Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-12-14
THE AFRICAN WAR.
The Boers Closing in on Ladysmith
and Cannonading the Town.
The BRITISH SORTIE At KIMBERLEY
The Transvsal Government stu Refuses to
Acknowledge the Right Of the United
States to Interfere Regarding
Prisoners In Pretoria.

AOnuOn, Dec. 1.-Agaln there Is
complete lull in the war news. Lady
smith has established photographic COM
munications with Frere and it is re-
ported that all was well up to Sunday.
A dispatch from the Boer lager, by
way of Lourenzo Marques, dated
Thursday, November 80, confirms the
report that the commands have been
closing in upon Ladysmith and mount.
ing big guns in new positions. Accord
ing to the same advices a heavy can
nonade. had been maintained and a
general assault had been ordered for
Thursday morning, but was counter
manded at the last moment
Modder river dispatches say that the
Beers are encamped amid the hills half
way to Kimberley; but it is also as.
serted that large body Of the enemy
has gone in the direction of Jacobs
dale. 1t is possible, therefore, that
Lord Methuen may endeavor to clear
his right flank as far as Jacobsdale
before continuing his advance. He is
still waiting at Modder river for stores,
guns and ammunition.
The sortie from Kimberley on No
vember IS appears to have been much
more serious than had been supposed.
Details are now arriving Of recon.
noissance in force by mounted troops
under Maj. Scott-Turner, at dawn, in
the direction Of ridge near Carter's
farm, where the Beers were strongly
entrenched. Finding the Boer pickets
asleep, Maj. Scott-Turner proceeded
along the ridge under cover and rushed
the Boer redoubts at 6:25 a. M, in the
face of hail Of bullets The Beers
hoisted a white flag and fred at the
British under its protection before SUR
rendering. Owing possibly to the ex.
hausti0n of their ammunition, the
British were unable to follow up the
attack and to seize large Boer lager
about 300 yards ahead, especially as
Boer reinforcements were seen ap.
preaching and the enemy was keeping
up heavy fire from the shelter OF the
thick brush.
During the sortie an armored train
reconnoitered north and south, while
a considerable force Of British, with
field guns and Maxims, advanced to-
ward Spytsfontein, holding the Beers
in check in that direction. Ten guns
were engaged simultaneously, and,
viewed from the coming tower, an ar
tillery duel seemed proceeding in every
direction, except toward Kenilworth,
the fusillade being terrific. At eight
O'Clock, having no force sufficient to
hold the position he had stormed, Col.
Scott-Turner began gradually retiring
his men. He had a horse shot under
him and bullet went through the
6eshy part Of his shoulder. 1t is al
legged that the Beers used Martins and
explosive bullets and that they fire.
quently fred at the British ambulance
wagons. The British captured 2S Of
the enemy.
1t is reported from Cape Town that
the Transvaal government still refuses
to acknowledge the right Of the United
States to interfere regarding prisoners
In Pretoria insisting that Great Brit
ain must inquire through Conmandant
General Jonbert.
A dispatch from Frere camp, dated
December 5, says: "rhe Beers are fir
ing into Ladysmith. 1t is rumored
that 5000 Free State troops have left
Ladysmith, entertaining the gravest
fears as to the safety Of their own
~ untry."