The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-01-03
BOERS ARE FIGHTING THE KAFHRS
AND DEFEAT THEM.
They Also Prevent the British From Capturing
a Fort After Hard Fight--kin-
berIy Still Besieged.

Commandant Swart, OF the Beers, re-
ports from the laager at Alowyns, that
lie had an engagement on Friday De-
cember %, with Kafiirs in the neighbor-
hood of Derdorpoort. The Kaffirs oc..
cuped a strongly fortified ridge and
were well prepared for the attack. Al.
ter heavy fighting the burghcrs captured
the Kaffir position, losing three killed
and five wounded.
Commandant Snyman reported as iol-
lows from Molopo:
"On Monday morning the enemy Othe
Britsh) from Mafcking attacked one oi
Our forts in force with cannon, MaNlms
and an armored train and so persistently
that there was fighting on the walls oi
the fort: but we have retained Our tort.
The British loss is reported as nifty
FIVE"
The other commanders report all
quiet" with the exception oi the usual
bombardmcnt OF Ladysmith.
Before dawn Friday detachment OF
the mounted forces, with artillery and
light infantry, moved out in a westerly
direction. Boer artillery from Kan
perdam opened fire at Ottoskopje, the
Kimberley fort replying with twenty
shells.
The British force reconnoitercd out
posts along Lazarctto ridge, the Boer
patrols retrcating. Having accomplish
ed this. and having discovered Boer re
Inducements approaching from VIM
bledoD ridge. Col. Chamier, with the
Royal artillery, exchanged a dozen
shells as soon as the runs could be linz
bered up. Some 500 Boers poured in
a heavy fire from their carthworks, the
British finally retiring with the loss OF
one horse.
The movement showed that the Boers
were still keeping their guns in the vi
cinity OF Kimberly and are able to SUM
mon reiniorcements rapidly. 1t also
showed their proncncss to vacate a
position Immediately when weaker than
the opposing force.
The London war office is issuing lists
OF further deaths and wounded as well
as accounts OF sickness. The most seri-
Gus report OF the last class is that horse
sici 1ess has broken out in both British
and Boer camps in Natal. Four hun
dred British cavalry horses, il is said
have already been shot owing to the oc-
currence OF glanders. The disease is
idity among the British horses than
among the hardy Boer ponies, and this
may mean considerable prolongation
OF the campaign.
A dispatch from Chievelcy, dated
Tuesday, December 10, says: The
British naval guns have destroyed the
Colcnse foot bridge, thus preventing the
Beers holding any position south OF the
Tugela river The enemy are taking ur
fresh positions on the eastern side
nearer the British camp.
"The British position at Frere is be
ing strengthened The Tugela river is
rising and there is a prospect OF heavy
rains.
"a two-hour bombardmcnt oi Lady
smith has been heard. According
to reliable native reports, the Boers hao
200 killed in the fight at Colenso."
The news that the Colenso loot bridge
has been destroyed, seems to show tina
Gen. Butler is more anxious to keep thu
enemy at bay than to attempt iurthel
advance.
Despite the severity OF the censorship
hints are being continually received o
the serious spread of Dutch disaffectioi
In both the Queenstown district OF Cap
Colony and Natal. A correspondent o
the Daily Mail at Pietermaritzburg says
"The extent OF Dutch disaffectioi
should make the imperial authorities
realize the magnitude OF the task be
fore them"
Gen. Butler will pursue the campaign
in Natal. The other generals will tr!
to hold their own until the arrival o
Gen. Roberts and Kitchener.
Fever and dyscntery are reported t.
be more effective in reducing tn
strength OF the British at Ladysmitl
than are the weapons OF the Beers.
On December ~ the British lost p
men in an engagement near Ladysmith
Gen. Joubert has recovered from hi
illness and is again in command OF tn
Boer forces.
British prisoners captured in the Tu
gela river battle have arrived at Preto
ria.
German authorities in Damarland, OF
the west coast of Africa have put stol
to Boer recruiting, which had been go
ing on quietly.
1t is said that Kruger will settle witt
Great Britain for an indemnity OF SIoo,
100000 and the cession OF Natal an,
Northern Cape Colony.