Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-01-02
SCENE OUTSIDE BEIEAeuERED LADYsM1rH

The announcement that the former Will
have supreme command and that the
latter will be chief of staff has large
ly dispelled the depression in Cape Col
ony caused by therecent reyerses, 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.
Curious Story.
A dispatch from Lourenzo Marques,
dated December %, says curious story
is current, emanating from Boer
sources, that Matt Steyn, brother of
the president of the Orange Free State,
and 500 Free Staters have definitely re-
fused to continue the war.
Matt Steyn, acting as spokesman of
the party, is reported to have told the
president that he was only authorized
to intervene in the interest of peace,
and that the burghers did not feel
they were bound by his "unwarrant-
able conduct" especially as they ran
the risk of confscation of their prop
erty, and they. simply desired to be
permitted to farm in peace and pro-
posed to Immediately return to their
farms.
Sir Charles Howard Ynicent, member
of parliament for the central division of
Sheffield, and colonel of the queens
Westminster volunteers, has been APP
pointed to command the infantry di-
vision of the city of London imperial
regiment.
A Remarkable Statement.
The text of Col. Baden-Powell's proc
lamation to the burghers besieging
Mafeking, the gist of which has already
been cabled, comes from Iourenzo
Marques. After asserting that the re-
publics cannot hope for foreign inter-
yention. 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-
araordinary statement that "the Amer
ican 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-Powell, dated December 10, 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. PA 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
with searchlight and lombard the place
daily, they show no signs of assaulting the
town. They probably think they can starye
us out but we have plenty of provisions.
1.-The total casualties since the siege be-
gan are 10 men killed and 2S6 wounded"
Trains Run to Colenso.
Pretoria, Dec. 25.-Gen. Schalkburg-
Ell, reports, under date of December 20,
that. trains are now running to Colen-
so, indicating that the Beers have built
"a connection around Ladysmith.
81 Gen. Cronje reports from Modder
river, December "a, that the Beers cap
tured two British forts at Thurman,
December IL.
1t is rnmored that Gen. Methuen's
big naval gun has exploded.
The Transvaal government has pro
mnlgated new gold tax law, by which
Individuals and companies working
'~e syt Mines sgs taxsa s9 per cent