The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-17

4 Dispatch 10 the Daily Mali from strsk-
strom says on this point;
ssKeckomons and Mel. two putchnisn
VINO were trisd BY court martial durinE
christmss week BY Gen. Buffers sanction.
ware cognmitted on January for civil trial,
the courtmartfal proceedings having been
stoppad nv the intervention OF the attor-
ney general Of Cape Colony.
Methuen's Artillery Praettce.
Modder river advices Of yesterdays date
only report daily ions-range Smelling. from
which the Beers are suppcaed to have sur
fered severely.
Gatacre's nsoastraticn.
A dispatch from stfekstrom. dated jan
uary IL. reports that Gatacre's troops had
made demonstration beyond Molteno. in
the direction OF Stormberg. in the belief
that the Beers intended to seize Molteno.
The burghers were not sighted. and the
British remained at Molteno. Arrivals
from Stormberg estimate that there are
$500 Beers at that place, mostly revolted
colonists and Free Staters. President
steyn's brother is the iandros.
French Does some shelling.
Gen. French continues to shell the Bcer
place.
VIII Convey the Naval BriGade.
The Associated Press learns that while
II IL still uncertain that the entire special
service squadron Is going to South Africa
whom relieved at Gibraltar by the channel
squadron. portion OF II will be detailed
to convey the new naval brigade being
formed for service at the front In Cape
Colony. This brigade. consisting of TO
men. eight foiir-inch guns, twcnty-four
Maxisns and eight ten-poundsrs. win be
taken to Gibraltar by the channel squad
ron when It sails January 30.
No Conndence In Methuen.
Evidences accumulate that Gen. Methu-
ems blunder at Magersfontein has lost
him the confidence OF his entire force to
such an extent that 1t Is declared doubt
ful II the troops would follow him in an
other attack on the Beers.
The war office is understood to be in
possession Of letter written by Gen.
WAuchope the night before the battle.
saying that It would be the last letter he
would ever write. as ne had been asked
to perform an impossibility. and he had
either to obey or to surrender his sword.
An immediate change In the command
OF the force may therefore be expected.
It is anticipated In some quarters that
Lieut.. Gen. Tucker will succeed Gen.
Methuen.
Mafekfng stil1 Holds Out.
The correspondent Of the Times at
Lourenxo MARQUEE telegraphing Monday.
January l5 says:
II am informed on the best authority
that six days ago Mafeking was holding
out as pluckily as ever. There was then
no likelihood OF capitulation. The garri-
son had plenty Of cattle and timed meats.
TT is openly stated at johannesburg
that twenty field guns were recently
smuggled through Delagoa bay"
French Gums Pass Through.
The correspondent Of the Times at
January 49, says:
1.-THE DeIagoa bay correspondent of
the Natal Times asserts that six big
Crensot guns and fifty tons of shells were
landed from the French steamer Gironde
about the middle of last month under the
noses Of two British warships and were
dispatched to Pretoria. causing much re-
toicing at the ease with which contra
band Of war can run the blockade.
Plotting with the Beers.
'The Swat Queen mother. since the
death of King Bunu, has killed all the
chiefs who were ever in England, or Cape
Town, and Is now plotting with the Beers.
The situation may fairly be considered
grave, and 1t would be well to send regi-
ments of Gourkhas to Swaziland immedi-
ately.
Refugees from Swaziland, living In the
Lebombo district. recently brought news
to Lourenzo MARQUEE that the queen Of
Swaziland was dead. Her death. follow
ing so soon upon that Of King Bum, was
looked upon with suspicion. According
to their story. however, not the queen
mother. but Necco, Bunu's brother, was
acting as head of the Swat nation and
he, in conjunction with Tecuba, Umban-
dimes old prime minister, was carrying
on q reign Of terror killing whole kraals
all over the country.
Free staters Anxious to Quit.
The Durham correspondent Of the Stand
= ard deals today with the numerous re-
ports that the Free Staters have tired
OF the war and will abandon the struggle
as soon az the British cross the border.
He mentions an extraordinary story with
reference to a journey Of President Kru-
gers son-in-Iaw. Eloff, to Delagoa bay,
In German warship. According to this
Eion has been making arrangements for
President Kruger's escape through Ger
man Damaraland in the event of the cap
ture Of Pretoria.
BOer Assault Repulsed.
RENSBERG. Cape Colony, jan 15.-The
Beers this morning attempted to rush a
hill held by company OF Yorkshires and
New zealanders, but they were repulsed
at the point OF the bayonet. The Beers
had twenty-one men killed and about fifty
wounded.
British Fort Demolished.
PRETORIA, Jan. 1s.-As a result of the
bombardment of Mafeking yesterday, a
British fort at the East was demolished
and the British retired. One Boer was