Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-12-05


guards were compelled to leave their
maxim guns behind when they were
! forced to seek less exposed ground. 1t
was only after dusk that portion of
the British troops succeeded in cross
/ ing the river by mill dam on the ex-
treme left. When night fell the Boer
artillery fire was still as vigorous as
IN the morning, but the Beers retire
ment in the night saved the situation
for the British. The exhausted condi-
ton of the British troops precluded
the possibility of pursuit of the enc
my.
The conclusion of the correspon-
dents that the Beers must have suf-
fered heavily must be confirmed from
official sources before it is accepted as
a fact. In any case the Beers retired
without any sign Of disorder, carrying
OFF their guns and equipment. Thus
Gen. Comics force is still intact. The
fact that Gen. Methuen and Col. Keke-
witch are now in communication may
cause a reconsideration of the Boer
commanders plan to give battle at
Spytfontein, where he might be stimuli
taneously attacked by both British
forces.
1t is reported that Modder River
bridge has been repaired and that the
British resumed their march toward
Kimberley to-day.
The fact that De Beers mines foun-
dry is casting shells while the garrison
seldom replies to the Beers artillery is
said to point to a scarcity of ammuni-
ton at Kimberley, partially accounting
for Gen. Methuen's haste.
All the news from Natal emphasizes
the difficulties before Gen. Cloy. There
is growing belief that some deli
cate flanking operation has been en-
trusted to some tactician while Gen.
Hildyard carries out the direct front
demonstration.
The latest advices from Ladysmith,
dated Saturday, November 25, say the
Smelling of that place was continued.
1t also appears that Gen. Schalkburgh-
er, commanding the Beers. sent a mes
sage suggesting that all the wounded
be sent TO a neutral camp, and that
Gen. White peremptorily refused, when,
it is added, the Beers deliberately shell
led the hospital. All accounts agree
that the Boer shells were much more
damaging than previously. A number
of civilians and police were killed or
wounded, while the Liverpool and
Gloucester battalions lost IL men No
vember "a.
The seige of Ladysmith was then
growing stronger. The Beers were es-
timated to number from 10000 to 49,
600 men. The health of the British
garrison was good.
"A local farmer, arrested by the
Beers and released November 20, has
arrived at Estcourt. He says General
Joubert personally commands the
Colenso force.
A letter from an officer at Lady
smith reveals a novel feature of a
modern battle. The writer says that
at the battle of Reiffontein several
ladies arrived on bicycles. Of course,
they kept at distance, but a shell
pitched close to them, causing them
to pedal off to a safer position.
A Dublin correspondent declares
that lowing to startling information
as to the existence of a dynamite con-
spiracy in order to quicken the flow
of Boer subscriptions, the executive
has decided to double the guards at all
the military barracks in the district ="
The afternoon newspapers welcome
the appointment of Mr.. Adelbert F.
Hay as United States consul at Pre-
toria. The St. James Gazette says.
Mt is by numerous small indications
4NbhSl bhnA Ny Oh ming CQIDul 10 ludb
the real depth of international senti-
ment can be gagged as between the
two great countries who prefer max
ing their sympathy plain to one an
other, to parading it before the world.
The appointment of Mr.. Hay is one
of those small significantly important
signs by which the impartial observer
can test the sincerely good feeling be-
tween ourselves and the United
States
The Westminster Gazette says:
If Mr.. Chamberlain is speaking to-
day he will undoubtedly turn to Mr..
Hays appointment as convincing
proof that an alliance exists. We do
not make such a sweeping deduction.
1t suffices to say it is pleasant to think
that our interests are represented by
one whose representations can hardly
fail to be received with consideration
by the Transyaal."
TRANSPORTS ARRIVED.
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