Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1900-01-04
Col. Pitcher, for Military Rea'
sons" Abandons the Cap
tured Town.
'BULLER IS AGAIN CHECKED
Shells Loaded With confectlon-
cry and Greetings Fired Into
Ladysmith-TranSvaal Asks
U. s to Intervene.

siderable difficulty in driving the
Beers from the hills surrounding the
town.
From Ladysmith it is reported that
all is WELL though this statement
must be taken in connection with the
news that sickness is increasing and
medical appliances are not too abun-
dant.
Indications are that General Bull
er will take the offensive before
many days but more than one hars
fought action will probably be neces-
sary before the relief of Ladvsmiih
is accomplished.
New York, Jan. A special to tho
Herald, from Washington. say.
There is reason to believe, that tho
Transvaal government has recently
requested this government to use its
good Offices to end the war with Great
Britain. The proposition came
through the American consul, at Pre-
toria., No answer has been given by
the state department and unless
Great Britain intimates that she is
desirous of the president exercising
his good Offices. there is no reason to
believe he will comply with the Boer
request.
New York, Jan. A Kimberly
dispatch to the Herald, says: The
De Beers company has decided not
to pay a dividend but to husband
their resources owing to the complete
stoppage of work.
Native rumors are current to the
effect that Bechuanas have risen
against the Beers and captured two
guns. The enemy remain Quiescent
In view of probable prolongation Of
the siege, steps are being taken by
military authorities to ration all the
inhabitants.
The British naval guns, at Chieve-
ley camp. continued an ineffective long
range fire night and day in order to
divert Boer attention from the move
ments of the troops.
Federal scouts yesterday penetrat-
ed the British camp. When return.
ing the British pickets discovered
them and wounded one Boer.
General Lucas Meyer resumes
command of the division here. Gen
cral Joubert denies that he ever pro
tested against the use of lyddite. He
AYERS that by the use of it up to the
present he has not lost single mar
Hoofdlaager, Ladysmith, Jan. q
Six horsemen made a dash from
J-adysmith a few nights ago ant
though pursued, escaped. 1t is be
lieved that the party included Colone
Rhodes. brother of Cecil Rhodes, ant
DIR. Jameson. The garrison at Lady
smith, during the night, threw ou
feelers on all sides exchanging shot:
with the Boer pickets. At midnight
a couple of shells fell into the Boel
camp, killing burgher. Genera
Joubert preached on Sunday. Rev
Mr. Moiring, who just arrived from
America, addressed the burgheri
this afternoon, dwelling on the expir
ing century witnessing the life strug
giles Of people. This morning shells
filled with confectionery and contain
ing the seasons greetings were sen
into Ladysmith. Federal shells ar,
selling in Ladysmith at 80 shilling
to five pounds sterling.
| Orange River, Cape Colony, Jan. 4
There was a small skirmish nea
Belmont this morning British firet
few shells but the Beers did not re
spond. A detachment of about fort,
Beers attempted to rush Klokfontein
this morning, but were beaten bacl
by the mounted infantry Possibl.
this force consisted of fugitive
from Sunnyside.
Reinforcements of infantry and al
t.llery have been dispatched to Ger
eral French from De Aar.
London, Jan. 4-There- is great sal
isfaction at the news that De Aa
has been able to send General Frenc
reinforcements of guns and infantr
of which he appears so much in neet
Fighting in the hills is incessan
The latest kilograms say that GeI
cral French almost surrounded Cole
burg but the Beers, stiffiy defendin
all positions close to the town pr
Tented the British from capturing i
] A dispatch from Rensberg, thi
morning says a heavy artillery du'
Z RECOMMENDED at daybreak.. Furtht
: details of fighting between Generi
Catacre and the Beers at Cypherga
To-day show 5000 Beers, with arti
Ilery, attacked a British outpost be
tween Cyphergat and M5iteno. Gener
ratacre, with mounted troops an
field artillery, moved out in front
sterkstroom and found the Boe
strongly posted at Coperburg, when,
they were quickly dislodged, the Boe
fleeing in the direction of Stormber
: Beers used the British guns, capture
Q December 10, and shot well, but Il
pritish kept under cover, and the
= were no casualties on their side.
II The war Office received a repo
e~o<,, rtora rrou,r doto1 ror.,,..,@