Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1900-02-13
The Republican Forces Prove too
Much and too Numerous
for Them.
RENsBERG MAY BE GIVEN UP
Baden-PowelI Is PlueIsIIy Hold
Inc Out at MafekIne and Is
Promised Relief by
Roberts.
BIG SUM FOR RHODES IF CAUGHT

London, Feb. ia dispatch from
Mafeking. via Gaberones, Feb. I'd
says; Colonel Baden-Powell received
a communication from Lord Robert.
promising that relief would be sent il
a few weeks. Food will last The gar
rison is as game as ever. The Beers
have expressed the intention not K
fight but to starve us out. All well
| Rensberg, Feb. 13-Yesterday's re
tirement of the western outposts, in
cluded the withdrawal from Coles.
kop, and all the surrounding posts
The Beers placed forty FOUNDER on
Bastard's Mex, commanding the sur
rounding country and successfully
shelled the British positions The
Beers numbered thousands and were
five to one wherever fighting occurred
The. British are chatting under the ne
cessity of retreat from their posts,
some of which they have held since
new year. British now have no camp
west of Rensberg. They safely
brought off their guns from Coleskop.
London, GAO p. ma dispatch to
the Evening News" from Rensberg,
says severe fighting occurred during
the British retreat, various outposts
on both sides suffering heavy losses
The dispatch adds it is doubtful if
Rensberg can be held.
Rensberg, Feb. 12-The Beers have
again driven in the British outposts
on the western flank today, all out
posts at Bastard's Mex, Hobkirks s
Windmill and other points, retiring to
Maeders Farm. There were several
casualties but details have not yet
been received.
Rensberg, Cape Colony, Feb. 12-
The Beers are actively pressing
around Rensberg. A British force
under Lieut. Col Page, consisting of
section of artillery and $50
horses, which reached Stingersfon-
tein Feb. 10, has been compelled to
fall back on Rensberg owing to his
eastern flank being threatened
London, Feb. 13-The war office
posted dispatch from Col. Keke-
wich, dated Feb. II, to the effect that
Kimberley was bombarded through
out Thursday, Feb. 8. During the
morning of Feb 9, small infantry
engagement, lasting for two hours,
occurred at Alexandersfontein The
situation is otherwise unchanged.
London, Feb. 13--British prepara-
tions for a move from Modder river
events can be anticipated within a
few days. A dispatch from Modder
river, announces the arrival there, of
$4,000 refugees from the Barkley
West district who had been ordered
away by the Beers because they re
fused to join the republicans. The
refugees reached the Modder river
via Koodoosberg. It was learned
that 200 Beers were killed or wound
ed during Gen. MacDonald's recent re-
connaisance.
There is Mo confirmation of the re
ported sortie Of the British troops
from Ladysmith, nor of Boer out
thanking movement.
The report comes from Durham
that the British artillery forced the
Beers to evacuate their camp on
Balngwana Hill, south of Colenso.
It would be an important advantage
If the British were able to occupy the
position.
The absence of General French
from the Rensberg district appears
to have given the Beers an opportun-
ity for renewed activity. They are
meeting with minor success, having
considerable moral effect on the bor-
der colonists The Boer invasion of
Zululand is causing keen anxiety.
Apart from the fact that it threat
ems Buffers supplies, it is difficult
to believe that the Zulus can long be
kept quiescent while their cattle are
commandeered and the country over
run by their hereditary foes. Friends
of Cecil Rhodes are becoming alarm
ed at his possible fate, and have sent
an emissary to see DR.. Leyds, the di-
plomatic agent of the Beers in Eur
ope in regard to the probable course
the Beers would pursue in the event
of his capture. DR.. Leyds assured
intermediates that the Beers did not
intend to kill Rhodes, but. he added
they would certainly hold him as hos
tage until the indemnity for the jam
eson raid was paid. In yiewsof devel-
opments since the raid, the Beers al
so decided to double the amount OF
the indemnity demanded, so Rhodes S
friends win have to hand over $10.-
600, 600 before he is released.
Il is learned definitely that DR..
Jameson is still at Ladysmith, in
spite of all conflicting reports. A
semi-oficial paragraph is published in
the Globe this afternoon, saying
that Germany does not contemplate
intervention The German govern
ment. It is added. does not consider
itself concerned IN the fuaire status,
or existence Of the Boer republics.
london. Feb. La -nnlNafe tele-