gen. Butler hay have moved in the
interim, and public anxiety is again
concentrated on the Upper Tugela.
Dispatches from elsewhere in South
Africa merely tell of desultory shell
firing and the movement of patrols,
though Cape Town mentions a rumor
that Gen. French has captured eight
hundred Beers, where and when not
being announced.
This morning at the Life Guards bar
racks, Regents Park, the Prince Of
Wales inspected another contingent Of
yeomanry and honorable artillery COM
pany volunteers prior to their depar-
ture from London to embark for South
Africa.
The spectators included Lord Mayor
Newton, a number of city dignitaries,
army officers and many ladies. The
Prince of Wales made a speech to the
men in the same vein as his address
to the first contingent of yeomanry at
their departure from London Friday
last.
Sensational rumors are current that
the militia ballot act win be put in
force February IA, and that Gen. Lord
Roberts, the commander-in-chief of the
British forces in South Africa, has
cabled for 10000 additional men, which,
it is added, the government has prom
Used to give him, sending $4,000 militia
and volunteers and 10000 militia re-
serves. 1t is also said that the volun-
teers will be modified forthwith. 1t Is
even asserted to-day that the cabinet
has specially dealt with these mat
tiers.
The militia ballot act makes every un-
married man between IS and 80 years
of age liable to serve for five years.
There is a decidedly more cheerful
feeling in London. The confirmation
OF the report that Gen. Butler had an
nounced that he would relieve Lady
smith, together with the unconfirmed
report that he had actually begun a
new forward movement, had a good
effect on the public mind. Figures
just published have had reassuring
effect. The government announces
that it was aseertained before the war
900 men in the field. The British in
a few days will have $4,000 men in
South Africa Gen. Joubert. accord
ing to late advices. has 10000 men
surrounding Ladysmith and confront
ing Gen. Butler. In the recent turn
ing movement Gen. Butler lost 1885
men, but the places are filled. The
Beers have no means of replacing the
lost men with fresh soldiers. Looking
at the matter in this light it is as in
evitable that Joubert will be beaten
as it was that Grant would take Rich
mond.
Few dispatches are now allowed to
come through from the seat Of opera
tons about StromIberg and Colesberg,
and Gen. Roberts is clearly anxious to
direct attention from the work in pro-
gress in cooperating with Gen. Cat
acre and Gen. French. The Dutch gar
risons both at Stromberg and Cclesberg
have been reinforced and the Boer
strategists are striving to repeat their
tactics at Magersfontein, Colenso and
Spion Kop by creating a new impasse
by which the British invasion Of the
Free State may be blocked.
The military experts are inclined to
be easier with Butler since he and his
army are so undaunted and the harsh
criticism is shifting to the ministry.