The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-07

LONDON, Dec. q 4:3o a. m.-Ladysmith
has established photographic communica-
tion with Freere. and it is reported that
all was well up to Sunday. A dispatch
from the Boer laager by way OF Lourenzo
Marquee. dated Thursday. November 80.
confirms the report that the commandos
have been closing in upon Ladysmith and
mounting big guns in new positions
still BombardinE Ladysmith.
According TO the same advices. heavy
cannonade has been maintained and q gen.
erai assault had been ordered for Thurs
day morning, but was countermanGed at
the last moment.
Methuen stiII at Modder River.
Modder river dispatches say that the
Beers are encamped amid the hills half
way to Kimberley: but it is also asserted
that large body Of the enemy have gone
In the direction Of Jacobedahl. 1t is possi-
BILE, therefore, that Lord Methuen may
endeavor to clear his right TANKS as far as
Jacobsdahi before continuing hts advance.
He is still waiting at Modder river for
stores, guns and ammunition.
scott-Turner sortie.
The sortie from Kimberley on November
Is appears to have been much more seri-
GUS than had been supposed. Details are
now arriving of reconnaissance In force
by mounted troops under Maj. scott-Tur-
ner at dawn on a ridge near Carriers
farm, where the Beers are strongly In
trenched. Finding the Boer pickets asleep,
Maj. Scott-Turner proceeded along the
ridge under cover and rushed the Boer re-
doubts at 5:25 a. m. in the face of hail
of bullets.
The Beers hoisted a white flag and fired
at the British under Its protection before
surrendering. Owing possibly to the ex-
haustion of their ammunition. the British
were unable to follow up the attack and to
seize a large Boer laager about 300 yards
ahead, especially as Boer reinforcements
were seen approaching and the enemy was
keeping up heavy fire from the shelter Of
the thick brush.
During the sortie an armored train re-
connoitered north and south, while con-
siderable force OF British. with field guns
and Maxims, advanced toward Spytfontein
holding the Beers in check in that direc-
ton.
Terrific Artillery Duel.
Ten guns were engaged simultaneously.
and, viewed from the coming tower, an
artillery duel seemed to be proceeding In
every direction, except toward Kenilworth,
the fusillade being terrific. At o'clock.
having no force sufficient to hold the posi-
tion he had stormed, Maj. Scott-Turner
began gradually retiring his men. He had
horse shot from under him, and bullet
went through the fieshy part of his shoul-
der. Several men had terrible wounds.
Twenty-eight Beers Captured.
1t is alleged that the Beers used Mar
TINS and explosive bullets, and that they
frequently fired at the British ambulance
wagons The British captured twenty
eight OF the enemy.
ScOtt-Turner Killed.
There appears to be some doubt as to
whether this was the reconnaissance IN
which, according to the announcement of
the war office. Mai Scott-Turner was
killed, or whether that officer met his
fate in a subsequent sortie. Some of the
special dispatches report that he was kill
ed while leading the final attack on the
Boer position. on November 2s. If this be
correct, it looks like q sortie concerted
with Lord Methuen.
American Leaves johannesburg.
The Times prints letter from an Amer
ican citizen, who left Johannesburg be-
cause he was liable to be impressed, and
who had learned that the United States
consul was unable to protect him. He
complains bitterly that the American flag
was not respected in Pretoria, that his
passport was not recognized. and that
his position was practically unbearable.
1t is reported from Cape Town that the
| Transvaal government still refuses to ac-
knowledge the right of the United States
| to interfere regarding prisoners in Pre-
| toria, insisting that Great Britain must
| inquire through Commandant Gen. Jou-
bert.
Free Staters Leave Ladysmith.
A dispatch from Freere camp, dated De-
cember 5, says:
1.-THE Beers are firing into Ladysmith
II is rumored that 5000 Free State troops
have left Ladysmith, entertaining the
grayest fears as to the safety Of their
own country"
Much News From Lady smith.
budget Of news from Ladysmith which
arrived today brings the history of the
bcleaguered garrison up TO November 20.
In spite OF the rumors OF retrograde
movement upon the part of the Beers, the
stories Just received show that the garri-
son, although stin strong, was suffering