The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-12-30
Reported That Joubert is Again in
Command at Ladysmith,
CLOSE TO CHlEyELEY CAMP.
Parties Of Boers Approach Within
Three Miles of These and Threaten
English Watering Parties Who
Have To Go Some Distance
Owing 60 the Scarcity
Of water.

LADYsAnTH. Sunday. Dee 2L-Via
Pietermaritzburg-Ceneral White has had
a slight attack Of fever but he Is now
conyalesccnt.
The Boers' shell fire has been damaging
recently. on Friday one shell killed six
men and wounded one The same missile
killed IA horses. Another just missed the
Fifth Lancers' lines. slightly woundlng six
officers. Several shells have fallen close
to General Whites house compelling the
removal of headquarters to another point
1t is reported that General Joubert IS
again in command OF the Beers here.
The military authorities appear conii-
dent. but they are very reticont.
Beers have been observed moving north
ward and westward i'm large numbers
LONDON. Dec. 30-1'hc Times publishes
the following dispatch from Chioveley
Camp. dated December "a
Parties of Beers approached to-day
within three miles Of Chievelcy Camp,
threatening our watering parties who are
compelled to 20 some Two miles owing
20 the scarcity of water.
"It is reported that tho Ladysmith gar
rison made a sortie on Thursday and cap
tured hill"
FU.GHT KAFFIRs.
PRETORIA. Tuesday. Dec. 26.-By way
oil Lorenzo Marquee Thursday Dec. d
Commaudant Swaft reports from the
Lager at Alowyns Kop. near Zorust. that
Dc had an engagement on Friday. Decem-
bcr 22d. with Kaftrs in the neighborhood
of Derdorp0ort The Kafirs occupied a
strongly fortified ridge and were well pre-
pared for emergencies.
After heavy fighting the Burghers cap
tured the kahirs position. losing three
ki led and five wounded.
PRETORIA. Tuesday. Dec. 26.--By way
O. Lorenzo Marques Thursday, Dec. ~
Commandant Synman reports a. follows
from Molopo:
"On Monday morning The enemy from
Mafeking attacked one OF our forts iu
force with cannon. MlNims ana an armor-
e,l train and - persistenty that there was
lighting right on The walls OF the fort.
Rut we have retained our fort. The Brit
lsh loss is reported as iNy-hvc.'
The other commanders report "ail quiet
with the exception Of The usual bonhard-
mcnt of Ladysmith.
General Lucas Myor has recovered and
returned to the front.
3 r. y
patch from Craddock reports heavy firing
in the direction Of Stormsberg 1t is sup
posed this IS connected with General
Gatacre's attempt 20 reopen communica-
tom with the indwe colliers.
LONDON. Dee 29-The War Ofiice has
received the following dispatch:
cape Town. Thursd 81. Dec. A--Ihe
Indwe colliery line s. now working again
LOST ONE HORSE.
KIMBERLEY. Friday, Dec. WA
Modder River. Wednesday. Dec 2L-Be-
lore dawn to-day a detachment Of the
mounted forces with artillery and lighi
Infantry moved out in a westerly direction
Boer artillery from kampredam opened
hie at Ouos KCpje. Kimberley fort reply
ing with twenty shells.
Tbe British force reCOnnOtorcd outposia
along Lazaretto ridge the Boer patrols
rctreatins.
Having accomplished this and having
discovered Boer reinforcements approach
ing from Wimbledon ridge, Coione.
Chamier with the Royal Artillery eN-
changed "a dozen shells as soon as the
guns could be limberel up. some hundie-
Beers poured in q heavy Gre from their
earihworks. the British finally retiring
With tie Joss OF one hOrsc.
The movement showed that the Beers
were still keeping heir gums in the ricin-
uy Of Kimberley ana are able 10 summon
rsinforcOmCnts rapidly. IL also showed
their pr0Ueness 10 VaCate a position inn
mediate.y. when weaker than the oppos-
ing force.
MOUNT ANOTHER GUN.
PIETERMABlTZBUk re. Wednesday.
pocemter "A despatch from Eady-
smith. dated December 22nd says:
The Tocrs have mounted another
howitzer on Surprise Hill, replacing the
gun captured in the sorde OF the rife
bIiga9~
While they watch Us nightly with a
searchiight. ana lombard the place daily.
Trey SHOW no signs Of assauiiins the
town. They probably think they can
starve us out. but we have plenty OF
provisions.
The total cauualties since the seige be-
gan are seventy men killed and 256 wound
ed
PRETORIA. December 25.-Monday-
General Schalk-Burser reports under date
Of December 2ird, that trains are now
running TO Colenzo. indicating that the
Beers have built a connection around
Ladysmi,h.
General Comic reports from the Modder
river. Decehmter 2iih that the Eoers cap
tured two British forts at Karuman Dec.
rh II is rumored hat General Methuen's
1ir naval gun hos EXPLODED.
The Transvaal Government has prOmul
gated a new gold tax law b. which IN
dividuals and companies working theii
own mines are taxed % per cent. Of the
output. while mines worked by the gov
eulmenl will pay 20 per cent. Suspend
ed mines will pay 80 per cent. on thel'
probable output calculated on three
months workings. Reducing works VIII
pay % per cent Of their net profits. The
law IS retroactive To October nth.
ASTOR SUBSCRTBEs
LONDON, Dee Civilian Waldorf
Astor has subscribed elco0 TO the Buck
inghamshire funG TO equip the Counts
contingent of yeomanry
LONDON. Dec. 9-Lord Salisbury pre-
sided at a meeting OF the National Defence
Committee TO-DAY
BERLIN. Dec. 2s-Tte Neusten Mach
ten questions the right OF Great Britain
10 conhscate gold ingots which arc he
ing transported from the Transyaal TO
Europe. II SAYS II regards the discuss
sion in the English press concerning Del