Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1899-12-09
THE AFRICAN WAR.
The Beers Closing In on Ladysmith
and Cannonading the Town.
THE BRITISH SORTIE At KIMBERLEY
Tho TransvAai usverhsnsnt stlli Refuses 10
Acknowledge the Right OF tho United
states TO Interfere Rsgardine
Prisoners In Pretoria.

London, Dec. 7.-Again there Ia .
complete lull In the war news. Lady
smith has established photographic COM
munications with Frere and II Is re-
ported that all was well up to Sunday.
A dispatch from the Boer laager, by
way of Lourenzo Marques, dated
Thursday, November 30, confirms the
report that the commands have been
closing In upon Ladysmith and mount.
ing big guns in new positions. Accord
ing to the same advices a heavy can
nonade had been maintained and a
general assault had been ordered for
Thursday morning, but was counter
manded ut the last moment.
Modder river dispatches say that the
Beers are encamped amid the hills half
way to Kimberley; but 1t Is also as
serted that large body Of the enemy
has gone in the direction Of Jacobs
dale. 1t is possible, therefore, that
Lord Methuen may endeavor to clear
his right flank as far rs Jacobsdale
before continuing his advance. He Is
still waiting at Modder river for stores,
guns and ammunition.
The sortie from Kimberley on No
vember IS appears to have been much
more serious than had been supposed.
Details are now arriving of recon.
noissance in force by mounted troops
under Maj. Scott-Turner, at dawn, in
the direction of Il ridge near Carter's
farm, where the Beers were strongly
entrenchcd. Finding the Boer pickets
asleep, Maj Scott-Turner proceeded
along the ridge under cover and rushed
the Boer redoubts ut G:25 n. m, in the
face OF hail OF bullets. The Beers
hoistcd n white flag and fired at the
British under its protection before sur
rendering. Owing possibly to the ex-
haustion of their ammunition, the
British were unable to follow up the
attack and to seize large Boer lager
about 800 yards ahead, especially as
Boer achievements were seen ap-
preaching and the enemy was keeping
up heavy fire from the shelter of the
thick brush.
During the sortie an armored train
reconnoitered north and south, while
n considerable force of British, with
field guns and Maxims, advanced to-
ward Spytsfontein, holding the Beers
in check in that direction. Ten guns
were engaged simultaneously. and,
viewed from the coming tower, an ar
tillery duel seemed proceeding in every
direction, except toward Kenilworth,
the fusillade being terrific. At eight
o'clock, having no force sufficient to
hold the position he had stormed, Col.
Scott-Turner began gradually retiring
his men. He had horse shot under
him and bullet went through the
neshy part of his shoulder. 1t is al
legged that the Beers used Martins and
explosive bullets and that they fire.
quently fired ut the British ambulance
wagons. The British captured % Of
the enemy.
It is reported from Cape Town that
the Transvaal government still refuses
to acknowledge the right OF the United
States to interfere regarding prisoners
in Pretoria insisting that Great Brit
ain must inquire through Commandant
General Joubert.
A dispatch from Frere camp. dated
December 8, says: "The Beers are FIR
ing into Ladysmith. 1t is rumored
that 5000 Free State troops have left
Ladysmith, entertaining the gravest
fears as TO the safety of their own
country"