Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-12-28
HEAVY FIRING AT
MACERSFCNTEIA
Gen. Methuen Establishes a Market
and Trades with Farmers.
ARREST OF GERMANS MADE
Capture of Deserter-- speeuiations
on the British Campaign Lady,
smith aud Kimberley supplies

London. Dec. 2S.-The war office has
received the following from Capetown
dated Wednesday, Dec. 9th:
'Methuen reports as follows:
"'At $3.50 yesterday evening the Beers
on the south side OF Magersionteln
opened very heavy fire for some time,
This morning the naval brigade fired
at the enemy at the west part Of Mag.
ersfontein. The cavalry brigade is re-
connoitering in northeasterly direc-
ton.
Lieut.. Masters has made an ex-
tended reconnaissance westward and
northward Of Enstein and reports all
well.
The farmers were glad to see our
men. They were suffering from want
Of food.
- have established a market here
where l can purchase fresh milk and
vegetables. selling TO the farmers tea
and other articles which they cannot
otherwise purchase.
Heavy rain fell last night
'Gatacre and French report no
change In the situation.
.Badep-powell reports yp well, Dec.
Durham, Natal, Wednesday, Dec. q.
Harry Escombe, former premier Of
Natal. died suddenly ON the street this
afternoon.
The Right Hon. Harry Escombe was
born at Nottinghall London, England,
In 1858. he e tered the leg .slative coun-
ell OF Natal in 1872. was created attorney
general in 1898, and later became prime
minister OF the colony. He was the
commander Of the Natal naval volun-
teers, with the relative rank Of Lieut..
Col in the volunteer force.
Durpan Natal, Wednesday, Dec. q.
"A German farmer named Stucke and
the Rev. Mr.. Hartes, director Of the
banoverian Missions In Natal, have
been arrested at Estcourt, on the charge
Of aiding the Beers. They both claim
the protection Of Germany.
Capetown, Dec. 2S.-Col. Otter, COM
handing the Canadian contingent Of
troops, Is to join the stan Of Gen Bull
Ter. all the members OF which are pro-
ceedlng to Natal, indicating that Gen.
Buffers sphere will shortly be con-
fined to Natal.
a man named Green, a former SER
geant major Of the British balloon de-
partment, is among the Boer prisoners
captured at Magersfonteln. Green,
who deserted from Aldarshot In 1899, ad-
mitted that he had been for some time
In the service Of the Beers and had in
structed them in intrenchlng He says
there were $4,000 Beers at Magersfon-
TEN. $1,000 Of whom were engaged the
day OF the battle. The Boer losses,
he asserts, were heavy, the trenches
being fun Of dead. Green further de-
clares that IL the attack had been
pressed the Beers would have yielded.
He says the Boer horses have to be
taken TO the Modder river, as water
Is 50 scarce at Magersfontein.
London, Dec. 2s-In view OF the APP
parent supineness Of the British COM
manders in preventing the daily
strengthening and extending OF the
Boer positions along the Tugela and
Modder rivers. many experts are COM
ing to the conclusion that the British
have given up the idea OF carrying
these positions by assault, and viii
await the transport with cavalry re-
qulred 10 give their forces the neces-
sary mobility, when they hope to be In
a position TO besiege the Beers In their
respective plevnas, while Gen. Roberts
carries out the original plan Of cam
paign, that OF advancing straight north
on Bloemfontein. the other generals
detachlng sufficient mobile troops TO
reach their goal by clrcuitous routes.
There is nothing in the official or best
independent reports TO Indicate that the
beleaguered garrlsons are In any special
straits calling for immediate relief. The
latest advices from Kimberley where
shortage is most feared. report plenty Of
food
An interesting feature OF today's news
Is the patriotic offers OF service from
Indian princess. The Zizan OF HYDRA
had, replying 10 a toast proposed by
Lord Curzon. the viceroy. at a banquet
in Calcutta, last evening said the
proudest title he possessed was that Of
being the queens faithful ally, adding
that his purse, his army and his sword
were ever at her disposal.
The Maharajah Of Gwalior has asked
permission 10 serve on General Roberts
stan and has offered to send troops,
horses and transport 10 South Africa.
The government OF France has ap.
pointed Capt. Demange military at.
tache at the Boer headquarters.
Many Cretans In Athens are Offering
their services TO the British consul for
service In South Africa.
The latest Independent news from
Ladysmith says:
"Tbe field Notifications would now
Withstand any organized attack the
enemy Is likely to deliver. There are
sufficient food stuffs for two months.
The question OF forage might be trou.
blesome. but since the rains there has
been some grazing within the lines.
There If no horse sickness
ssrrbo oasatalffo. can.oa -. 49, .Aoft