The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1900-01-04
Two of Them Made by British
Forces Proved to Be Dis
NAL Failures.
BADEN.POwELL' 'SPOSITION DESPERATE
Correspondents Are Beginning to Hint
of "a forward Movement on The
Part of Gen. Butler.
Colonial Authorities Using Precau-
tiOns to Prevent nm Insurrec-
ton on the Part of DislOyal
Dutch In Cape Colony.

tied. No such hopeful view can be Ia
ken as the Boer account of the Mafe-
king sortie seems designed to convey.
No word regarding any such move
ment has yet arrived from British
sources, and the feeling of suspense
is deepening, as it is feared Col. Ba-
den-Powell's silence indicates that his
position is becoming desperate.
The dispatches from the front
breathe confident spirit, which is
by no means echoed here.
The latest Ladysmith advices show
that the Boer shelling is becoming
deadly, while sickness and ennui must
also be telling strongly upon the gar
rison.
The news of a spread of the rebel
lion among the Dutch colonists, and
of the attempts of Beers to cut the
railway at widely different points, is
very disquieting. as bearing upon the
safety of the extended lines of COM
munication.
All the correspondents are begin
ming to hint of a forward movement
on the part of Gen. Butler. the danger
of which is indicated in dispatch to
the Daily Telegraph from Frere, re-
cording the unfortunate failure of
two reconnaissances. In one case the
Boer lines at Colenso were to have
been bombarded at night. Mounted
men drew the Boer fire. and it was
intended that the naval guns should
lombard. This. however, the latter
failed to do, owing to some misunder-
standing, and the reconnoitering party
was compelled to founder back TO
camp through the wet and stormy
night, marching in mud and water,
and with the greatest discomfort.
According to the same correspond
ent, similar fate awaited another
reconnaissance in the opposite direc-
ton. "Two detachments." says the
dispatch, "lost their way in the dark
ness. They We're unable to effect a
junction for attack; they stumbled
into water holes and were out all
night. only to return drenched and
disappointed in the morning"
1t is roughly estimated that there
are $4,000 Beers between Ladysmith
and Colenso, some 400 being on the
south side of the Tugela river. At all
points the enemy shows ceaseless ac-
tivity. A large number of Americans
are said to be finding their way into
the various volunteer regiments being
raised in Cape Colony.
Cape Town, Thursday, Dec. 2S.-
The colonial authorities are using
every precaution to prevent an in
surrection on part of disloyal Dutch
in Cape Colony and to suppress a
rising if one should occur Every
where the British colonists are being
drilled, armed and ready to act in
their respective localities, should
armed Dutch colonials gather.
The theory is that the British
home-staying colonials should be
fully prepared to cope with the
Dutch colonials without the aid OF
regulars.
The alertness, of the British makes
united action on the part of the
pro-Boer residents difficult. Unable
to act openly they slip away singly
or in small groups. to join the enc.
my's forces. The authorities have
been informed of many centers OF
desirable to particularze, but there
is nothing like concerted action un
parent over wide districts.
The case Of Mr.. Michan, solicitor
to the DeBeers Co., who is accused
of treason acquires increased i'm.
portance as he has been transferred
from the custody of the civil author.
tiles here to the military authori
ties at Do Aar. His high position
causes the Dutch to watch his case
keenly.
Parties OF Boers have been qper
sting. some 70 miles soath OF Lord
Methuen's position. Beers appeared
on Christmas day near the railway
about 20 miles south of De Asr. A
force of the duke Of Edinburgh,
Own Volunteers prepared to engage
them, but the enemy retired.
Another party fired into a British
patrol camp during the night ot
Wednesday December 27. This wa.
near Victoria road. An attemp,
was made not far from that poin,
to damage the railway. One mar
was caught in the act and shot A
similar attempt was made between
Multiersolei and Klspmuts, but tn.
would-be wrecksrs escaped. Evi
IDENTIFY small parties of Beers ol
Dutch colOnials have been trying Il
interrupt the movement of trains
but thus far they have been bsflet
by the elaborate British patrolling
Recruiting 4. 1ows fec the Beers.
Orange City, L., Jan. s.-An entir'
regiment of soldiers is said to be el
route from the Dutch colony In thi
(Sioux) county to join the Beers il
The Transvaal. II seemingly we'll au
fhsnticated accounts are to be believ
ed the organizers Of the foros are mo-
attempting to send the entire body I,
the seat OF war st snee, but are con
tent to ship them out three or fou
st time by different routes.