The silver blade. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1895-1903, 1899-12-09
GEN. METHUEI n COMMAND
Boers Are Said to He Leaving the Ma
tai for Modaer River with Presi-
dent steyn 1T the Front-Boers Are
Obtaining strong Foothoaa An
Cape Colony.

London, Dec. 9-The war office has re-
ceived the following message from General
Forester Walker, the British commander
at Cape Town:
General Methuen wires that he has re-
sumed command and is nightly IN com
munication with Kimberley. The health OF
the troops is excellent.
A story was current at Durham Decem-
ber s to the effect that the Beers made
what it is thought to have been their Anal
effort TO capture IAdysmith December 4.
and were defeated and retreated. The
story was brought by runners and should
be received with reservation.
According to dispatch from General
Schalkburger's laager, dated December 3,
French and Austrian military attaches had
arrived there, while the German attaches
had gone to join the Rocr forces along the
Tugelar river, where the collision was mo-
mentarily expected. Perhaps an explana-
ton Of the retirement Of the burgher from
Natal can be found in dispatch from
Modder river December Z, saying that .
strong Boer force, estimated at 5000 men,
was reinforcing General Cronie from
Natal. The samc dispatch says every
thing points to the fact that . great en-
gagement would be fought at Spytfuntein.
Beers are massing ON the hills, where
they are vigorously building stone defenses
and are digging rife pits In every direc-
ton. The Boer redoubts on LAzeretoe
ridge, west of Kimberley, are also being
extended and strengthened, showing that
the rumors Of intentions Of the Beers TO
abandon the attempt to stem Methuen's
advance are unfOunded.
The British have shifted their camp q
few hundred yards away from the battle
field and are settling down for the week
There are some cases Of fever among thu
camps. Much depends on Gatacre's ad
vance. There IL undoubtedly large con
centration Of Beers ahead of Methuen
Practically the whole of their Mafekina
forces have joined the Kimberley besieg
ers. Official dispatches give reports from
Colonel Kakewich, December and 4
showing that the Beers were increased II
numbers around Kimberley.
Inc bOer auVaHce III tuc uOEtucuotcAA :
part Of Cape Colony is becoming remark
able. Local farmers are focking to thu
Boer laagers, the townspeople in many
instances welcoming the invaders witt
,, every demonstration Of joy. The annexa
tion Of British territory proceeds daily
! Reported Boer successes have made I
} great impression among the Basutos
7 Advices from Pretoria say the govern
ment has allowed two cable messages 4
I reach Winston Churchill.
The mint at Pretoria is coming 10000
!. sovereigns monthly.
!. steyp Joins the Troops.
i The announcement is made in specis
dispatch from Bloemfontein, dated Sun
= day, December 3, that President Steyl
= of the Orange Free State has joined tn
!. Boer forces on Modder river. His appear
9 ance the dispatch says, caused great er
y thusiasm among the Beers. 1t is report
Q ed from Orange river that 1917 dead Boe'
y were taken to Kaflirskop after the bal
tie of Belmont.
8 Frere Camp, Natal, Dec. GA r,Imf
= from Ladysnith reports all well. III
!. bombardment, the message adds, continue
but is ineffective, the Boer shells only hi
ting the houses.