The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1901-01-23
IN SOUTH AFRICA.

LONDON, Jan. 16.-The casualty list
shows that there has been severe en-
gagement with loss of six killed, sew
enteen wounded and five missing at
Murraysburg, where the Dutch are
said to have been joining the invaders.
Murraysburg is sixteen miles west of
Graai Reinet. Indications are not
wanting that the decision Of the gov
eminent to send achievements has not
been taken moment too soon.
The government has decided to send
large endorsements to Lord Kitchener
and the war office is carrying out this
decision and has determined to enlist
five thousand yeomanry volunteers. AT
a meeting held at the war Office Tues
day afternoon this plan and others for
securing more men were discussed
and approved and it ia understood that
the government will, in the course of a
day or two, issue communique on the
subject.
LONDON, Jan. 1.-THE important
report received from Johannesburg
that Gen. De Wet has crossed the Vaal
and joined forces with the Transvaal
commandos, if true, probably mean the
concentration of 1000 Beers with sew
eral guns for another big attack.
There is rumOr current in Cape
Town that several Boer leaders are
urging an attack upon the mines. 1t
las long been understood that Gen. De
Wet has been anxious to join the in
vaders in Cape Colony, and this rumor
may be spread TO cover an attempt 10
break southwark.
AS an outcome of the fact that the
Beers 10 several instances have worn
khaki, a government notice has been
promulgated in Pretoria prohibiting CT
villains from wearing Khaki and notify
ing all persons who wear this costume,
which is likely TO be mistaken for the
British uniform, that they will render
themselves liable to arrest and impris-
onment.
The response to the governments
call for volunteers is said to be very
brisk in both London and the provinces.
Defensive measures in South Africa
proceed apace. Seven thousand men
have joined the city guard in Cape
Town, and three thousand others have
volunteered in the suburbs.
A small Boer commando has entered
Sutherland, cut the telegraph wires,
looted the stores and then proceeded
northward.
According to the Cape Town cor
respondent of the Daily Mail the Beers
occupied Aberdeen, forty miles south
of GRAFT Reinet, Tuesday. A unique
feature of Kitchener's fighting scouts is
the discovery of 300 Natalie camp fol-
overs for riding and leading spare
horses. This is likely to renew color
agitation.
CAPE Town, Jan. 1.-THE British
cruiser Sybil, recently landing guns for
defense of this town, is reported wreck
ed in Lamberts bay. Crew reported
saved.
CAPE Town, Jan. 1.-THE invading
Beers have occupied and looted Suther-
land, southern part of Colony, 1t is
reported that Kitchener is preparing to
drive the Beers out of Cape Colony.
LONDON, Jan. 17.-Kitchener reports
1000 Beers concentrating at Carolina in
eastern Transyaal. Colville's brigade
drove off the Beers near Vantondes
Heck with heavy loss.
LONDON, jan. 1S.-Lord Roberts
has issued from the war office stirring
appeal to the country for a prompt re-
spouse to the call of 5000 yeomanry,
whose past service in South Africa he
highly commands to the gratitude of
the nation.
The authorities continue to hold a
hopeful view regarding the South AT
rican situation but they seem to recog-
nize that vigorous measures are neces-
sary. The proclamation of martial law
throughout almost the whole of Cape
Colony. Lord Kitchener's strong meas
ure against the population of the repub-
lies, the placing on reduced rations of
the wives OF men on commando, and
similar measures go to show that there
is still heavy work ahead.
British offensive operations have
ceased for the present. 1t is supposed
that Lord Kitchener is collecting his
strength for final effoat to crush or
to capture the commandos by repeti-