Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-30
the health and spirits Of the garrison
are very satisfactory.
EXTRAORDINARY STATEMENT.


The text of Colonel Baden Powelrs
proclamation to the burghers, besieging
Mafeking. the gist of which has al
ready been cabled, comes from Lorenzo
Marques to-day. After asserting that
the reports cannot hope for foreign in
reference. and pretending to relate the
exact attitude of all the European pow
ers, including Emperor William, who,
the Colonel said. fully sympathizes
with England" Baden Powell makes
the extraordinary statement that 1.-THE
American Government has warned the
others OF her intention to side with
England should any of them interfere"
BRITISH RETAINED FORT.
Pretoria. Tuesday, Dec 20, by way
OF Lourenzo Marques, Thursday, De-
cember 2S.-Commandant Snyman re-
ports as follows from Molope:
"On Monday morning the enemy from
.MafeKinS attacked one of our forts In
force, With cannon, MaXims and an ar
mored train, and so persistcntly that
there was fighting right on the walls
ofrthc fort. But we have retained our
Tort. The British loss is reported as
S."
The other commanders report "All
quiet" with the exception OF the usual
bombardment of Ladysmith.,
General Lucas Meyer has recovered
and returned to the front
OFFER OF REINFORCEMENT
Ottawa, Ont, Dec. 29-CoIonel Hutch
inson. Of Nashville, Tenn, has offered
the militia department to send 200
horsemen, with himself in command,
with the second consideration contin-
gent, for South Africa. 1t is not likely
that the offer can be accepted, as there
are more men volunteering in Canada
than can be accommodated.
BOER FIRE DAMAGING.
Ladysmith. Sunday, Dec. "a, Win
maritsburg.-Gencral White has
had slight attack Of fever, but he is
now convalesccnt.
The Boer shell fire has been very
damaging recently. On Friday one
shell killed six men and wounded one
The same missile killed fourteen horses.
Another just missed the Fifth Lancers'
lines, slightly woundnE 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 conf
dent, but they are very rcticent. Beers
have been observed moving northward
and westward in large numbers.
A HILL CAPTURED.
London, Dec. aO.-The Times pub
fishes the following dispatch from
Cbieveley Camp. dated December "a:
Parties of Beers approaches to-day
within three miles OF Chieveley Camp,
threatening our watering parties. who
are compelled to go some two miles,
owing to the scarcity of water
ut is reported that the Ladysmith
garrison made n sorte on Thursday and
captured n hill"
KAFFIR POSITION TAKEN.
Pretoria, Tuesday, Dec. &c. by way
OF Lorenzo Marques, Tuesday, Dec. 2S.-
Commandant Swart reports from the
baager at Alowyn's Kop, near Zorust,
mat he had an engagement on Fri
day, December %, with Kaffirs, in the
neighborhood of Derdorpoort. The
kaffirs occupied 4 strongly fortified
ridge, and were we'll prepared for
emergencies.
After heavy fighting the burghers
captured the 1ianir position, losing
three killed and five wounded
IMPORTANT MOVEMENT IMMI-
NENT.
London, Dec. 30.-5 a. m.-The latest
speclal dispatches from Chieveley Camp
mint darky at some important move
ment as imminent. This is interpreted
with some misgivlngs, to mean that
General Butler contemplates u. renewal
OF his attempt to relieve Ladysmith.
1t Is reported by the same dispatches
that the Beers have now retired to the
north bank Of the Tugela, being afraid
that the swollen river may bar their
retreat. They are also moving their
laagers nearer Ladysmth. probably
with the intention of putting further
pressure on the garrison. which now
seems to be suffering pretty heavily
from the bombardment. 1t is difficult,
however. TO conceive that General Bull
Ter would make another front attack,
especially now that the river is rising,
and an additional indication that this
is not his purpose is the fact that he
has removed his headquarters back to
Frere.
The Boer movement northward from
the Tugela. is quite in keeping with
the cnemy's usual plan of securing a
artillery is due to arrive. for General
Butler, but the belief here is that his
force even then would be too weak. lie
may, however, animated by a desire to
accomplish something before the ar
rival Of Lord Roberts and to satisfy tho
keenness of his men to retrieve their
defeat.
The reported engagement with ISafirs
is very vague and cannot be explained,
pending the arrival of later dispatches.
Another Big Savannah Fire.
(By Telegraph to Virginian-Pilot)