Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-12-04
BRITISH At Kimberley
Dispatches Indicate Advance GuasI
of Methuen's Army Has Reached /.
Besieged City.
Lull in the News From South Africs
Main Force Awaiting Bridge
Repairs
Collision on the Rio Grande & Den.
yer Railroad Results In Six
Deaths.

| London, Dec. 4.-The Evening News
says it learns that a cable dispatch was
received today by an officer OF the
guards saying simply: "In Kimberly .
which, it is added. may mean that Gen.
Methuen's vanguard has entered KIM
berley.
| London, Dec. 4.-There is stilf lull
in the war news. This morning one in
teresting item is to the effect that the
Beers had very bad time at Kimber-
ley on Tuesday. One of their laagers
was captured by the Bechuanaland Do
lice. Kimberley is now in searchlight
communication with the relief at the
AIodder river.
From Natal we hear that on Tuesday
the enemy was located at Cheveley
Station. on the railway between Frere
and Colenso. The general body OF the
Beers fell back on Colenso and crossed
| the river.
1t would seem that the great railway
bridge was scientifically destroyed. The
/ Beers are posted along Grobler's Kloof,
on the north of the Tugela river, which
/ they evidently intend to defend at all
i costs, so that it will become necessary
TO construct pontoon bridge for the
4 passage of the British troops.
4 This operation, unless the enemy be
Il flrst dislodged by superior artillery,
4 will have TO be performed under fire
land amid considerable difficulties. 1t
now seems probable that Gen. Clery is
i working round the enemy's flank by
Il Way of Weenen, in which case the Bo-
ers may be placed in a very awkward
i position,
Two more batteries of artillery and
a two more battalions of infantry have
q reached Durham. Gen. Clery must now
have at least $4,000 men,, counting in
the Natal volunteers. With Cen
& Whites 500, this makes total of 32,-
800 British troops in Natal
Oh .aA western frontier ef the Free
State Gen. 1Sathuen has got across the
AIodder river and is sure of assistance
J. from the beleaguered town wherever
| and whenever he chooses 10 have the
final battle.
Cen. Gatacre has been reinforced but
4 has not as yet moved further forward.
Gen, French has reeonnoifared slong.
he railway from NaauMpoort go Ros-
mead. bur without incident The Beers
nave fallen back from Alaterla
The transport Lisnars High artillery
on board. has been wrecked. All the
men are safe. but Ifle horses and, it is.
feared. the guns, may 5e lost
Two thousand rehsl Dnten farmers
have joined the Beers IN ne northeast
Of Cape Colony. Tis said that the
Young men generails ass tioelling to the
enemy, while their fathers nald on and,
Till their farms.
Today the first Of the militia battal-s
ions called up for garrison duty will be
embodied, and by the close of the week
, twenty four battalions will be at their
various posts, to be followed by twen-
ty-two others, in all 10000 officers and
men.
After making every allowance for
those officers and men who have fallen
in battle and for those in captivity at
Pretoria, the British army in South
+ Africa. including all auxiliaries. will
/ comprises 1l7,5OO. It's strength accords
very accurately with. the estimate OF
experienced German officials Of the
: number OF men necessary to insure a
British victory.