The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1899-12-16
GEN. AETHUEh IN COMMAND
KIMBERLEY IN HIS REACH,
Beers Are Said to he Leaving the MOI
tai for Modder River with Presi-
dent steyn at the Front-Boers Are
Obtaining "a Strong FoothoId iN
Cape Colony.

London Dee. 9.-The war Office has re-
ceived the following message f. ON General
Forester Walker, the British commander
at Cape Town:
General Methuen wires that he has re-
sumed command and is nightly III COM
munication with Kimberley. The health OF
the troops is excellent.
A stony was current at Durham Decem-
Der to the effect that the Beers made
what it is thought to have been their final
effort to capture Iadysmith December A,
and were defeated and retreated. The
story was brought by runners and should
be received with reservation.
According to dispatch from General
Schalkburger's laager, dated December 3,
French and Austrian military attaches had
arrived there, while the German attaches
had gone to join the Roer forces along the
Tugear river, where the collision was mo-
mentarily expected. Perhaps an eXplana-
ton of the retirement OF the burghers from
Natal can be found IN a dispatch from
Modder river December Z, saying that a
strong Boer force, estimated at 5000 men,
was reinforcing General Cronje from
Natal The same dispatch says every
thing points to the fact that great en-
gagement would be fouqht at Spytfontein-
Beers are massing on the hills, where
they are vigorously building stone defenses
and are digging rifle pits i'll every direc-
ton. The Boer redoubts on Lazeretoe
ridge, west of Kimberley, are also being
extended and strengthened, showing that
the rumors of intentions of the Beers to
abandon the attempt to stem Methuen's
advance are unfounded
The British have shifted their camp a
few hundred yards away from the battle
field and are settling down ior the week.
There are some cases of fever among the
camps. Much depends on Gatacre's ad-
vance. There is undoubtedly large con
centration OF Beers ahead of Methuen.
Practically the whole OF their Alafeking
forces have Joined the Kimberley besieg-
ers. Official dispatches give reports from
. Colonel Kakewich, December 3 and ]
, showing that the Beers we've increased il
numbers around Kimberley.
A The Boer advance in the northeastern
j.. part OF Cape Colony is becoming remark
g able. Local farmers are ilocking to thu
t Boer laagers, the townspeople in man.
h instances welcoming the invaders wit
a every demonstration of joy. The annexa
|, ton of British territory proceeds daily
t Reported Boer successes have made
great impression among the Basutos.
d Advices from Pretoria say the govern
e ment has allowed two cable messages 1
It reach Winston Churchill.
l. The mint at Pretoria is coming 10000
d sovereigns monthly.
q steyn Joins the Troops.
= The announcement is made in a specis
% dispatch from Boemfontein, dated Sur
% day, December 3, that President Stey
% of the Orange Free State has joined tn
: Boer forces on Modder river. His appea
e ance the dispatch says, caused great el
- thusiasm among the Beers. 1t is repor
. ed from Orange river that 1917 dead Boo
were taken to Kaflirskop after the ba
% tie of Belmont.
~ Frere Camp, Natal, Dec. "a rum'
= from Ladysmith reports all well. III
- bombardment, the message adds, continue
y but is ineffective, the Boer shells only hi