The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1899-12-13

London. Dec. S.-While nothing in the
latest messages from the British camp at
the Modder river Indicated an immediate
advance. it appears that Pretoria has
news that fighting was resumed Wednes-
day. 1t is not shown, however, whether
Gen. Methuen has advanced on the new
position taken up by the Beers or has
merely engaged in reconnaissance In
force. Reports were again current at Or
ange river Tuesday, December 3. that
Matching has been relieved 1t is known
through dispatches from Magaiapye that
preparations were completed there to adj
vance in force November 10 from Rhode
STA. for the purpose of repairing the rail-
road line and restoring communication
with Col. BadenPowell. The Beers,
however, were strongly entrenched near
Gaberones, midway between Magalapye
and Mafeking.
Gatacre Reinforced.
Reinforcements are rapidly arriving at
Sterkstroom, to strengthen Gen. Gatacre,
including the much-needed artillery. The
authorities expect speedy news that Gen.
Gatacre has taken the offensive, thus di
verting a portion of the Orange Free
State forces now obstructing the advance
Of Gen. Methuen.
A detachment of Cape police had a
skirmish with the Beers Thursday, De
cember {. near Indwe, while Gen. French
reports important reconnOiterings on
Wednesday, December 8. from Naauw-
poort, showing preparations to attempt
the recapture of some of the British
towns occupied by the burghers.
A war office dispatch from Gen. Butler
confirms the statement that photographic
communication has been fully established
with Ladysmith and that Gen. Butler
and Gen White have been comforting as
to their future movements.
Beers and Free Staters Quarrel.
New York, Dec S.-A dispatch to the
Herald from London gives the following
advices from Modder river: 1t is report
ed that serious dissensions have broken
out in the Boer' camp between the Trans
vaalers and Free Staters. Gen. Cronje
insists upon putting the Transvaal in
command of the Free State forces and
says the latter will not fight.
A trustworthy native who escaped
from the Beers states that he drove his
master, Andrew Cronje, and Head Com
mandant Vessels away in cart after
the battle of Modder river. They quar-
relied all through the journey. Vessels
severely blamed the TransyaalerS for not
coming to the assistance of the Free
Staters.
.Tacobsdahl is reported to be full of
Free Staters who are returning home be-
~~-S
lish are shooting.
Lady Wilson a Prisoner.
London, Dec. S.-The Latest advices
from Frere camp show that the bonn
bardment of Ladysmith was continued
Thursday, December Z. A pneumatic
dynamite gun on Umbilwama hill COM
menced the work.
Free Staters are reported to be loot
ing Acton Holmes OH the way back TO
the Free State border.
According to special dispatch from Pre-
toria, Gen. Joubert recently proposed an
exchange of prisoners, and especially
Sarah Wilson, for q Boer lady taken
prisoner at Mafeking.
Lady Wilson is AN aunt OF Winston
Churchill, and the wife Of Capt. G. G.
Wilson of the Royal Horse guards. This
was the first definite news that she was
a prisoner. Lady Wilson has been act
ing in tie double capacity of newspaper
correspondent and Red Cross nurse, and
there had been much anxiety about her.
When last heard from. Lady Wilson had
left Mafeking OH horseback with her
maid as her sole companion. She was
reported to have reached Setlagoli.
Macrum Coming Home.
Washington, d. c.. Dee. S.-Mr Ma
crum has broken his long silence and in
cable message received at the. state
department today dated Pretoria. he an
nounces that he will sail on the 18th
inst, via Naples, for the United States.
This is an indication that he has re-
ceived the departments cablegram
granting his application for leave of alb
sence. Adelbert Hay. who is going to
Pretoria to replace Mr. Macrum, will
leave Washington tomorrow.
Boer Supplies Intercepted.
A special dispatch from Cape Town an
nounces that the British gunboat Part
ridge has captured the British steamer
Mashona, Capt. tombstone. which left
New York November 3, via st. Vincent,
November 10, for Algoa bay, laden with
-four for the Transvaal. The cargo will
be landed at Cape town and the ship re-
leased.