Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-12-08

AOANOOANt OCNSIIUCI Tue wal III
flee here has received the following
message from Gen. Forestier-Walker
the British commander at Cape Town,
under date of Wednesday, December s:
"Gen. Methuen wires to-day that he has
resumed command and is nightly in
communication with Kimberley. The
health of the troops is excellent"
A story was current at Durham on
December 5 to the effect that the Beers
made what is thought to have been
their final effort to capture Ladysmith
December 4, and were defeated and re-
treated. As the story was brought
by runners it should be received with
reservation, as the unreliability Of these
"Kaffirgrams" is notorious. According
to this report the Beers opened a furi-
Gus bombardment during the morning
Of December 4, continuing it for hours,
when the British finally silenced the
Boer guns, made a sortie, hard fight
ing following, the Beers retreating af-
ter very heavy losses. estimated in
hundreds.
The dispatches from Frere camp par
TALLY confirm a retirement of Free
State burghers from the vicinity OF
Ladysmith, but do not indicate that the
retreat was the result of a defeat on
the previous day, while the statement
in the same dispatch that the Beers
were firing into Ladysmith shows the
Boer guns were still active. 1t is also
pointed out that all suggestions OF
weakening refer to the Free Staters.
Apparently the T%ransvaal Beers are
still full OF fight, though it is reiterated
that they are short of supplies.
According to a dispatch from Gen.
Schalkburger's laager, dated December 3,
the french and Austrian military attaches
had arrived there, while the German at
taches had gone to join the Boer forces
along the Tugelai river, where a collision
was momentarily expected.
Perhaps an explanation Of the retire
ment Of burghers from Natal can be found
in a dispatch from Modder river, Deem
Der 8. saying that a strong Boer force, es-
timated to number $3.50 men, was rein
forcing Gen Cronje from Natal. The same
dispatch a y everything points to the fact
that a great engagement will be fought
at Spyfontein. The Beers are massing on
the hills there, are vigorously building
stone fences and are digging rifle pits in
every direction. The Boer redoubts on Laz-
arctic ridge, west of Kimberley, are also
being extended and strengthened, showing
hat the rumors Of the intentions Of the
Beers to abandon the attempt to stem Gen.
Methuen's advance are u~nfounded.
An official account of the sortie at KIM
berley, November Is, when the British
casualties. as cabled yesterday, occurred,
says: TIL British demonstrated toward
Wimbledon rife range. The enemy's guns
were posiioned from the ridge at Spitz-
kop to Wimbledon Siding. Maj. Scott
Turner, with the mounted troops. attacked
the enen1y's right flank capturing a
lager and three redoubis. The enemy In
a fourth redoubt made a stubborn resist
ance when Maj. Scott-Turner was killed.
The British captured many shells and de-
stroyed other stores"
The same dispatch gives reports from
Col. kekewichs. dated December Q and 4,
showing the Beers were increasing in num-
berz around Kimberley.
The Boer advance in the northeastern
part Of Cape Colony is becoming remark
able. The local farmers are focking to the
Boer iaagers. the t~ownspeople in many in
stances, welcoming the invaders with ey-
cry demonstration Of JOY. The annexation
Of British territory proceeds daily The re-
ported Boer successes have made a great
impression among the Basutos.
The war office has been notified that the
British had five Killed and . wounded in
the sortie from Kimberley, November q.
including three colonial officers.
Special dispatches from Lorenzo Mar
ques, dated December s. say President
Krugur is only prevented from going TO
the front by me objections Of the mem
hers Of the executive council. Mrs. Kru-
ger, 1t Is added, Is IL
A rurnor on the stock exchange here to-
day hat the garrison at Ladysrnita had
been relieved aided the markets and caused
bidding for South African securities.
The announcement Is made in a special
dispatch from Bloemfonreln, dated Sunday,
December 3, that President Steyn, or the
Orange Free State. has joined the Boer
forces OF the Modder river. His appear
ence, the dispatch says, caused great en-
thussasm among the Beers
It il reported from Orange river to-day
that 1e7 dead Beers we're taken 70 Katlrs-
kop after The battle * Belmont