Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-09
WIRES CUT By BOERS
Line Of Communication Behind General
Methuen Is Broken.
CULVERT BLOWN UP NEAR GRAS PAN
Guides from Orange River Station Report
Heavy Firing.
FIGHTING ON MODDER RIVER AGAIN
Nothing in the Reports to Indcats Impor-
tanCe Of tie Engagement
1HTlNG ON MODDER RIVER AGAIN
REVIVE RUMoRS OF RELIEF OF MAFEKING
Reinforccments sent Forward to
General Gntncre-Hopc He VIII
he Able to Divert Part
of Boer Forces.

(Copyright 1890, by Press Publishing COD
LONDON Dec. S.-(New York World Ca
blegram-Special Telegram.)-The Post mil
itary expert says: Lord Methuen's lines Of
communication have been cut and restored
A telegram to the war office says that merely
the railway cuvert has been blown up.
1t is possible to do great deal of damage
with a very little dynamite. The Beers have
shown throughout the compaign procrastina-
tion. Their most telling efforts hitherto
have been always a day late. II they had
cut the line before General Methuen re-
ceived his reinforcements and while he still
had the wounded on his hands the situation
would have been far from pleasant one
No news of any Importance has reached us
from the front for twelve days and one must
not be tempted to build fresh conjectures
on the guesswork of the past. The entire
border between the Griguaands is in most
unfortunate condition and big defeat OF the
Boer forces in front Of Kimberley or Lady
smith is badly needed.
Heavy Firing nt Lndysmith.
Copyright, 1899 by Press Publishing Coz
BRITISH CAMP AT FREERE, NATAL
HEADQUARTERS OF GENERAL HID
YARD, Dec. 7.-(New York World Cable
gram-Speclal Telegram. )-The natives from
the region Of Ladysmith report that many
women, dissatisfied with official reports OF
the killed and wounded, have arrived at the
Boer camps and insisted on seeing their hus-
bands, sons and other relatives. This may
account for the rumored dssensions among
the Beers
There was heavy firing at Ladysmith early
this morning. patrol OF Natal carblnlers
with provost marshal has just captured
four noted Dutch farmers named Osthulsen
and found in their possession much looted
furniture. The patrol was fired on by six
Beers, whose horses they captured and shot
but the Beers disappeared in donga CcuD
and were lost. The British troops in camp
here are we'll, but the heat is intense
ROBERT STUART.
Fighting nt Modder River.
PRETORIA, Wednesday. Dec. 6.-Flght.
ing commenced near Modder river aI
O'Clock this morning.
LONDON, Dec. S.-6:52 p m-Ihe wal
office has just issued the following
No further news has arrived from Cen
eral Methuen today, but this dlspatcn haS
been received from Orange River station
"a railroad culvert was blown up neal
era, Pan this morning. The telegraph wa'
also cut. The guides report heavy hriug
guns toward the north.
Tho foregoing implies that the Boers nav
cut the line of communication behlnd Gen
eral Methuen who apparently is now hgh'
ing
Rumors of Relief of MafekinE'
LONDON, Dec. S.-While nothing IN th'
latest messages from the British camp
the Modder river indicated an immeuiau
advance. it appears that Pretoria has new
that fighting was resumed Wednesday
is not shown. however, whether Eenel
Methuen has advanced on the new posInol
taken up by the Beers or has merely Gu
gagged in reconnaissance in force. Report
were again current at Orange river Iue'
day. December 5, that Mafeking mas pee
relieved. 1t is known through dspatche
from Magalapye that preparations were com
pleted there to advance in force NoVemDe
Is from Rhodesa for the purpose OF re
pairing the railroad line and restoring com
munication with Colonel Baden Powell In
Boers, however, were strongly entrenche
near Gaberones, midway between Magalapy
and Mafeking
Reinforcements are rapidly arriving
Sterkstroom to strengthen General Gatacr
including the much needed artillery IN
authorities expect speedy news that Ger
eral Gatacre has taken the offensive, TIM
diyerting portion of the Orange Free Sta'
forces now obstructing the advance ot Ger
Mpthuon.