The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-12-21
ARE SID TO BIZ HFMHED IN
FEDERAL FORCES ARE AVOIDING
PITCHED BATTLE WITH THE
BRITISH TROOPS
BRITISH ARsENALs AT WORK
Fresh Draft of Mounted Troops Will
Leave for South Africa Shortly,
and Others Ordered to
he Ready.

CAPE TOWN, Dec. pa government
memorandum issued this evening makes
the following announcement:
The principal seat of action has been
transferred to the northern part of the
colony. On Dec. 16 a large body of Beers
crossed the Orange river, towards Burgh-
ersdorp. British force followed, to
avoid which the Beers turned westward
and occupied Ventersted Dec. Is, but they
evacuated the town the same day on the
approach of the British, and marched in
the direction of Steininsburg.
The Beers, however, have been inter-
cepted, and find difficulty III moving in
any direction, as Steininsburg, Burghers-
dorp, oClesberg and Naauwport are all
strongly held by the British, ard the
Orange river has risen considerably in
their rear.
Another 1000 Beers crossed at Sand
Drift, making for Colesberg, but on the
dispatch of British force they diyerged
and occupied Phillipstown Dec IS. cutting
the telegraph wires between Phillipstown
and Houtk Kraal. Early this morning a
portion Of Beers reached Houtk Kraal
station and cut the wires there Consid-
cradle reinforcements have been sent to
De Aar and Hanover, and 1t Is now
hoped further invasion will be stopped
IN the case of scouting parties, which
may slip through to raid cattle and to
obtain much needed supplies.
Hitherto there has been very little fight
ing, as the enemy in almost every occa-
sion retired before the British They
took a garrison of twenty at Venterstad
prisoners, but the Magersfontein garrison
repulsed their attacks, 1nficting heavy
loss after some hours fighting and a re-
fusal of a demand to surrender.
1t is probable that of the two invading
forces the former is part of De Vets
commando and the latter consists OF
several small cOmmandos, hitherto oper-
ating in the west of Orange River colony
and of a number of rebels.
Martial law has been proclaimed in
the following additional districts:
Brittstown. Victoria West Richmond,
Hanover, Murraysburg, GRAF Re.net,
Aberdeen, Middleburg, Steinsburg, Grad
dock, Larka and MoIteno.
BLoEMFoNTEIN. Tuesday. Dec. IS
Gen. De Wet had 5000 men and 1900
horses when he captured Dewetsdorp,
according to gentleman who was inn
prisoned there The Boer commander
then declared that he was not going to
surrender without a free pardon for all
his men,, including many Cape Dutch.
The force of 5000 is now divided into
three sections.
ACTIVITY AT -ALDERsHOT.
LONDON, Dec. 2.-Since Lord Kit
cheners dispatch fully confirming the
invasion of Cape Colony and expressing
a hope not to capture, but only to
drive them north again." not word
has been issued officially as to the situa-
ton in South Africa. Considerable ac-
tivity is now manifested at Aldershot
A large draft of mounted troops will be
ready to start for South Africa, Jan. 6,
while others have been notified to hold
themselves in readiness for the same
destination.
According to the Cape Town CORE
spondent of the Daily Mail, wiring yes
terday, the treason court sitting in
Colesburg was obliged to hurriedly evac-
uate the town with the records and pa
pers owing to the proximity of the in
vading BOers.
THE Colesburg district" says the cor
respondent. lis seething with Brit
ish excitement. A recrudescenCe of re
ballion is perceptib'e in the districts i'm
mediately south of the Orange river.
Tuesday morning a fight was proceed
ing at Phillipstown, presumably with a
commando, which crossed at Sand Drift