The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-13
MAFEKING STILL SAFE.
Rations, However, Were Growing
short at Last Accounts.

LONDON, Dec. 13, 4:45 a. m.-With the
exception of Sundays sortie at Ladysmith.
which the morning papers are unanimous
in regarding as brilliant piece of work.
there are no further advices from the seat
OF war. -''< ~''''
A War once dispatch reports that Mafe-
king was safe up to Dec. 4, but that the
Beers had been shelling town since
Nov q with Increased effect. Rations had
been considerably reduced. meat by half
pound and bread by quarter of a pound, in
view Of a PROBABLE long siege. Water, how
ever, was still plentiful
A special dispatch from Lourenzo
Marques says Boer telegram from Mafe-
king announces that Lady Sarah Wilson,
aunt of the Duke OF Marlborough, who was
captured by the Beers while acting as
correspondent for the London Daily Mail.
has been exchanged for Boer woman who
was prisoner at Mafeking.
Ihe Beers fear the British bayonets. This
Is illustrated In the full accounts now ar
riving of previous sorties. 1t seems that
In Sir Archibald Hunters sally from Lady
smith to capture the Boer guns the British
did not carry bayonets. While they were
storming the hill the Beers, suddenly
aroused from sleep. rushed to the edge and
opened an inuiscriminate fire upon them.
But just before the British secured a foot
ing on the top OF the hill some one among
them shouted. Fix bayonets and give
them cold steel" At this the Beers turned
and fed into the darkness.
Little mention is made in the War Office
dispatches OF horses, but it is understood
that the losses in this respect have been
exceedingly heavy. Among the officers
alone from 20 to so per cent. of their mounts
have been shot under them. the Boer tao
tics being to shoot first at an officer horse
and then at the rider when dismounted.
General Gatacre's disaster at Stormberg
has been credited to lack of knowledge Of
the country. According to the Daily Tele-
graph, when the war began there were no
Official maps available at Cape Town. and.
therefore, 1t is probable that General Cat
acre is still without them.
There is no confirmation of the report of
another day-long battle along the Modder
river on Monday, but possibly there has
been resumption of fighting. as reported
by General Cronje last evening, as the
searching lyddite shell fire of Sunday was
probably preliminary to an advance.
A strange item OF news has reached here
from Boer sources, announcing that the
Waschbank bridge is damaged. This is
taken In some quarters as a possible con-
hrmation Of the suggestion that the British
have made wide sweep by way of Help
makaar and are preparing TO attack the
Beers north Of Ladysmith in the rear
A message from Naauwpoort dated Mon
day, Dec IL, shows that General French
has apparently no inclination TO withdraw
his advanced troops at Arundel. as it was
feared might be the result of General Cat
acres defeat. General French reports that
his artillery on Dec. IL forced an advance
post OF the Beers south Of Colesburg to
evacuate its position and seek refuge be-
hind Vaalkop.
There is great indignation in Great Brit
ain at the Importance the British intelli-
gence department Is displaying in esti-
mating the Boer strength in Cape Colony
Experts aver that fifteen thousand Beers
will have TO be driven out of the colony
before the passage of the Orange river can
be commenced.
The Rhodesian force. advancing to the
relief of Mafeking. reached Gaberones fort
on Dec. 2. and found the Beers had evacu-
ated the place. The Rhodesians are repair
Ing the railroad as they advance.
The Times. while praising Colonel Met
caife's brilliant feat at Ladysmith, ex-
presses the opinion that relief being now
90 near, such sortie was rather perilous.
and II would be better for General White
TO avoid them so far as possible.
The Morning Post again endeavors edi-
toriaiiy 70 arouse the British people to a
gecognition Of the Serious nature OF the