Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-30
(By Telegraph to virglnian-pilot)

(By Telegraph to virgnian- Pilot)
Kimberley. Friday, Dec. 22-(Via
NIodder River, Wednesday, Dec. Ply
Before dawn to-day a detachment Of
the mounted forces. with artillery and
light infantry. moved out In west
erly direction. Boer artillery from
Kamperdam opened fire at Ottos Kopjc,
Kimberley fort replying with twenty
shells.
The British force rcconnoitcred out
posts along LaZaretto ridge, the Boer
patrols retreating.
THE BRITISH RETIRED.
Having accomplished this and having
discovered Boer achievements ap-
preaching from Wimbledon ridge, Colo
mel Chamier, with the Royal Artillery,
exchanged Il dozen shells as soon as the
guns could be limbered up. Some 500
Boers poured in IL heavy fire from their
earthworks. the British finally retiring
with the loss of one horse.
TWO THINGS SHOWN.
The movement showed that the Beers
were still keeping their guns IN the
vicinity of Kimberley and are able to
summon reinforcements rapidly 1t also
showed their proneness to vacate a
position Immediately when weaker than
the opposing forco.
HEAVY FIRING REPORTED.
Cape Town, Thursday, Dec. 2S-A
dispatch from Cradock reports heavy
firing In the direction OF Stormberg.
1t Is supposed this is connected with
$ General Gntacre's attempt to reopen
communication with the Indwe col
lierics.
COLLN2Y LINE WORKING
London, Dec. 29.-The War Office has
received the following dispatch:
Cape Town, Thursday, Dec 2S-
The 1ndwe colliery line is now work.
ing again.
SIEGE OF LADYSAIITH.
Pietermaritzburg, Wednesday,, Dec
"a dispatch from Ladysmlth dated
December % says:
The Beers have mounted another
Howitzer on Surprise 1Iill repla cling
the guns captured in the sortie Of the
rifle brigade. While they watch us
nightly with a searchlight and lombard
the place daily. they show no signs of
assaultins the town. They probably
think they can starve us out, but we
have plenty Of provisions.
The total casualties since the siege
began are 70 men killed and 23S
wounded"
~ CONNECTION ESTABLISHED.
Pretoria. Dec. 25.-(NIonday)-G
Schalk-Burger reports, under date Of
December %, that trains are now run
ming to Colenso indicating that the
Beers have built a connection around
Ladysmith.
General Cronjc reports from the Mod
der River, December "a, that the Beers
captured two British forts at Kuruman
December IT.
1t Is rumored that General Methuen's
big naval gun has exploded.
NEW GOLD TAX LAW.
The Transvaal Government has pro-
mulgated new gold tax law by which
individuals and companies working
their own mines are taxed 80 per cent.
of the output, while mines worked by
the government will pay so per cent.
Suspended mines will pay 80 per cent,
on their probable output, calculated on
three months workings. Reducing
works Will pay 80 per cent. of their ne
profits. The law is retroactive to Oc-
tober II.
AsToR's GIFT.
London, Dec. 29.-William Waldorf
Astor has subscribed e 1000 to the
Buckinghamshire fund to equip the
county's contingent of Yeomanry.
London, Dec. 29.-Lord Salisbury pre-
a. iheStitlS OF the national
Defense Committee to-day.
RIGHT OF coNFIsCATIoN.
Berlin. Dec. 2s.-The Neuste Mach
rlchten questions the right Of Great
Britain to conf1scate gold ingots. which
are being transported from the Trans
vaal to Europe. 1t says it regards the
discussion in the English press CON
corning Delago Bay as purely tenta-
tive, as Great Britain has given no
signs that she will infringe on neutral
territory.
4 ROYAL COLONEL.
London. Dec 2s.-rhc Prince Of
Wales has accepted the chief colonelcy
Of the Imperial Yeomanry, and has
contributed ei05 for the use Of the
Organization.
LADY WILSON'S ARRIVAL
London, Dec. ga War Office dis
patch from Colonel Baden-P Powell,
dated December ~, after announcing
that Lady Sarah Wilson had arrived
safe and well at Mafeking. adds that
s the bombardment and musketry fire
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