Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1900-01-04

LONDON, Dec. OIL. ne ldteSl us
patches from Chieveley Camp hint
darkly at some impending movement.
This is taken, with some mlsgivings,
that Gen. Butler intends TO make IN
other attempt TO relieve Ladysmith.
1t is reported by the same dispatches
that the Beers have now returned to
tire north bank of the Tugela, being
afraid, that the swollen river may cut
off their retreat. They are also NOV
ing their laagers carer ~L.adysmith,
with the view of probably putting
greater pressure on the garrison,
which is now. suffering severely. 1t
Is hardly conceivable now that Gen.
Butler. would make a frontal attack
now that the river is rising, especially
in view of the fact that he is cOntem-
plating moving his headquarters back
to Frere can p.
The present movements of the Beers
is in line with the enemy's tactics of
securing a safe line of retreat. 1t is
known that artillery is due to arrive
for Gen. Butler, but the belief is that
even then his forces would be too
week to act. He might be moved by
a desire to accomplish something be-
fore the arrival of Lord Roberts. His
hen are also keen. TO retrieve their de-
feat. w
The reported engagement between
Beers and Katfirs is very vague and
cannot be explained until the arrival
Of later disrf tches.
The number Of members of the COM
mons who have volunteered for the
front threatens seriously TO reduce the
government majority when parliament
t~eassembles. e..
The R~Othschilds have donated g.
300 to the Buckinghamshire volunteer
fund. 1T is estimated 100000 will be
contributed privately to volunteer
funds throughout the country. AL
ready the fund for the relief of the
families of soldiers exceeds 100000.
Beers sim R~esieEing Kimberley.
Kimberley, Dec. 31.-A detachment
of the nOunted forces, with artillery
and light infantry, moved out In a
westerly direction. Boer artillery from
kan.ierdam opened fire at Ottoe's
kopje, Kimberley fort replying with
twenty shells. The British force re-
connoitered outpostS along Lazeretto
ridge, the Boer patrols %retreating.
Having accomplished this and having
discovered Boer reinforcements ap-
preaching from Wimbledon Ridge.
Col. Chamier, with the Royal artillery,
exchanged a dozen shells as soon as
the guns could be linbered up. Some
500 Beers poured in a heavy fire from
their earthworks. the British finally
retiring with the loss Of one horse.
The movement showed that the Beers
nre still keeping their guns in the vi
cinity Of Kimberley and are able to
summon reinforcements rapidly. 1t
also showed their proneness TO vacate
n position Immediately when weaker
than the opposing force.
Boer Fire Very Damaging.
Ladysmith. Dec. 81. - Gen. White
has had a slight attack Of fever. but
he Is now convalescing. The Boer
shell fire has been very damaging re-
Gently. On Friday q shell killed six
men and IL jured one. The same shell
killed twelve horses. Another fell In
the Fifth Lancers' lines. slightly
w~ounding six officers. Several shells
have fallen close to Gen. Whites
house, con polling the removal of
headquarters to another point. II ia
reported that Gen. Joubert is again in
command of the Beers here. The mil.
ttary authorities appear confident. but
they are very reticent. Beers have
been observed moving northward and
westward in large numbers.
Makes British Laugh.
London, Dee. 31.-The Modder River
correspondent Of the Times, referring
to the scare-firing Of the Beers, saws:
Their nervousness causes much
amusement among the British. 1t is
quite certain that half the Boer force
Is employed watching by day and the
other half by night. Probably the
consequent WEAKNESS with the scarci.
ty of water and the presence Of w.
phoid will render their position intol-
cradle. Their present act'sn il due
either to a scare or to a wish to cover
a retirement to S~pytfontein."
Russians I'm Boer Rank.
London, Dee. 81. - The MarseiIlas
correspondent of the Daily Mail. tele.
graphing the substance Of an inter-
view with the Russian Gen. Goruke
eldest son OF the famous Gourke who
Is now o to start for Pretoria
says that the Russian officer made the
following statement: Il lave been OF.
lered the of q Boer army
corps. In my own mind I am abso.
lutely confident OF the success of tho
Beers. You may take m word for II
that thousands of Russians are now
lighting under Gen. Joubert..
Boer. Fight with Kumr..
Pretoria, Dec. 81. - Commanders
Swartz reports from the lager nj
Alowinskop, near Zeorust. that he had
an engagement on Friday Dec 90
with kafirs in the neighborbood Of
Derdorpoort. The kafirs ccupie a
strongly fortified ridge and were well
prepared for emergencies. After
heavy fighting the burghers captured
the kafir position, losing three Killed
and five wounded.
The Boer Side of II.
Pretoria, Dec. 81. - Commando.
Snyman reports from Molopo. ..on
Monday morning the enemy FROM
Mafeking attacked one of orr forts ~
force with cannon, Maxims and On
armored train, and So persistentlv that
there was fighting right on tho ,yaIIs