The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1900-01-04
FIRST WAR PRIZE.
A German Vessel is Captured by
The English.
Special to the HERALD.

Special to the HERALD.
Lourenco, MARQUES, Dec. so. The
German liner Bundersrath from Ham
burg has been captured by British
war ship, and is now held as a war
prize. Aboard the Bundersrath were
three German officers and twenty
men, attired in Khaki, all enroute to
the Transvaal to help the Beers.
Cape Town, Dec, 2s.--A dispatch from
! Cradock reports heavy firing in the
direction of Stormberg. 1t is supposed
this is connected with Gen. Gatacre's
attempt to reopen communication with
the Indwe collieries.
DispeIs Depression in Cape Colony.
London, Dec. 30.-Dispatches from
all parts of South Africa emphasize
the great enthusiasm among the troops
and public occasioned by the appoint
ment of Gems. Roberts and Kitchener.
The announcement that the former will
have supreme command and that the
latter will be chief of staff has large
" dispelled the depression in Cape Col
ony caused by the recent reverses, while
the soldiers anticipate everything from
the presence of ''Bobs," from success
in battle to Caper beer.
Advices from Cape Town, dated De-
cember "a, say an investigation shows
that the reported disaffection among
the Dutch in the Victoria West district
has been overdrawn. The farmers, it
is pointed out, are mostly land owners
and will not risk the loss of their farms
by rising.
Remarkable Statement.
The text of Col. Baden-Powell's proc
lamation to the burghers besieging
Mafeking, the gist of which has already
been cabIed, comes from Lourenzo
Marques. After asserting that the re-
publics cannot hope for foreign inter-
vention, and pretending to relate the
exact attitude of all European powers,
including Emperor William, who, the
colonel said, ''fully sympathizes with
England" Baden-Powell makes the ex-
traordinary statement that "the Amer
lean government has warned the others
of her intention to side with England,
should any of them interfere"
A war office dispatch from Col. Ba-
den-PoweIl, dated December -, after
announcing that Lady Sarah Wilson
had arrived safe and well at Mafeking,
adds that the bombardment and mus
kerry fire continue daily on all sides,
and that the health and spirits of the
garrison are very satisfactory.
Mount Another Cannon.
Pietermaritzburg Dec. GA dis
patch from Ladysmith, dated Deem
Der %, says:
"The Beers have mounted another
howitzer on Surprise Hill, replacing the
gun captured in the sortie of the rifle
brigade. While they watch us nightly
with a searchlight and lombard the place
daily. they show no signs Of assaulting the
town They probably think they can starve
US out but we have plenty of provisions.
"The total casualties since the siege be-
gan are 70 men killed and 236 wounded"
Reports Evidently Untrue.
Washington, Dec. 30.-The reports
that the Boer authorities have threat
ened to reduce the rations of the Brit
ish prisoners at Pretoria in case Great
Britain stops the entry of food supplies
at Delagoa bay are not borne out by the
official communications of United
States Consul Hollis at Pretoria. By
direction of the state department Mr..
Hollis is looking after British interests
and in particular in seeing that the
British prisoners are afforded every
proper facility and personal attention.
His reports have been very full con-
corning the care of the prisoners and
such attending circumstances as were
warranted. These, however, give no
intimation that the rations of prison
ers are to be reduced, but, on the con-
trary, the entire tenor of the official
report goes to Show that there need
be no apprehension that such threat
will be put into effect.
Another SOrtie.
Kimberley, Friday, Dec. %, via Mod
der River, Wednesday, Dec. 27.-Before
dawn to-day a detachment of the
mounted forces with artillery and light
infantry, moved out in a westerly di-
rection. Boer artillery from Hamper
dam opened fire at Ottos Kopje, Kim
berley fort replying with 90 shells. The
British force reconnoitered Outposts
along Lazaretto ridge, the Boer patrols
retreatinG. Having accomplished this
and having discovered BOer reinforce
ments approaching from Wimbledon
ridge, Col. Chamier, with the Royal ar.
tillery, exchanged a dozen shells as
soon as the guns could be limbered up.
Some 500 Beers poured in heavy fire
from their earthworks, the British
finally retreating with the loss of one
horse. The movement showed that the
Beers were still keeping their guns in
the vicinity of Kimberley and are able
TO summon requirements rapidly. II
also showed their proneness to vacate
a position Immediately when weaker
than the opposing force.
A Battle with KaHrs.
Pretoria, Tuesday, Dec. &c, by way
of Lourenzo Marques, Thursday, Dec
2s.-Commandant Swart reports from
| the lager at Alowyns Kop, neal
Zeorust, that he had an engagement
on friday, December %, with Kaffirs IN
the neighborhood of Derdorpoort. The
Kaffirs occupied a strongly fortified
| ridge and were well prepared fol
emergencies. After heavy fighting the
burghers captured the Kaffir position
losing three killed and five wounded
Fruit Farming Along the Frisco
An attractive, illustrated and thor
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