The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1900-02-16
THE TRANSVAAL WAR.
Daily Record Of the Great Events That are Trans
piring in South Africa.

entS that when he gets down to busl-
ness they shall have ample opportuni-
ties to send news. His chief press
censor yesterday issued new rules and
in future all written communications
are to go unchecked. Only kilograms
will be censored. For the next few
days little news is likely to get
through, but later there will be more
freedom. Thus says the ceusor and
the last clause may be interpreted 20
mean that something is about to hap
pen.
Kimberley, 90 miles away from the
NIodder river position, is in sore
straits. Details of the December
death rate show that in a population
of 1900 whites and 10000 blacks the
mortality was GO whites and 1875
blacks per 1000 The infantile death
rate was GIL per 1000 among the
whites and 012 per 1000 among the
blacks. Enteric fever was prevalent.
Meanwhile the bombardment by the
Beers has increased and there is i'm
minent danger of the town falling
under the very eyes of Lord Roberts.
| 1t is believed in circles close to the
war Office that he will move at once.
Scouts have approached within 1000
yards of the Boer entertainments at
Magersfontein. They have found
these strong and ascertained that
they are used as dwelling places.
Naval gunners are constantly watch
| ing the enemy's lines with strong
glasses and they declare that there is
| talNl 10 IN, ha
forces.
In Natal the Boer commanders
south of the Tugela occupy Bold's
farm and several mines west of
Chively. Two thousand Beers, with
three guns, are advancing through
Zululand toward Natal.
Spencer Wilkinson on the situation.
London, Feb. 13.-Spencer Wilkin-
son, discussing the military situation
in the Morning Post yesterday, re-
fers to Cape Town letter dated jan
uary 20. which asserts that Lord Rob
erts will allow no movement until the
transport organization is complete,
and says: at is probable, therefore,
that the transport is now ready and
that the arrival of Lord Roberts at
Modder river is the signal for action.
1t is possible that before beginning
his move he wishes to ascertain from
| Lord Methuen how matters stand in
his part of the theater of war and this
would account for pause OF a few
days"
Eshowe Likely TO he Beaieged.
London, Feb. 13.-The Pietermaritz-
burg correspondent of the Daily Mail,
telegraphing yesterday, says: dis
patch from Eshowe asserts that a
large commando of Beers is en-
camped near Ngutu, with so wagons
and nine guns. 1t is rumored that
this force intends to besiege Eshowe,
the intention probably being to forti-
| fly the Insult hills in order TO prevent
the British traversng Zuluand to re-
lieve Ladysmith.
The Beers ShelIed Out.
Rensburg, Feb. 13.-IIobirls and
Bastard's Mex, which the Beers took
possession of Saturday, have been re-
occupied 10y sthe British. The Beers
were shelled out.
WEDNESDAYS REPORT
London. Feb. 1.-THE news of the
day is the enforced retirement of the
British from the Colesberg district,
under heavy Boer pressure and prob
ably after brisk fighting. Thus, at a
time when Lord Roberts is apparently
able to push an army into the Free
state, the Beers make counter stroke
in unknown but seemingly great
force, not far from the vital line of
railway connecting De Aar and Orange
; river. Military observers do not re-
gard this as more than menace.
Nevertheless the news produces an I'M
pleasant impression here. Gen. French
had Unanswered the Beers out OF
p Rensburg in December. On January
il was reported that he could take
Colesberg in two days with reinforce
ments. These were sent, but the
Beers were also reinforced. Since
then the British lines have been eX'
tended east and west, so that at the
e opening of this week they constituted
great horseshoe 25 miles in length
The lines We're not continuous, but
all the strong positions were held.
Gen. French, when he joined LORD
Roberts, presumably took most of his
cavalry. Gen. Clements was left with
the infantry to hold the Beers il
= check, but Commandant Delaney
with double turning movement, has
compelled the British to concentrate
at Rensburg, beside threatening Lore
. Roberts communications.
= The indications as to Gen. Butler
T. immediate intentions are contradic
tory One informant who has init
mate relations with the war Office
predicts a movement within the mex
. day or two. A number of CORE
spondents who have been with Gen
Butler, however, have gone to Durbai
for few days rest, under the impress
sion that nothing is to be done imme