The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-01-01
Cargo of Arms for Beers
Seized.
Six Hours Engagement Reported
at Sterkstrom.

London, January Ia. 90 .. m.-In the
absence Of confirmation OF the reported
sortis from Ladysmith that story is dis
credited. No such hopeful view can be
taken as the Boer account Of the Mafsk-
Ing sortie seems designed to convey. No
word regarding any suoh movement has
yet arrived from British ssources; and the
feeling OF suspense Is depending as 1t is
feared Col Baden -Powell's silsnce indi-
Gates that his position 10 becoming deg
perate
The dispatches from the front breath q
oon ndsnt spirit which II BY no means
echoed here.
Tho latest Ladysmitn advioes show that
the Boer shelling 10 becoming deadly,
while sickness and ennui must also be
telling strongly on this garrison. Ihe
news of the spread of rebellion among
the Dutch oolonistI and OF the attempts
Of Beers 70 cut the railway at widely
different points 10 very disgusting as
bearing upon ths safety of the extended
line Of communication. All the CORES
pondsnts are beginning to hint Of for
ward movements on the part Of Gen. Bull
Ter, the danger Of which Is indicated in q
| despatch to the Daily Telegraph from
Frere recording the unfortunate failure
Boer lines at Coienso were TO have been
tom bardsd by night Mounted men
drew the Boer fire and 1t was intended
that ths naval guns should bombard
This, however, the latter failed TO do.
owing to some misunderstanding and
the reoonnoitsring party was compelled to
noundsr back to camp through the wet
and stormy nishs march In mud and
water and with the greatest discomforts.
According to the same correspondent
similar fate awaited another reconnais =
sanoe In the opposite direction.
"Two detsohments," says the dss-
patch, "iost their way in the darkness.
They were unable to effect n junction for
attack; they stumbled into water holes
and were out all night, only TO return
drenchsd and disappointed In tbs
morning.
1t 10 roughly estimated that there are
a5, 900 Beers between Ladysmith and
Colenso, some 400 being on the south side
Of the Tugsla river. At all points the
enemy shows ceaseless aotiveity.
large number Of Americans are said
to be finding tnsir way into the various
volunteer regiments being raised In
Cape Colony. II II also rrI Iorted that
many Africans arc arriving mt Dslagoa
Bay, having been expelled from the Rand
because they had refused to work the
johannesburg mines for the govern
ment.
The proofs Of contrAband traffic in
creases daily. Il Is alleged that Europsan
officers arrive at Delsgoa Bay eTsry week
and proceed to the Beer lines. The Cape
Argus asserts that the latest imr rortations
by way OF Lourenzo Marquee, are six
largo Armstrong guns and 16 cases OF
ammunition, all OF which have arrived
at Pretoria.
The Imperial authorities at the Cape
have seized at Adelaide an immense
oonsignment Of arms and ANN munition
marked "Bisouits,"' sent by Beers to
Dutch farmers In this nsighborhood. 1t
is feared that the British reconnaissance
north Of Dordreoht described in q des-
patch to the war offiee, may turn out to
have been rather serious affair.
A correspondent Of the Associated Press
at Sterkstroom tslsgraphing December 81,
says;
"Captain Montmorency Of the 21st
ianoers. with patrol Of I'D. was recon-
noiterins eight miles north Of Dordrecht.
He met the Beers at Labuschanges Mex.
Thy opened fire and the British replied.
The fighting continued for stx hours
when the Beers received strong reinforce
msnts Including artillery Capt. Mont
morsncy retired and took a defensive pe-
sition ut pordrecht. The Bosrs did not
pursue him. II is believed that they
retired on their main body. Their losses
are not known.
The Queens message to the British
troops In south Africa was sent to every
general. II ran thus; 81 wish you
and all my brave soldiers a happy Christ
mas. God protect and bless you ALL