Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-12-29
POINTS FROM AFRICA
The Transvaal Government Puts a
Heavy War Tax On the Gold
Mines.
BRITISH TROOPS CHEERFUL
The Report Again Put Out That the Free
Staters Are Tired Of Fighting and
the Dutch Farmers Not Like
ly to Rise.


dispatch from Ladysmith, dated De-
cember %, says the Beers mounted an
other howitzer ON Surprise hill, replac-
ing the gun captured in a sortie by the
rifle brigade. While they watch us
nightly with a searchlight and lombard
the place daily, they show no signs OF
assaulting the town. They probably
think they can starve us out, but we
have plenty of provisions. The total
casualties since the siege began are 70
men killed and 276 wounded
London, December 29.-The text of
Colonel Baden Powell's proclamation to
the burghers besieging Mafeking, the
gist of which has already been cabled,
comes from Lorenzo Marques to-day.
After asserting that the republics can
not hope for foreign intervention, and
pretending to relate the exact attitude
Of all European powers, including En-
peror William, who, the colonel said,
fully sympathizes with England" Ba-
DEM Powell makes the extraordinary
statement that the American govern
ment warned others of her intention to
side with England should any of them
interfere"
Pretoria, December 25-Gen. Schalk-
burger reports under date of December
% that trains are now running to Co.
lenso, Indicating that the Beers have
built connection around Ladysmith.
General Cronje reports from Modder
river December "a that the Beers cap
tured two British forts ait Kursman De-
cember 81. 1t Is rumored that General
Methuen's big naval gun has exploded.
The Transvaal government has pro-
mulgated a new gold tax law, by which
individuals and companies working
their own mines are taxed 80 per cent
of the output, while the mines worked
by the government pay so per cent. The
suspended mines will pay 80 per cent on
their probable output calculated on
three months workings. Reducing
works will pay 30 per cent of their net
profits. The law is retroactiveSto Octo-
ber 10. &
Cape Town, December "a dispatch
from Cradock reports heavy firing In
the direction of Stormberg. 1t is sup
posed this is connected with General
Gatacre's attempt to reopen communi-
cation with the Indwe collieries.
London, December 29.-Sir Charles
Howard Vincent, a member of parlia-
merit for the central division of Shelf
field, and colonel of the Queens West
minister volunteers, has been appointed
to command the infantry division Of the
City of London imperial regiment.
London, December PA dispatch t.
the war office, dated Cape Town, De-
cember %, says there Is no change in
the situation so far as Generals Gatacre
and French are concerned.
London, December 29.-Dispatche;
from all parts Of South Africa empha.
size the great enthusiasm among the
troops and public occasioned by the ap'
pointments Of Generals Roberts ant
Kitchener. Announcement that the for
mer will have supreme command ant
the latter be chief Of staff largely dis
PEELED the depression in Cape Colony
caused by the recent reverses.
Advices from Cape Town, dated De
cernber "a, say investigation shows tn
reported disaffection among the Dutcl
Of the Victoria district has been over
drawn. The farmers, 1T Is pointed out
are mostly land owners, and Will no
risk the loss of their farms by rising.
A dispatch from Lorenzo Marques
dated December %, says curious stor,
Is current emanating from Boer source
that Matt Steyn, brother of the presi
dent of the Orange Free State, and 80
Free Staters definitely refused to con
tinue the war. Matt Steyn, acting a
spokesman, Is reported to have told tn
president he was only authorized to In
tervene in the interest Of peace, an
the burghers did not feel they wer
bound by his unwarrantable conduc
especially as they ran the risk of con
fiscation of their property, and the
simply desired to be permitted to farl
In peace, and proposed to immediatel
return to their farms.
London, December 2S.--The war offit
has received the following dispatch:
Cape Town, December 28.-The Ink
we colliery line is now working again