Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-12-30
Straps and facts.

cOmmenCeu an arllllery altdck aSaluSt
him at Magersfonteiu. Melhuen's
report indicated that another big bat
tie bad commenced.
- The story that General Butler re-
) captured the guns that he abandoned
after the engagement at Fugela seems
to have been somewhat premature.
The British posted guard, under
cover, to look after the guns. A su-
perior force Of Beers surprised this
guard on the evening of the 18th and
compelled it to surrender. The guns
are now safely in the hands of the
Beers.
- The New York Herald has Ber-
lin dispatch which outlines the pro-
visions of an alleged treaty whereby
Great Britain aud Germany have ar
ranged to divide the Portuguese COL
lonial possessions between them.
Great Britain is to have Delagoa hay
aud the surrounding country, and
Germany is to have extensive porlu'
guese possessions in Africa. Great
Britain and Germany are 10 pay
price agreed upon. 1t is believed that
if the arrangement is carried into ef-
feet, Russia will seize Herat in AT
ghanistan.
- British cruisers have seized, upon
their attempted entrance of Delagoa
bay, several vessels loaded with Amer
lean flour, aud obviously intended Tor
the Beers. Foodstuffs are contraband
Of war only when so declared by
belligerent power. A belligerent pow
er has the right TO seize suspicious
foodstuffa when it can; but it cannot
con6scate them. The agreement is
that when power seizes foodstufs 1t
must pay to the owners a reasonable
price, which must include fair profit.
The seizure of the American Hour,
therefore, is not likely to cause com
plications.
The New. York Journal reports
that Secretary Gage and number OF
other financial magnates, are arrang.
ing to organize the "National United
States Bank" tremendous money
trust, similar to the Bank of England,
the Bank of France, or the Imperial
Bank of Berlin. 1t is alleged that the
foundation of the institution is to be
laid by the consolidation of the Ma
tional City bank and Hanover Nation.
al bank of New York. Gage is not to
take charge until after the expiration
of his present term as secretary of the
treasury; but in the meantime he will
do all he can to yet the proposed great
organization in thorough working or
der. Upon being asked about the re-
port, Secretary Gage denied its truth.
- The members of the Fenian socie.
ty, the Irish organization the object OF
which is to overthrow British rule in
Ireland, are discussing the question OF
raising force 10 invade Canada, from
the United States. Such an invasion
was attempted in 1866, and the invad-
ers were defeated at the battle OF
Ridgway. At Washington it is thought
that the present agitation is merely a
bluff to prevent Canadian soldiers
from going to the assistance OF the
British iu South Africa. Quite mum
Der of Irish organizations are preparing
to 90 to the assistance of the Trans
vaal; but the British government has
not yet seen bit to complain to this
government. 1t is believed that it
will be the policy of the British to
allow all volunteers who desire to do
so to actually leave for the Transvaal
and then pick them up on the sea.
1t is reported that glanders has
broken out among the mules and
horses of both the British and Beers
in South Africa. The British are bet.
ter able TO meet this situation than the
Beers, because they have means of re-
placing lost animals, while the Beers
have no such means. The general
military situation in South Africa is
about the same as when last reported.
There have been no more big battles.
Generals Butler, Gatacre, French and
Methuen all seem to be waiting to re-
cuperate, and London dispatches init
mate that there will be no more for.
ward movements until General Rob.
erts arrives on the scene. At last ac-
counts, Kimberly, Mafeking and Lady
smith were still holding out. As to
whether the Cape Colony and Natal
Beers are giving trouble seems to be a
question of doubt, as reports on the
subject are conflicting.
- At Fort. Myer, near Washington,
recently, Private Nicholas Davis pro-
cured a Krag-Jorgenson rifle and
quantity of ammunition, and barricad-
ing himself in room, began firing at
every soldier or civilian who came in
sight. 1t was because of some real or
fancied wrong at the hands of his COM
rades. He had brooded over the mat
ter and drank whisky until he was
crazed. Fortunately his aim was bad
and no one was hit. But it became
necessary to stop the shooting and the
commander of the post saw no other
way for it than to order a sergeant to
take a squad and kill the fellow. In
stead of firing volley, the sergeant,
who is crack marksman, took sim
gle shot at the fellow. Only the top
of Davis's head and the barrel of his
rifle was visible above the window.
The bullet struck the magazine
and drove pieces of iron into Davis's
head, stunning him without killing
him. As to whether the injured man
has since recovered, we have no infor-
nation. 1t was the intention, how.
ever, that if he did recover, to send