Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-01-18
LITTLE WAR NEWS.
South African Cancellation Commit
tee Issues a Manifesto.
A BOER ATTACK An UTTER FAILURE.
Beers Attempt to Rush Hill Held BY
British Troops and Are Rspulsed at
the Bayonet's P0lnt-A Battle
Probably Raging.

| London, Jan. 17.-Even rumors are
no longer telegraphed from Natal.
The conclusion deduced from this 81
lence by the military experts gener-
ally is that no decisive blow has been
struck either way as in such an event
there would be no necessity for 81
lence.
The South African Cancellation
committee, quietly formed to repre-
sent the peace minority announces
itself to the country to-day and ssks
for support. This movement should
be distinguished from the "stop-the-
war group of extremists, of which
William I. Stead is the most active
member. Its programme summa-
rized is to wait until proper oppor-
tunity arises for some peaceable set
Element. Meanwhile it will gather
and distribute correct information
and sound views. The manifesto
atfirms that "as the war was begun
amid misunderstanding on both
sides pacific settlement is posi-
ble" There is no indication that such
an arrangement would be tolerated
by any considerable portion of the
public. National emotion is now in
state of disquietude over the re-
verses to British arms. The dissat
isfaction with the conduct of mill
tary business is intense and there is
an almost universal determination to
see the thing through.
The yeomary committee announces
that it has accepted 5000 out OF the
10000 which it wishes to raise and
still has 10000 applicants to be ex-
amined.
The military and civil authorities
at the Cape are in conflict over the
treason cases. A dispatch to the Daily
Mail from Sterkstroom says on this
point: "Keokomons and Mel, two
Dutchmen who were tried by court
martial during Christmas week with
Gen. Buffers sanction, were commit
ted on January 12 for civil trial. the
courtmartial proceedings having
been stopped by the intervention Of
the attorney general of Cape Colony"
A Beer Attack an Utter Failure.
Rensberg, Cape Colony, Jan. IT,
The Beers yesterday morning at
tempted to rush hill held by COM
pany of Yorkshires and the New Zea-
landers, but they were repulsed at the
point of the bayonet. The Beers had
81 men killed and about so wounded.
The hill commands tract of country
east of the main position of the Beers
and they had determined to make an
attempt to seize the heights. They
advanced cautiously, directing their
fire at small wall held by the York
shires and compelling the latter to
keep close under cover. When the
Beers rushed the wall the Yorkshires
fixed bayonets and charged. just at
that moment Capt. Maddocks, with a
small party of New Iealanders, came
up, and the combined force leaped
over the wall and charged straight
for the enemy, who fled, followed by
whitening fire at close range. The
Beers literally tumbled over each
other in their hurry to escape, but
the persistent fire of the British in
flicted heavy loss. Desultory firing
continued for some time, but the at
tack was an utter failure, and the
Beers retreated to the shelter of the
small kopjes at the base of the hill.
Free Staters Tired OF the War
London, Jan. 1.-THE Durham cor
respondent of the Standard deals to-
day with the numerous reports that
the Free Staters have tired of the war
and will abandon the struggle as soon
as the British cross the border. He |
mentions an extraordinary story with |
reference to journey of President
Kruger's son-in-law, Eloff, to Delagoa |
bay in German warship. According |
to this Eloff has been making ar
rahgements for President Krugers :
escape through German Demaraland
in the event Of the capture of Pre-
toria.
A Battle Probably Raging.
London, Jan. 17.-The Exchange |
& Telegraph company has received
the following dispatch, dated January |