Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-12-08
THE BOER BUDGET
British Are Still in the Dark About
Real Conditions in South
Africa.
BOERS ARE VERY ACTIVE
Appear to Be In Force Near Scene of the
Recent Battle at the Modder River
Making Things Very Hot at
Ladysmith.

New YORK, December "A dlSpatcn
to the Herald from London gives the
following advices from Modder river: 1t
is reported that serious dissensions have
broken out in the Boer camp between
the Transvaalers and the Free Staters
General Cronje insists upon putting the
Transvaal officers in command of the
Free State forces, ard says the latter
will not fight. A trustworthy native
who escaped from the Beers states that
he drove General Cronje and Head
Commandant Vessels away in a cart
after the battle at the Modder river.
They quareled all through the jour-
ney. Vessels severely blamed the
Transvaalers for not coming to the as
sistance of the Free Staters.
Jacobsdahl is reported to be full of
Free Staters returning home because
they do not like the way the English
are shooting.
Pretoria, December 6-Delayed. y
Fighting commenced near the Modder
river al o'clock this morning.
London, December S.-While nothing
in the latest messages from the British
camp at the Modder river indicated an
immediate advance, it appears that
Pretoria has news that fighting was re-
sumed Wednesday. 1t is not shown
however, whether General Methuen ad-
vanced on the new position taken up by
the Beers, or merely engaged in re-
connoissance in force.
Reports were again current at the
Orange river December that Mafeking
had been relieved. 1t is known through
dispatches from Magalapye that prep
arations We're completed there to ad
vance in force November Is from Rho
desia for the purpose of repairing the
railroad line and restoring communica-
ton with Colonel Baden Powell The
Beers, however, were strongly intrench-
ed near Gaberones, midway between
Magalapye and Mafeking.
Re-enforcements are rapidly arriving
at Sterkstroom to strengthen General
Gatacre, including the much needed ar
tillery. The authorities expect speedy
news that General Gatacre has taken
the offensive, thus diverting a portion
Of the Orange Free State forces now OBJ
structing the advance of General Me
thuen.
A detachment of Cape police had a
skirmish with the Beers December Z
near Indwe while General French re-
ports important reconnoiterings Decem-
ber 6 from Naauwpoort, showing prepa-
ratlons for an attempt to recapture
some British towns occupied by the
burghers.
A war office dispatch from General
Butler confirms the statement that he
Geographic communication has been full
ly established with Ladysmith, and
that General Butler and General White
are confirming as to future movements.
The latest advices from Frere camp
show that the bombardment of Lady
smith continued December 7. The pneu-
matte dynamite gun on Umbulwana hill
has commenced work
The Free Staters are reported to be
looting on the way back to the Free
State border.
According to special from Pretoria
General Joubert recently proposed to
exchange prisoners, especially Lady Sa-
rah Wilson, for a Boer lady taken pris-
oner at Mafeking. Lady Wilson is the
aunt of Winston Churchill, and wife of
Captain c. o. Wilson, of the Royal
Horse Guards. She has been acting in
a double capacity as newspaper corre-
spondent and a Red Cross nurse Lady
Wilson left Mafeking on horseback with
her maid as her sole companion, and
was reported to have reached Setlagoli.
London December S.-The war office
has just issued the following: mo fur
ther news arrived from General Me.
thuen to-day, but the following was re-
ceived from the Orange river station:
Railroad culvert blown up near Gras
Pan this morning. Telegraph also cut.
Guides report heavy firing Of guns to-
ward north
"The foregoing implies that the Beers
cut the line Of communication behind
General Methuen, who apparently Is
now fighting.