Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-09
WIRES CUT BY BOERS
Line Of Communication Behind General
Methuen Is Broken.
CULVERT BLOWN UP NEAR GRAS PAN
Guides from Orange River Station Report
Heavy Firing.
FIGHTING ON MODDER RIVER AGAIN
Nothing in the Reports to Indioats Impor-
tanCs Of the Engagement,
FIGHTING ON MoDDER RIVER AGAIN
REVIVE RUMoRS OF RELIEF OF MAFtNNG
Reinforcements Sent Forward I"
General Gntncrc-Hopc He VIII
he Able to Divert Part
of Bocr Forces.

Copyright 1899 by Press Publishing COD
LONDON, Dec. S.--(New York World Ca
blegram-Special Telegram Post mil
itary expert says: Lord Methuens lines OF
communication have been cut and restored.
A telegram to the war office says that merely
the railway culvert has been blown up.
1t is possible to do great deal of damage
with very little dynamite. The Beers have
shown throughout the compaign procrastina-
tion. Their most telling efforts hitherto
have been always day late. II they had
cut the line before General Methuen re-
celved his reinforcements and while he still
had the wounded on his hands the situation
would have been far from a pleasant one
No news of any Importance has reached us
from the front for twelve days and one must
not be tempted to build fresh conjectures
on the guesswork of the past. The entire
border between the Griguaands is in most
unfortunate condition and big defeat Of the
Boer forces in front Of Kimberley or Lady
smith is badly needed.
Heavy Firing at Lndysmith.
Copyright, 1899, by Press Publishing Coo
BRITISH CAMP AT FREERE NATAL,
HEADQUARTERS OF GENERAL HID
YARD, Dec. THEW York World Cable
gram-Special Telegram. THE natives from
tho region of Ladysmith report that many
women, dissatisfied with official reports Of
the killed and wounded, have arrived at the
Boer camps and insisted on seeing their hus-
bands, sons and other relatives. This may
account for the rumored dlssensons among
the Beers.
There was heavy firing at Ladysmith early
this morning patrol OF Natal carbiniers
with provost marshal has just captured
four noted Dutch farmers named Osthusen
in their DOSgeSsiOn much looted
furniture The patrol was fired on by six
Beers whose horses they captured and shot
but the Beers disappeared in a donga (cut)
and were lost. The British troops in camp
here are we'll, but the heat is intense.
ROBERT STUART.
Fighting mt Modder River.
PRETORIA, Wednesday, Dec. 6.-Fight-
ing commenced near Modder river at b
o'clock this morning.
LONDON, Dec. S.-6:52 p. m.-The war
Office has just issued the following:
No further news has arrived from Gen.
eral Methuen today, but this dispatch has
been received from Orange River station.
"A railroad culvert was blown up near
Graz Pan this morning. The telegraph was
also cut. The guides report heavy firing oi
guns toward the north"
Tho foregoing implies that the Beers have
eral Methuen, who apparently is now fight
ing.
Rumors of Relief Of MnfekinG.
LONDON, Dec. S,-While nothing in the
latest messages from the British camp at
the Modder river indicated an immediate
advance, it appears that Pretoria has news
that fighting was resumed Wednesday, 1t
is not shown however whether General
Methuen has advanced on the new position
taken up by the Beers or has merely en-
gagged in a reconnaissance in force. Reports
were again current at Orange river Tues
dag December 5, that Mafeking has been
relieved. 1t is known through dispatches
from Magalapye that preparations we're com
pleted there to advance in force November
10 from Rhodesia for the purpose OF re-
pairing the railroad line and restoring com
munication with Colonel Baden-Powel The
Beers, however, were strongly entrenched
near Gaberones, midway between Magalapye
and Mafeking
Reinforcements are rapidly arriving al
Sterkstroom to strengthen General Gatacre
including the much needed artillery. Tht
authorities expect speedy news that Gen
eral Gatacre has taken the offensive, thu
diverting portion of the Orange Free State
forces now obstructng the advance of Gen
era Methusn