The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-01-03
Advance on MOltenO and Fight
ing Is In Progress.
Skirmishing In the Hills
Around COlesburg.
STUBBORN DEFENSE
To the British Advance In That
Quarter Reported.
English Public Makes the Most
of Recent Successes.

Sterkstroem, Cape Colony, Jan. g.
The Beers attacked Molteno this morn
ing. A brisk action is now in progress.
Naauwport. Cape Colony. Jan. q
There was brisk fighting today in the
hills around Colesburg. The Beers
stubbornIy resisted the British at every
point, but gradually retreated.
The British held the extreme position
to the south and east overlooking the
town.
Berlin, Jan. st is reported that
British enrolling agent has been ar
rested at Korbheta, Russia.
MAKE THE MOST OF IT.
London, Jan. 3.-Lacking news from
the main British camps in South Afri-
ca, whose future action alone can have
an important effect on the larger issues
of the campaign, the British public is
making the most of Col. Pitchers
miniature battle. Unbounded tribute is
paid to the prowess of the Canadians
and Australians and graphic accounts
are published of the enthusiasm in
Douglass as the victorious troops enter
ed that place The representative of
the Associated Press, with the flying
column says:
THE immediate result of Col.
Pitchers success is the entire dispersal
of the rebels who have been governing
the country for the past six weeks.
After Sunnyside was captured, the
Torontos occupied the laager for the
night and Joined the main body the fol-
lowing morning. bringing the whole of
the Boer tents, wagons and loot and
leaving the Cornwalls in garrison at
Sunnyside. The British force then start
ed for Douglas, the Torontos bringing
up the rear in wagons. In the afternoon
the troops entered the town unopposed
and amid extraordinary scenes. The
inhabitants were overjoyed and crowd
ed about the soldiers, shaking hands
with them and when they learned that
their deliverers We're Canadians and
Australians the enthusiasm became
frenzied. There were deafening cheers
as the troops traversed the main street
and it was almost impossible for them
to make progress, the crowds being so
eager shake hands with the colonials.
1T appears that the Land Drost and
all the mounted rebels evacuated the
place on the previous night. The un-
mounted rebels are reported to be en-
trenched in the vicinity. Quantities of
ammunition were captured and de-
stToyed."
BAD REPORTS FROM LADYSMITH.
New York. Jan. 3.-A dispatch to the
Tribune from London says:
An unexpected development of the sit
uatiOn has occurred at COlesburg. Late
advices are that the Beers returned
with reinfOrcements during the night
and occupied the position from which
they were driven by General French on
Monday.
There is a deepening sense of anxiety
respecting Ladysmith whence most dis
heartening reports of the prevalence of
sickness are received. General White
reported a list of nearly twenty deaths
yesterday from enteric fever and dysen-
terry ana Il serious cases in the hospital.
DR.. Jameson has all the work he can
do in that fever nest. 1t is evident that
the garrison can not hold out long and
that Sir RedVerS Butler will not allow
many days to pass before striking a
blow. Transports with fresh battalons
and batteries arrived at Durham yester-
day and within 48 hours Sir Redvers
ought to be in readiness for a supreme
effort. The BOer line of defense is now
described as sixteen miles in length
having been extended up and down the
Tugela in order to prevent a turning
movement There are many dispatches
of minor interest from Gen. Buffers
camp this morning but no details in
dieating the direction of the next at
tack.
Scouting has evidently improved, for
the Hussars of ThOrneycrOft's horse
and other patriots are described as hav-
ing had brushes with the enemy. The
naval guns remain in constant practice,
but the BOer guns are silent.
The war office has completed its ar
rangements for the embarkation of ten
thousand men of the seventh division
In the next eight days.
Officials are plodding along with their
work. unmindful of the cross-fire of
criticism to which they are daily sub
1ected Lord Wolseley is reported to be
intensely irritared by the Daily Nails
attacks upon him. He is not likely to
remain silent when he has a strong de-
fense present. His friends nave been
insisting for weeks that he was over
ruled repeatedly at the OpeEing Of hos
tilities and that his advice was persist
emily neglected by the ministery in gem
eral and by Lord LanSdOWne in partic-
ular. The storm will blow over if Sir
RedVers Butler wins the next battle at
the Tugela and relieves Ladysmith but
another defeat in that quarter will be
cause for a tremendous shaking up at
the war Office and at headquarters. The
sailing of a small German cruiser for
Delagoa bay is the only official sign of
displeasure at Berlin caused by the
seizure of the BundeSrath- The VesseF
has arrived at Durham and probably a
case for her detention can be made out
on the ground of contraband of war.
but details regarding her cargo are
withheld for the prize court.
There is excitement at Lisbon over
the rigorous enforcement of the right OF
search and the French journals are in
high feather over England difficulties
in appeasing German resentment Mr.
RucknalI, one of the principal owners
of the steamer recently seized with
breadstuffs on board, declines to give
an explanation OF his alleged dealings
with the Beers.
Gibson Bowles is on the warpath.
clamoring for the repudiation of the
declaration of Paris, 50 that all prop
erty belonging to an enemy. even gold
bullion when it is exported from a
neutral port. can be seized under any
nag All the existing difficulties Vyould