Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-12-25
CHRISTMAS TRUCE /.
Being Observed by the British
and Boer Forces.
Dispatch from Modder River Says:
"Send Us 100000 Men,"
Or, ledys Asserts Beers Have Plenty Of Arms
and Ammunition.

London. Dec. 25.-4.30 A. M.-The war
office has received a cablegram from
Gen. Forester Walker, dated at cape
Town, yesterday, saying: Have no
further news of the general situation.
1t may almost safely predicted that
nothing will occur, today.
A truce either formal or informal, is
being kept for the observance OF
Christmas by tho opposing forces.
The Duke of Connaught again press
ed TO pe allowed to go to the front, but
the government declined to give its as
sent. Then, waving considerations OF
rank. he offered his services TO Lord
Roberts in any capacity as a staff OH
Ger. Lord Roberts consented. but the
government again declined.
The Morning Posts correspondent at
ChieyeIey, telegraphing, Monday, Dec.
ls. and confirming intelligence already
cabled, says:
AT dawn, today, the column struck
camp and formed a new one, three
miles to the south owing to the scarcity
OF water" A dispatch from Modder
River. dated Dec. IS. says: The Beers
continue extending their trenches.
They now have nearly 20 miles Of en-
trenched works due north of the Brit
ish camp, which also is an admirable
position for the defence. as the sur
rounding country is perfectly level.
The Beers, moreover, are compelled to
keep a force estimated at 10000 in or
der to contain the British column.
large number of Lord Methuen's
wounded have recovered and are ready
to resume their places in the ranks.
News from
Modder River dated Dec. is, says:
We are now waiting until England
shall have realized the actual facts.
It has been admitted that, man to man,
we have found ourselves pretty we'll
matched: but the Boer has always the
choice of positions.
Let England then become alive to
the need for further 100000 men. Such
a force will prove the truest economy
in botn blood and treasure.
Among minor news items it is an
nOunced that Col. Mackinnon has been
appointed to command the city of Lon
don Imperial Volunteers. The 10th
Lancers have been ordered to proceed
from Bombay to the Cape to meet the
pressing need Of cavalry. The Cana
dian Colonel Russiard has been APP
pointed to Gen. Frenchs staff.
1t is rumored that the Free State is
about to move the seat Of government
from Bloemfontein to Windburg, the
former being indefensihle.
DR.. Leyds, who has again been in
terviewed. asserts that the Beers have
ample arms and ammunition, declaring
that they have Mausers enough to give
each burgher two and an equal num-
Der of Martini-Henris.
The morning papers are severely
crticising the fact that Gen. Sir
Charles Warren's fifth division is be-
ing utilized to reinforce various points
instead Of being concentrated at one.
Cape Town, Monday. Dec. 1S.-Gen.
Gatacre, in order to check insurrection
among the Dutch colonists and to pre-
vent disaffected persons giving infor
nation or other assistance to tn"
Beers, has issued a modified reconCen-
trado order. BY its terms all males
over u years of age, of whatever
nationality, residing outside Of towns
or villages but within Il radius of II
miles of military camps now estab
lished or hereafter to he established
north of SterkstroOm, are required i'm
mediately TO vacate their places OF res
idence and either to remove to some
place outside of the 12-mile radius or
to form a camp in close proximity to
the nearest military camp-the spot to
be selected by the officer commanding
where they must reside until further
notice. providing for their own needs.
All persons found within the radius
without passes will be arrested.
Advices from Colesberg assert that
not many colonial Dutch have joined
the Beers in that district.
Certain residents Of Malmesbury cele-
brated Gen. Gatacres repulse at
Stormberg by a dinner.