The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-30

herley fort replying with twenty shells.
The British force reconnoitered out
posts along Lazaretto Ridge, the Boer
patrols retreating.
Having accomplished this and having
discovered the Boer reinforcements ap-
preaching from Wimbledon Ridge, Col
onel Chamier, with the Royal artillery,
exchanged dozen shells as soon as the
guns could be limbered up. Some 800
Beers poured in Il heavy fire from their
earthworks, the British finally retiring
with the loss of one horse.
The movement showed that the Beers
We're still keeping their gums in the Vi
cinity of Kimberley, and are able to
summon reinforcements rapidly. 1t also
showed their proneness to vacate po-
sition Immediately when weaker than the
opposing force.
THE BOERS KEPT INFORMED.
London, Dec. 30.-(Saturday.)-T
Times has dispatch from I1ourenzo
Marques, dated Decembes 2S, which
says:
THE suspicion that the Boer Intelli-
gence apartment is in close touch with
a foreign consulate in Pretoria. is con
firmed by the fact that the news of the
appointment of Lord Roberts as COM
mander-in-chief in South Africa was gem
orally known in Pretoria on December
Goth, indirectly reaching Delagoa Bay
from the 1sransvaal two days later. Sus-
picion rests upon a CONSUL who is notori-
ous for his Boer sympathies. There is
reasons to believe that Pretoria is kept
INF al, ,.,t .e,I,
military movements.
with reference to the rlrnors of
smuggling contraband, it is significant
that Major Erasmus, of the Free State
artillery ds here. his arrival being coin
cident with that of the French liner.
Considering the freedom with which the
Transvaal secret service fund is spent
considerable mischief may be done un.
less cargoes are inspected by British
searchers. who understand foreign bills
of lading."
THE BOER'S t.>l1RVOUSINtE,SS
London. Dee. 30.-(Saturtlay.)- 1.-THE
Modder River correspondent Of the Times
referring to the scare-firing of the Beers,
says:
''Their nervousness causes much amuse-
ment among the British. 1T is quite ceI-
tain that half the Boer force is employed
watching by day and the other half by
night. Probably the consequent weari.
ness, with the scarcity of water and the
presence of typhoid, will render the
Boer position intolerable. Their present
action is due rather to a scare or to Il
wish to cover retirement of Spytfon-
tein.'
COI0NHALS WITH THE BOERS.
London, Dec. 3O.--t -tSaturslayl-- The
Cape Town, correspondent of the Daily
News says:
"A large resident of Vryburg who
was released 10y the Beers. saw 2,00e
colonials from Griqualand West. He
says colonial faces are to be seen every
where in the Boer ranks
SCARCITY OF WATER.
London. Dee. 30-(SatuI'day.) IL e
Times publishes the following dispatch
from Chieyeley Camp. dated December
oath:
Parties of Beers approached today
within three miles of Cmeveley Camp.
our watering parties, who
are compelled to go some two miles.
owing to the scarcity of water.
1T is reported that the LadysnIath
garrison made "A sortie on Thursday and
captured HILL
SHELLS DOING DEADLY WORK.
Lady smith, Dec 24.--tSunday.)-Nia
Pietermaritzburg.- General White has
had slight attack of fever, but he Is
now convalescent
The Boer shell fire has been very dam
aging recently. On Friday one she'll
killed six men and wounded one. The
same missile killed II horses. Another
just missed the Fifth Lancers' lines.
slightly wounding six officers. Several
shells have fallen close to General
Whites house, compelling the removal of
headquarters to another point.
1T is reported that General Joubert
is again i'm command of the Boers here.
The military authorities appear confident.
but they are very reticent.
Beers have been observed moving
northward and westward in large num-
bers.