The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-23
Report that They Are ON the Verge OF
Mutiny Not Credited and Prob
ably Exaggerated.
DE VETS CAPTURE DESIRED
KITCHENER's OPPORTUNITY TO
MAKE A CHRISTMAS PRESENT.
Several sharp Encounters Reported
Casualty List of 60 Killed and I02
Wounded Posted i'm London.

LONDON. Dec. 22.-Rumors are rife OF
serious trouble in South Africa The Beers
are appearing at unexpected places In large
numbers. according TO unofficial reports.
and it is said the volunteers on the
verge of mutiny. 1t is known that the
situation in Cape Colony is critical and
that Afrikander citizens OF her British
Majesty's possessions are joining the
Beers, but il is not probable the volun-
teers. although anxious 10 return home.
have refused TO continue lighting. How
ever. whatever the real situation may be.
il is certain General De Wet would be by
far the most acceptable Christmas box TO
the average Englishman, though there
seems little likelihood OF the wish being
granted The desire for the suppression
of this wonderful Boer leader, however,
is accompanied by generous admiration OF
his latest feat.
1T would be unworthy of the British
name" says the Times. Ito refuse the
credit that is due feat Of arms so brilliant
as the unexpected dash backward OF De
Wet and his men through the British
lines" other papers take the same view.
comparing the ride to Springhaus Mex with
the charge at Balaklava. In fact, admira-
ton for the extraordinary daring displayed
by the Beers on this occasion almost pre-
dominates the chagrin at the failure OF the
British officers TO cope with their op-
ponents. There is springing up philo-
sophie indifference TO the incapability or
generals in South Africa Reverses have
become the expected.
LATE NEWS MEAGER-
Since Lord Kitcheners dispatch OF
Wednesday last reporting the crossing OK
the Orange river into Cape Colony by two
bands of Beers nothing official concerning
events in South Africa has reached the
public. Tonight the news was most mea-
ger Reports were received from Cape
Town that the railway had been torn up
I'm three place north OF De Aar. A column
OF 500 OF all arms, under command OF MAJOR
shute. left Coiesberg Dec. Is by the Phil
ipstown road TO relieve a post OF twenty
yeoman who were invested on farm az
Hamelfontein. The Beers had been beaten
eff by the yeomen before the relieving
column arrived. Two wounded Beers were
captured. They stated that their party
had lost two killed and twelve wounded
A Standerton dispatch. dated Dec Is.
SAWS a sharp encounter took place with two
parties OF Beers near Kalkspruit, ten miles
south of the railway. One OF the Boer
parties numbered 300. Both were routed
after obstinate resistance. One retired IN
the direction of Grobelaar's drift and tha
other towards villiersdorf. IL is supposed
they lost severely The British force lost
two wounded and captured a quantity Of
I've stock and forage.
Many people Of all classes gathered about
the War Office this evening anxious for the
welfare of friends engaged in the war, and
especially for that OF those connected with
the regiments which were engaged In the
Nooitsedacht battle. AT a late hour A list
of the casualties to noncommissioned off,
GERS and men was posted. showing that
sixty had been killed and ls2 wounded.
Last Christmas society almost went crazy
over plum puddngs and chocolate hampers
sent to the soldiers on the veldt This year
they are not mentioned. In fact. the pub
lie is unutterably weary OF the long drawn
cut struggle, whose only interesting fea-
lures are the sensational successes OF De
Wet. This i'm no way affects the govern
ment whose determination 10 fight IL out
TO the bitter end Is evident from its de-
cision TO reinforce the already huge army
I'm South Africa Several members OF the
Cabinet. however. would be heartily CRATE
full were the Boer leaders TO sue FOR peace
BOERS NEAR KIMBEHaLEY
The Evening Standard says IL hears a
report has reached London that Kimberley
is seriously threatened by the Beers. None
OF the leading South African firms inter
ested in Kimberley, however. has received
Information tending TO confirm the report
A correspondent for an American news
paper. has cabled the following TO New
York: Something very serious Is happen
ing to the British In South Africa Lord
Kitchener has completely shut of the
news; serious Cabinet meetings and numer-
GUS portentous conferences are taking
place at the War Ohice, while reinforce
ments OF cavalry and irregular troops are
being hurried QUE with all possible speed.
There is growing discomfort among the
volunteer troops now I'm South Africa and
a SOP has been offered TO them in the form
OF increase pay and multiplying the time
credited 10 them The Imperial Yeomanry
are clamorlng TO come home. They went
out for a year and saw the pampered
favorites of the household cavalry and the
city imperial volunteers relieved. while
they have been given the nastiest work OF
the whole campaign The government now
offers to pay them si-s a day IL they stay.
This is an increase from their present pay
OF IS cents. The colonials are demandins
20 be returned. This is in the face Of rrea,
Boer activity
II is learned that the Beers who have In.
vaded Cape Colony. are commanded By
Generals Herfzog. Philip Botna and Haas
brock Besides the commands already re-
ported. force has crossed at ZoutSpan. q
reinforce the Boers occupying Philipstown
Dr. Leyds IN Pares-
PARIS. Dec. 2.-Dr. I<yds. the diplo-