Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-02-01
TRANSVAAL WAR ITEMS.

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raordinary of the Orange Free State
onsul-general to the Netherlands al
The Hague, in regard TO American vol
inteers joining the Boer forces in South
Africa, in part, says: ANY person who
wants to go to South Africa must do sc
IN his own account and at his own
1sk via Delagoa bay. ! cannot pay
hem any money or engage them. The
'ame applies to surgeons and trained
,urses. However, should such people
DC sent out for love of our cause, in
Ease they cannot pay their own passage
money this should be done by us or by
our friends in private capacity. 1t is,
II course, very possible that the two
republics, after a happy finish of the
var, will repay some of such money If
The volunteers have rendered real SER
vice, but there is no official certainty
about this. AS to money, l will say
that this is most urgently required for
many purposes. Therefore, / shall be
particularly happy if money is sent me.
1t is preferred that the donors do not
stipulate anything, but that it should
be spent for the Orange Free State
government, which request will be
very carefully observed. / have my
self spent small fortune already for
our just cause"
History pauses for time in South
Africa. 1t is one of those unsatisfac-
tory pauses that are nearly as try
ing to British nerves as sequence
Of reverses, and apparently it will ter
inmate only when Lord Roberts gives
the word for the forward movement
INTO the Free State which, according to
the most cheerful view, he will be un-
able 10 do for a fortnight. Whether
ne will permit Gen. Butler to make an
other attempt to relieve Ladysmith is
quite outside the knowledge even of
those closely connected with the war
office. With the troops due to arrive
next month, he may think himself
strong enough to try two large opera
lions. Combining the forces under
Ten. Methuen, French and Gatacre
and adding to them the arriving troops,
Lord Roberts would have 70, 900 for the
invasion of the Free State, with 40, 900
to $4,000 guarding communications,
and 10000 trying to rescue Ladysmith.
The public burns with impatience that
something should be done.
The Boer forces have started heavy
bombardment of Kimberley. The gar
rlson's new gun carried five miles, but
collapsed after few shots. A body of
200 lancers made sortie from Lady
smith under cover of a heavy cannon
and rifle fire from the forts opposite
the laager of Pretoria command. The
British retired with evident loss. One
Boer was wounded. A heavy cannon
ade still continues.
The British claim another victory
over the Beers because Gen. Warren's
troops occupied Spion kop on the 25th,
very small garrison to flee
The dispatch also adds that in the at
tack made by the Beers, after the Brit
sh had taken Spion kop, that the Brit
sh suffered heavy loss. and that Gen
Noodgate was dangerously wounded
A Boer dispatch says the British left
800 dead on the battlefield after the |
engagement at Spion kop on the cath.
After holding the hill for day the |
British found themselves unable to |
lold out against the Beers and deserted |
he position in the night.
Gen. Methuen in commenting on
he military tactics and courage of the
5oers says: THE mobility of the Beers
S such that they can change front in
. minutes, so that "A thanking opera
ion when striking home simply meets
new front"
The last direct German mails to the
'ransvaal are now being returned from
ape Town without any explanation
n the part of the British authorities.
he German press comments upon the
act with considerable heat.
According to an English account
,adysmith is now considered to be i'm
the Notifications having
cen strengthened and supplies are
lentiful
The British losses up to date. Jan
I, in killed, wounded and captured,
ccording to Gen. Buffers revised list,
'tals s,2l5 men.
The Strathcona Canadian contingent
to consist of 531 men of all ranks and
'6 horses. Sir Donald Smith foots the
ltire bill.
1t is now evident that move than one
attic will have to be fought before
uller can stretch out his hand to
'hite.
One hundred and fifty Britishers
ere made prisoners at the Spion kop
lgagement.
The first lot of yeomanry left London
r the Transvaal on the eth.