The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-07
CLOSING IN ON LADYSMITH.
BOERs MOUNTING MORE HEAVY
GUNS IN NEW PLACES.

Gen. Methuen Is still waiting for
supplies-The Recent SOrtie From
Kimberley Was More Serious Than
First ThOught-Boers Said 20 Have
Fired From Protection of a White
Flag-United States Not Permitted
to Interfere.
London. Dec. Z, 4:SO a. m.-Again there
is a complete lull in news from the seat
of war.
Ladysmith has established photographic
communication with Frere, and it is re-
ported that all was we'll up to Sunday.
A dispatch from the Boer laager, by way
of Lourenzo Marquee, dated Thursday.
Nov. 30, confirms the report that the COM
mandoes have been closing in upon Lady
smith and mounting big guns in new posi-
tons
According to the same advices a heavy
carnonade has been maintained and a gen
eral assault was ordered for Thursday
morning, but was countermanded at the
last moment
Modder river dispatches say that the
Beers are encamped amid the bills half
way TO Kimberley, but it is also asserted
that a large body of the enemy has gone
in the direction Of Jacobsdal It is possi-
bic, therefore, that Lord Methuen may en-
deavor to clear his right flank as far as
Jacobsdal before continuing his advance.
He is still waiting at Modder river for
stores, guns and ammunition.
Fight Near Kimberley.
The sorlie from Kimberley on Nov, rs,
appears to have been much more serious
than had been supposed. Details are now
arriving of reconnaissance in force by
mounted troops under Col. Scott-Turner
at dawn, in the direction of a ridge near
Carers farm, where the Beers were
stronsdy entrenched. Finding the Boer
pickets asleep Col. Scott-Turner proceeded
along the ridge under cover, and rushed
the Boer redoubts at 5:25 a. m in the face
of nail of bullets.
The Beers hoisted a white flag and fired
at the British under it's protection be-
fore surrendering. Owing possibly TO the
exhaustion of their ammunition, the Brit
ish were unable to follow up the attack
and to seize a large Boer laager about
300 yards ahead, especially as Boer re-
inforeements were seen approaching and
the enemy was keeping up heavy fire
from the shelter~of the thick bush
Was an Artillery Duel.
| During the sortie an armored train re-
| connoltered north and south while a con-
siderable force of British, with field guns
! and Maxms, advanced toward Spytfon-
tein, holding the Beers in check in that
direction.
The guns were engaged simultaneously
and, viewed from the coming tower. On
artillery duel seemed to be in progress in
every direction, except toward KenilWorth
the tusilade being terrible, At s O'Clock.
having no force sufficient to hold the posi-
ton he had stormed Col. Scott-Turner
began gradually retiring his men. He had
a horse shot under him and a bullet went
through the fleshy part of his shoulder.
Several men had terrible wounds
1t is alleged that the Beers used Martins
and explosive bullets, and they frequently
fired at the British ambulance wagons.
The British captured twenty-elght of the
enemy.
Macrum Is PowerIess.
1t is reported from Cape Town that the
Transvaal government sill refuses to ac-
knowledge the right of the United States
to interfere regarding prisoners in Preto-
ria, insisting that Great Britain must in
qure through Commandant General Jou-
bert.
A dispatch from Frere camp dated Dec.
5, says:
''The Beers are firing into Ladysmith.
1t is rumored that 5000 Free State troops
have left Ladysmith, entertaining the
gravest fears as 10 the safety of their
own country"
The Times prints letter from an Amer
lean, who left johannesburg because he
was liable 10 be impressed, and who had
learned that the United States consul was
unable to protect him. He complains bit
terly that the American flag was not re-
spected in Pretoria, that his passport was
not recognized, and that his position was
practically unbearable.
"