Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-01-04

ly unchanged At Mo0der river tba
beers appear to be modifying some
what their line of defense. Gen. Bull
ler's scouts have discovered the boer
camp established in the vicinity of
Springfield, southwest of Colenso bv
the Free State commando. A similar
has been made at Modder
river. 1t is reported a large force of
beers has formed a new laager about
Is miles down stream at Kameel-
heck. Helinograph reports from Lady
smith show all was well Dec. 81 The
bombardment is being continued, but
its intensity is relaxed A new armor-
ed tran has reached Butler from Dur
ban. A Capetown dispatch says an
of prisoners is under con-
The entire seventh divi-
sion viii have sailed from England by
Jan. II. Lord Wolseley replying to a
who asked for informa-
ton regarding British artillery
wrote: Our field artillery is at least
as good as any field artillery in Eu-
rope"
Steamer Bundesrath Guarded
Durham, Jan. 2.-The imperial mail
steamer Bundesrath of the German
East African line. which was seized
by the British cruiser Magicienne on
the ground that she was carrying
goods contraband of war in Delagoa
bay, has been brought to the wharf
here and is now guarded by marines
and blue Jackets. The steamship Ma
jestic which left Liverpool Dec. Is,
with 1000 troops, arrived here yester-
day.
Big Battle Coming.
London, Jan. 1.-The Standards
correspondent at Frere camp says:
Sir Charles Warren's division is now
nearly complete. Its headquarters will
be at Estcourt. 1t is rumored here
that the guns which were captured
from Gen. Butler at Colenso have been
mounted in the hills commanding the
drift over the Tugela river at Spring
field. The beers captured $40 rounds
of shrapnel when they took the guns.
Gen. Buffers difficulties have been i'm
measurably increased by the enforced
delay since the last engagement He
now has before him a series of walled
and fortified hills, running sixteen
miles along the line of the Tugela
These are swarming with the enemy
posted in positions of great strength
and bristling with guns, while the river
n ic in, fi1I1
battle will certainly be the stiffest and
probably the most momentous Of the
entire campaign"
How French Won His Victory.
London, Jan. 2-The Daily Mail has
the following dispatch, dated Jan. LIST:
Yesterday evening a big force of cav
airy and infantry with ten guns, I'M
der the personal command of Gen.
French, moving by detour, occupied
some hills three miles from Colesburg,
where the beers were in strength and
confident in the natural aid afforded
them by the rills around. The enemy's
position extended six miles around the
entire village. At daybreak our artil-
lery opened the battle. The beers were
taken by surprise but replied vigorous
ly. The artillery duel was maintained
for two hours. Then the boer hotcn-
kiss collapsed and was abandoned We
captured it. The beers retreated north
ward, we harrassing them by a damag-
ing shell fire. Colesberg is in our
hands and the few remaining loyalists
are jubilant. We captured many
wagons and a considerable quantity of
stores. Our losses were quite slight,
but the beers must have suffered heav-
lily.
Ugly Rumors Regarding Dutch.
CapetoWn, Jan. Ugly rumors are
N circulation Of Dutch rising with
the object of Selling Capetown and the
docks and capturing the governor Of
Cape Colony, Sir Alfred Miner. The
center of the movement is said to be
at Paarl a village about 80 miles from
CapetOwn, where the meeting of an
Afrikander bund was held yesterday.
A similar meeting was held at Rich
mOnd Dec %, and it is said that the
members of the bund in these two
towns are acting in concert. Many
are said to be armed with mausers
and anxious to use them in behalf Of
the beers. Although the stories of the
rising are discredited, the police and
military are taking ample precautions.
Portugal viii Be Neutral
London. Jon. 1.-The Lisbon CORE
spondent Of the Standard says: " 1t is
currently reported that the speech of
King Carlos in the Cortes today will
refer at some length to the situation in
south Africa but is is doubtful whether
anything will be said more friendly
TO England than to the Transvaal. The
Portuguese government asserts that it
has done everything to preserve neu-
trality."