Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-08
Indications That the Beers Have Him
Well Surrounded.
LINES CUT IN REAR
News Of Heavy Firing Reported
From Orange River.
FIGHT BEGAN WEDNESDAY

LONDON, December 8. 6:52 p.m.-The
war office has just issued the following:
mo further news has arrived from Gen
Methuen today, but the following has been
received from Orange River station:
A railroad culvert was blown up near
Gras Pan this morning. The telegraph was
also cut. The guides report heavy firing
to the north
The foregoing implies that the Beers
have cut the line of communication behind
Gen. Methuen, who apparently is now
fighting.
PRETORIA, Wednesday, December g.
Fighting commenced near Modder river at
6 o'clock this morning.
Reports were again current at Orange
river Tuesday, December ), that Mafeking
has been relieved. 1t is known through
dispatches from Magalapye that prepara-
tions were completed there to advance in
force, November 15 from Rhodesia, for the
purpose of repairing the railroad line and
restoring communication with Col Baden
Powell. The Beers, however were strong
ly intrenched near Gaberones. midway be-
tween Magalapye and Mafeking.
Reinforcement Mt Sterkstroom.
Reinforcements are rapidly arriving at
Sterkstroom, to strengthen General Gata-
ere, including the much needed artillery
The authorities expect speedy news that
General Gatacre has taken the offensive
thus dfverting a portion of the Orange
Free State forces now obstructing the ad-
vance of General Methuen.
A detachment Of Cape police had a
skirmish with the Beers Thursday, Decem.
reports important reconnoiterings Wednes-
day, December q, from Naauwpoort show
ing 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 heliograp phic
communication has been fully established
with Ladysmith and that Gen. Butler and
Gen. White have been conferring as to
their future movements.
Ihe latest advices from Frere camp show
that the bombardment of Ladysmitf was
continued Thursday, December I. pneu-
matlc dynamite gun on Cmbuwana hill
commence ed the work.
The Tugela river is low.
Free Staters Lootins.
Free Staters reported to be looting
Acton Holmes, on the way back to the
Free State border
According to a special dispatch from Pre-
torfa, Gen. Joubert recently proposed an
exchange of prisoners, especially Lady
Sarah Wilson for Boer lady, taken pris-
oner at Mafeking. Lady Wilson is an aunt
of Winston Churchill and the wife Of Capt
G. C. Wilson of the Royal Horse Guards
This was the first definite news that she
was a prisoner. Lady Wilson had been
acting in the 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 on horseback, with her maid
as her sole companion. She was reported
to have reached SetlagoH.
The cabinet held a two hours session to-
day. Lord Salisbury had recovered his
health sufficiently to preside.
A special dispatch from Cape Town an
nounces that the British gunboat Partridge
mas captured the British steamer Mashona,
Capt. Johnstone, which left New York No
vember 3, via st. Vincent, November 16,
for Algoa Bay, laden with -four for the
Transvaal The cargo will be landed at
Cape Town and the ship released