The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-12-31
NO BIG BATTLES
WERE FOUGHT
Beyond sertles, Minor Skirmlshss
and Bombardments.
The Weeks News Shows No Change In the
Situation In South Africa.

The Naval Brigade Shells the Boer
Positions About Labyrinth, But
Their Fire Fails to Elicit Any
Sign Of Life Among the Enemy
"A British Cruiser SEXES q Ger
man Steamer in Delagoa Bay.
LONDON, Dec. 81. 4:30 a. m.-The
War Office, when communicating about
midnight copies of the messages ex-
changed between the Queen and the
inhabitants of Kimberley, stated that
no further news had been received up
to that hour, and nothing of Importance
has come from other sources during the
night.
The weeks sorties, skirrnishes, recon-
noissances and bombardments at va
rious points where the British and the
Beers confront each other. so far as can
be judged, has had no effect upon the
general situation at the seat of war,
which is practically the same as it was
q week ago.
During the night of December 18th
Ladysmith and Chiveley Camp were in
full communication, the former report
ing all we'll. While the signaling was in
progress the Beers attempted to middle
the messages with flashlights from each
extremity Of their long entrenched line.
The naval brigade took advantage of
the opportunity to shell the Boer posi-
tions which were plainly revealed by
their own lights. The naval battery
resumed the Smelling of the Boer
trenches on the morning of December
18th, but their fire failed to elicit any
sign of life.
A dispatch from Cape Town, dated
Wednesday, December 9th, announced
that an armored train had restored
communication with Dordrecht, where
the Free State flag had been hauled
down and that the Beers had been
driven from the adjacent hills to Storm
berg.
LONDON, Dec. 3O.-The War Office
has received a dispatch dated Cape
Town, Friday. December 18th, evening,
saying that Colonel Kekewich wired
through the General commanding at
Modder River, December 18th, as fol-
lows
II am desired by the Mayor and coun-
cif 10 forward the following for trans
mission through the proper channel:
ITO Her Most Gracious Majesty, the
Queen: The inhabitants of Kimberley
beg to send your majesty New Year S
greetings The trouble they have passed
through and are still enduring only
tends to love and loyalty toward your
majesty's throne and person.
ell g HENDERSON Mavor
"'On behalf of the inhabitants
The War Office also issued the fol-
lowing, addressed to the Secretary OF
State for War:
Please send the following to Colonel
Kekewich for communication to the
Mayor and council for the Queen:
" I am deeply touched by your kind
and loyal New Years greetings ]
watch with admiration your determine
ton and gallant defense, though re-
greet the unavoidable loss of life in
cured"
The reported sortie from Ladysmith,
resulting in the capture of Boer po-
sftion, is not confirmed, and apparently
is only Kaffir story. A Chiveley dis
patch dated Friday, December 18th,
makes no mention of it The same mes
sage shows renewed activity on the
part of the British apparently prepara-
tory to some action.
The Boer position eastward of the
camp was thoroughly reconnoitered De-
cember 18th without drawing the en-
envy. The naval guns engaged in daily
practice, and 1t is said on good author
ity that thirty or forty Beers have
been killed by the firing during two
days
dispatch from Durham predicts that
Ladysmith will be relieved On or about
January eth While there is nothing
to bear out this forecast. there is some
disposition to believe that General Bull
er is preparing another attempt to adj
vance, this time by an attack on the
Boer position on Innlawe mountain
Advices from Cape Town say there is
great disaffection there at the action
OF the British insurance companies, who
are retarding volunteering by making
policy holders pay war risk premiums,
while the agencies of the leading Amer
lean companies allow perfect freedom
for naval and military service
The Government has accepted 125
Ceylon volunteers. mostly planters, and
has also accepted the offers of Indian
princes to supply horses
The non-arrival of the Majestic, due
at Cape Town Thursday, is causing
some surprise among the public, who
expected she would maintain her usual
transatlantic speed. Shipping circles,
however, explain that this is due to
the conditions imposed by coaIing en-
route, the necessity of economizing her
supply and of traversing the tropics all
of which, they add. combine heavily to
discount her usual rate of speed. They
say all transatlantic liners would be
similarly handicapped.
An incredible report is circulating in
Vienna that Slatin Pasha is on his way
to the Cape to serve the British, and it
is regarded as much more probable that
he Is going to Khartoum, as he recently
said he proposed to make a tour of the
Soudan.
VIENNA, Dec. 30.--The report that
Slatin Pasha is on his way to Cape
Town is officially contradicted. He
starts for Egypt January 10Th.
A GERMAN STEAMER SEIZED.
DURHAM, Friday. Dec. 29.-The
British cruiser Magicienne seized the
German steamer Bundesrath in Della
goa Bay. She will be brought before a
'prize court.
LONDON, Dec. 30.-A representative
OF the Associated Press has learned
that there were three German officers
and twenty men attired in khaki. and
intending to serve the Beers on board
the Bundesrath, which explains her
capture.