Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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MB SUMTER WATCHMAN. Established April, 1S50. "Be Just and Fear not-Let all the Ends thou Aims't at, be thy Country's, thy God's and Truth's." THE TRUE SOTJTHRO??. Established Jene 1ZU6 Consolidated Aug. 2,1881. SUMTER. S. C., WEDNESDAY? JANUARY 31, 1900, New Series-Vol. XIX. So. 27 - - -^---------MBM^---------W II -O-BB PWD- ?'? IWiaPBBBWIMM?BMW?MaMM?M?MMBM^M^MMMBMMM| Published ETsry TSTednosday, -B5T PvT. C3r. Os>1;oe>:OL9 SUMTER, S. C, TERMS I $1.50 per annum-ia advance. ?DTBETISIUIST: Ono Square first insertion.$1 00 Every subsequent insertion. 50 Contracts for three months, or longer wil be made at reduced rates. AU communications which subserve private interests will be charged foras ad versements. Obituaries and tributes of respects will be charged for. THE WAR IN AFRICA. A Night Attack OD Boer Stronghold Was Planned. London. Jan 24, 4 a m.-Gen Baller's great taming movement, of which BO mash bad been expected, has come to a standstill His carefully > worded message to the war office telling this, an apology and an explanation Gen Wart n holds the ridges, bat after a silence of two days, reids like the enemy's positions are higher. The British artillery is playing on the Boer positions, and Boers are replying. The British infantry is separated by only 1,400 yards from the enemy, bat an approach to the steep slopes, aoross the bare opeo, would expose the British to a fatal rifle fire. Geo Baller's plans have reached their development. He declines to send his infantry across this zane against formidable positions by day? light and discloses hts purpose to as? sault the Spion kop heights during the Bight. Tais appears to be the key to the Boer defenses. If he takes it and j thus commands the adjacent country, au important and possibly a decisive step will be accomplished It seems that Gen Boiler's dispatch reached the war office rather early ic the night and was the subject of a prolonged conference between Lord Landsdowne, Mr Balfour and several staff officials The Baller dispatch, all, things con? sidered, looks like preparations for worse news to some of the newspapers Parliament will meet io five days. The cabinet had been hoping for one rallying British success to cheer the ooantry and to command generous ?apport for fresh revenue measures. Among these will be probably an increase of the income tax to a shilling on the pound, bat this would only provide the cost of five week's hostili? ties. The duties on tobacco, alcohol, tea and coffee are likely to be raised. The cabinet will meet at the end of the week and discass the situation Political consideration, both foreign .nd domestic, press upon the military authorities the necessity of speedily accomplishing something. These au tborities mav have been persuaded to arge Gen Baller to attempt bis great operation without adequate prepara lion. Apparently Lord Roberts ba? noth? ing whatever to do with Gen Buller's operations. Geo Baller and the war effice communicate with each other direct London, Jan 24, 1 15 a. m -The following dispatch from Baller dated at Spearman's Camp. Jan 23, 6 25 p m . has just been received at the war office : "Warren holds the position he gained two days ago In front of him, at about 1,400 yards is tbe en erny's position, west of Spion kop It is on higher ground than Warren's . position, so it is impossible to see in it properly. "It can be approached only over bare open slopes and the ridges held by Warren are so steep that guns cannot be placed ou them But we are shelling the enemy's position with howitzers and field artillery placed on lower grouud, behind in fantry "The enemy is replying with Creu* sot ?nd other artiiieiy lu this duel the advantage rests with us, as we appear to be searching bis trenches and his artillery fire is not causing us much loss "An attempt will be made tonight to seize Spion kop, the salient of which forms the left of the enemy's position facing Tricbards' drift and which divides it from the position facing Poigieterr3 drift It bas con siderable command over ail the ene my's entrenchments " No Report Roaching Anxious Eogland Prom Africa. London, Jan 25. 4 15 a rn -The morning oapers went to press with conjectures and forecasts of all sorts, striving lo guess out something from Spion kop Spion kop is the bighept part of a rocky plateau. Eastward lor eight miles are the Boer positions along the Tugela Northwestward from Spion kop the plateau jons gradually i up to a great spur of the Drakens ? burg. I Gen Boiler's infantry, to reach the summit to Spion kop, mu?t cross a natural glacis three quarters of a mile wide and climb 500 feet op a steep slope. Nobody here seems to know, not even the war office, what Lord Roberts has done with his large rein? forcements. Six thousand troops awaited his arrival at Gape Town, and since then 6,000 others have reached him. Military critics are all boping that a good share of these 12,000 have gone to help Gen Buller, and they argue that a few days wait may make bim strong enough to over ! come the deadlock j There are 19,000 troops at sea, and this heavy weight on the British side is expected to destroy the equilibrium now existing on every field of opera Hons The British ?osses up to date in killed, wounded and captured, according to Gen Bulleras last list, total 8,216 men It is generally recognized that the Boer position, if ever, taken, can only be captured at a tremendous cost. A dispatch from Pretoria dated Tuesday. Jan 23d, says: "Four or five times during the day the British replaced their wearied soldiers by fresh ones The Boer casualties to date are one man killed and two men wounded. Our men are in excellent spirits There bas been a large slaughter of British "Gen Botha is now in soie com? mand, Gen Cronje having been 6ent elsewhere." The same dispatch, apparently re Terring to the situation at Colenso, s ay s : "One of the large Boer Maxime was temporally disordered but was soon repaired. REPORTS TO NEWSPAPES. Loodon. Jan 25-The Daily Tele graph publishes the following dispatch from Spearman's camp, dated Tuesday, Jao 23, 9 30 p. m : * On Monday, Sir Charles Warren's force cannonaded and fusiladed the Boer position west of Spion kop, near the Acton Homes road. A lyddite battery cooperated with the other batteries and Maxims Certainly the fire was effeotive, causiog the eoemy serious losses The BDers, however, clung desperately to their works, from which they are only being very siowly driven Today the eoemy fired their guns oftener, using also the captured 15 pounders with shrapnel Our cas? ualties today were less even than these of yesterday "Fighting began about 6 in the morning and contioucd until dusk, but there has been nothing like a general engagement. The naval big guns assisted, from Potgieter's drift, in shelling the Boer positions.99 A dispatch to The Times from Spear? man's camp, dated Tuesday, 9 30 p m . -ays : 'The Boers today seoared more guns and are prepared to fight almost interminably, having entrenched their ; ridge, whioh stretches in an almost unbroken lice from the Drakensberg macy miles eastward. "Firing cootinued throughout the day. We have not advaoced aoy further, but we threw up entrench? ments during the Dight, from behind which the musketry duel conticued from exaotly the same position as yes? terday 99 The Cape Town correspondeot cf The Times, telegrapbiog Tuesday, says : "The Boodites are preparing to seize the firRt aeoisive British victory or the invasion of republican territory as the signal for a violent neace agita floe They will accompany their appeal to magnamioity by covertly hinting that they are unable to restrain the Dutoh colonists from rising. A correspondent of The Tiroes at Modder river, telegrapbiog Tuesday, siys : .'The reports of deserters agree that the situation of the Boers at Magersfocteio is beoomming unbear able, because the camp is uosaoitary, enteric fever is tpreading and vegeta bles are wanting On the oiber haod, toe health cf the British camp is satis f'ac:ory. although the ground has been es-au-tod by the long eooampaect and the trees have been cu* down by insect pest, aod dust storms A dispatch to the Daily Mai i from Lores z> Matqu.b, da'td Wednesday, says : "This morning all passengers hook ed tor the Transvaal wore stopned hy government order, with thc exception of the members of the Russian am bu .'anec corp-, who proceeded bv special trait) " THE FIGHTING TUESDAY. Spearman's Camp. Tuesday, 23, 3 3" p.m.- i ne British ?nUi artillery aarj howitzers shelled the enemy pc*?ed on toe crrst ot the ridge this morning The iofactry, under exe ilent cover, kept up au effective nfi>i fire. Thu Boers reaigoed a kopje, of which tho British infantry took possession. Wheo retiriog, the eoemy sheltered themselves bebind a ST.BC wai! OD the slope of the kopje, which they held for hours. This afternoon they ran acres* the --..vice The British artillery poured shrapnel and lyddite into them and tbe iofantry tc<".k the stone wall. The British casualty list was smill. DUTCH REPORT BRITISH DIS ASTER Berlin, Jan 24-German press tacticians are all unanimously of opinion that the situation of the British forces around Ladysmith is desperate The Berlin Tageblatt prints a Brussel's special, claiming that Sir Charles Warren has been signally defeated* A military writer for the Kreuz Reitang says the move ment to relieve Ladysmith has failed, rendering the British line of retreat endangered BUERS "SNIPPING;" "LONG CECIL" AT WORK. Kimberley, Tnesday, Jan 23.-The bombardments have ceased but the Boers are perpetually engaged in snipping "Long Cecil" is doing exceiient work and Cecil Rhodes has personally fired several shells from the gun Spion Kop Captured Without Difficulty. But in Holding it The Brit? ish Suffered London. Jan 25 -The war office bas issued the following dispatch from Spearman's Camp, dated Jan 25, 12 10 a. m : "Gen Warren's troops last night occupied Spion koo, surprisiog the small garrison, who fled. It has been held by us all day, though we were heavily attacked, especially by a very annoying she'll fire "I fear our casualties are considera ble and I have to inform you with regret that Geo Woodgate was danger? ously wounded. "Gen Warren is of the opioion that he has rendered the enemy's position untenable. The men are splendid." London, Jan 26 -Advices have been reoeived from Spearman's Camp that Gen Woodgate has succumbed to the wounds he received in the attack noon Spion kop ENGLAND IS THRILLED BY PRAISE OF HER MEN. London, Jan 26, 4.15 a. m -Gen Baler's phrase. * the men are splen? did," thrills England with pride and confidence. His taking and holding Spion kop are considered permanent advantages Sir Charles Warren's opioion that miles of the adjacent Boer entrench ments are untenable is accepted by most expert observers as obviously true, because from the height of the position, also some point out that if ic may lack adequate gun platform to resist artillery fire from the two extended sides, it is not likely that Geo Warren will let go of anything be bolds and news of further soooess is calmly awaited. The military authorities reo ogoize, of course, that io the twelve or fifteen miles between Spion kop and Ladysmith there are coctiouous defen? dive positions and rugged hills and ravines which far ont-range Spion kop, but they are sore that the troops who have turned the Boers out of difficult, places can do it again. The military expert of The Times, says : "It is exceedingly difficult to arrive at any exact estimation of the ad v.m tage gaioed A definite tactical object has been attained and definite steps have been taken in the fulfilment of the strategic plan." The Kildonan cbstie reached Durban yesterday (Thursdav) with 2.000 addi tional troops for Gen Baller, and three troopships have arrived from India, i bringing, among others, a regiment of Lancers. Beyond this it is not publicly known here how heavily Gen Balier ha? been reinforced. The situation io the neighborhood of the other armies is unchanged, bat a I forward movement by French is daily j expeoted A dispatch to The Standard j from Reosburg describes Gen French's I position as now formiog a great eemi ! oircle around the Boer position Thc j correspondent says be could take Goles* j burg. 12 m ii os away, at any time. I A letter from Pretoria gives rh^ tex i of a complaint wh'ch President Kruger ! made to President Sfoyn rcgerdiug the want of C'Opoia'ion on the part of the F*ec Staters at Modder River, and j President Stcvo*s address to 'he Free Staters Mr Kruger said he bad learn? led wirri regret (har "only about 1 OOO j men of thc Free S'&te fought i.. the ; last hattie, und that rn a nv others rr ' maioed ir? their camps while rhi-ir j brothers restored arid even defeated I th< ir enemy " j These statements appear to give j official confirmation of thc reports of disagreements between the allies. NOT TIME TO "HOLLER" London, Jan 25.-The jubilation ? over GOD Warren's accomplishment ?r? i capturing Spioc top Tuesday night is ! chastened hy the realizition thai his success is only providential, as it appears j??oar from Gen Baller's dis patch that the Boers fuiiy recognize the strategical importance of Spion kop and at the tim ? bis message was sent off they had not abandoned i'm hope of recapturing the position Neverthe less, a heavy load of anxiety has been removed from the nation and there is general expectation that, as the British have succeeded in keeping tho bill all day long, they will manage to retain it until Gen Warren plants guns eoough on it to dominate the Boer trenches right aod left. There is the usual disposition here to exaggerate the imp?rtanos of the point scored, bot the best informed peopie realize that Buller bas a task ahead of him calling for the most dogged persistence aod untiring attacks, and that the difficulties will increase as the position develops Boer Shells Made the Moun? tain Too Hot For War? ren's Men. London, Jao 26, 11.10 a. m.-The war office has just posted the following dispatch from Gen Buller, dated Spear man's Camp, Thursday, January 25, noon : "Gen Warren's garrison, I am sorry to say, I find this morning had in the night abandoned Spion Kop." London, Jan 27, 4 a m -Seven days of fihting have left the main Boer positions intact and Gen Boiler's army 706 men weaker, according to the official casualty lists, whioh seemingly do not include the Spion Kop losses, as those last forwarded do not mention Gen Woodgate'fl woundtrg. Eogland 19 possessed by a depressing sense of failure, though not a wori in criticism of her generals and soldiers is uttered. Not much effort is made to place a happy construction upon Gen Buller'* bare 18 words telling of the retirement from Spion Kop, and there is an uneasy impression abroad that worse news is yet to come At one of the military clubs tonight the statement passed from one member to another that the war office has received an unpleasant supplementary dispatch from Gen Buller, which was being held up for 12 hours Spencer Wilkins on in the Morning Post writes as follows of the Spion Kop loss : "This is a serious matter, and an attempt will not here be made tc minimiza it, for no greater wrong can be done to our people at home than to mislead them about the significance of the events of the war. The right way is to tell the truth as far as we knew it " But facts from the neighborhood of the Tugela are scantier than ever The censorship is now simply prohibitive and something is wrong with the cable? The break on the east coast line has been repaired, but the cable betweeo San Thorne and Loanda, on the west coast, is now interrupted "More troops" is the only suggestion here as the way to break the Boer resistance. Mr Wilkinson regrets that Gen Buller has not 20,000 more men. declaring that, if they would make victory oertain his enterprise without them is hopeless. The Spectator, dealing with the necessity of large additional military preparations, says : 4 It may be that we have yet another cycle of disasters in front of ns '' The transport Assaye arrived at Cape Town last Friday with 2 127 offiosrs and men The first portion of the Seventh division is afloat, HeDce, with the 10,000 men of this division and abont 9 000 others now at sea it lies io the power of Lord Roberts to reinforoe Geo Baller beaviiy. This course is advised by military writers Although severely tried, Eoglacd's nerve is absolutely unshaken, and probably nothing that can happen in South Africa will charge in the slight est degree her intentioo. She will continue to receive bad news, if it comes, with dignity, and will maintain her determination to win at last. The morniog papers editorally advise coolness a?d judgment and a careful avoidance ot over-estimating the importance of the last position. The Times says : "The natural disquietude of the public is increased ny the singular vagueness and if>coo sistency of Gen Baller's dispatches. There is. ?orieco:, a very singlar and fomewhat disquieting attitude of de fachoeots in G^n Baller's comments as revealed in The Gazette's dispatches j For instance, his cna:men:s as to his ! action at Zoutpanfi drif* Iii* remark j concerning -he probability that British ; r.?hc.?rs would in time h am the vaiae of j scouting might properly tV-Vi' come j from a foreign military attache, hut ir ; is rather more tha'i surprising thar it s h on i ci he thrown out in this casu.!, ; irresponsible fashion by tho h^a.i or" the j ^ forces concerning his subordinates, a j , w< ck or two, mnr<--nv;'r. after the lo?s of I ? the puns on 'ho Tugela " The cons; (i'iencc* of this latest chrck may be very s^riou? to the gal? lant Ladysmith garrisoo Ir is impos? sible to estimate the next movemeot. I It may be that Gen Buller will be i compelled ro retire from tho ground ! !a-c?7 gained, bur in any event we may i be sure rhat the British people will nor i show :herr.fre!ves wanting in fortitude and steadiness The government would be weil advised to cali out immediately ail the militia and to expedite the dispatch of the Eighth division and of the Fourth cavalry brigade. No doubt Lord Roberts will strain every nerve to enable Gen Balier to renew tba attempt to relieve Lady? smith." The Standard says : "Dr Leyds was a guest in Paris at President Loubet's banquet on Thursday, where, io cons?quence, the British ambassador did not appear. M. DelCasse coo versed sometime with bim, aod it is believed that he bas sioce received bim at the Qaai d Orsai Our Paris cores? pondent, however, assures us that the French government is determined to preserve neutrality." SOME JUST CRITICISMS London, Jan 26 -Under other circumstances the news from Lady smith showing greatly improved sanitary conditions, tbe plentifulness of provisions and the strengthening of the fortifications until the place is regarded as impregnable, would have inspired the nation, but these good tidings to the British are over shadowed by anxiety as to the situa? tion on the Upper Tugela. and the bought that the heavy losses suffer ed during the struggle Tuesday nigbt have counted for naught Military circles made no effort to conceal their chagrin, expressing the gravest fears as to the ultimate fate of Ladysmith Such authorities as Maj Gen Sir Fred Carrington, who is under orders for South Africa, and Lord Gifford, who won the Victoria cross while scouting for Lord Wools eiey during the Zulu W3r would not be surprised to bear of the capture of Gen White's force within a week Lord Gifford, who knows tbe country like a book, could not under stand how in the word Geu Warren even got to the top of Spion kop without ascertaining what position commanded it While Gen Warren is not blamed for retreating under what is supposed to have been heavy shell fire, he is severely criticised for occupying a position to which he could not bring np bis artillery NO BIG GUNS LEFT IN PRE? TORIA Durban. Jan 24 -One hundred and sixty Boers captured during Gen Buller'e recent operations have ar rived here A Free Stater, who is among the recent arrivals, says that President Steyn has been removing bis furniture to Pretoria, where several of his ofici?is have taken bouses It is also reported that no big guns are left in the Pretoria forts and that tbe Boera have exhausted their stock of good Mauser cartridges and are now issuing cartridges formerly condemned by Gen Joubert. They are said to be manufacturing 12.000 cartridges and 200 shells daily at the dynamite factory. HIGH PRICES FOR CHRISTMAS CHEER. London, Jan 27 -A dispatch to the Standard from Ladysmith, dated Dec 26, describing the Christmas celebrations, says : "Only a few were fortunate enough to get turkeys and geese A major ity had to be content with the hard beef of wasted, under fed oxen, or the coarse goat flesh which does duty for mutton "On Saturday there was a provis ion auction Potatoes brought at the rite of a shilling each, eggs averaged 10 pence each, carrots 7 pence each, ducks haifa guinea each, cigarette 42 pence per 3 penny package, and whiskey from ?5 to ?7 a bottle Everybody, however, was able to indulge in Christmas pudding, as the commissariat kindly issued the necessary ingredients for the occa? sion. HEAVY BOMBARDMENT OF KIMBERLEY. Pretoria, Wednesday, Jan 24 - The federal forces started a heavy bombardment of Kimberley The garrison's new gun carried five miles, but collapsed after a few 6bots A body of 200 Lancers made a sortie from Ladysmith under cover of a heavy cannon and rifle fire from the forts opposite the laager of the Pre torra commando The British retired with evident loss. One Boer was wounded. A heavy connonade started this morning and stili con? tinues. BOERS LOSS HEAVILY SUNDAY London. Jan 26 -Special dispatch? es from Durban say the Boer losses on the Upper Togela during the fighting on Sunday iast were very great Gen Warren's men captured 160 prisoners and 130 Boers were found dead in one trench Gee Buller reports that the British casualties Jan 23 were: Killed, officers six ; non commissioned offi? cers and men 18 ; wounded officers 12: non commissioned officers and men 142 , missing 31 men. PEOPLE PANIC STRICKEN 35 Deaths From Plague at Honolulu;. Seattle, Wash., Jan 25 -A special to The Times from Victoria, B C., says : "The steamer Miowera bas just ar? rived with Dews of 35 deaths at Hon? olulu from the plague, one a white woman of good class. The city ?9 panic stricken. An armed mob pre? vents the landing of steamers at Hilo. Cooper The board of health of Hon? olulu, bad 10 bloeks burned. Dr. Car? michael has been ordered to Manila. Thirty-four hundred Japanese at Hon? olulu are in quarantine American Forces Continue the Campaign of Slaughter. Washington, Jan 26.-Gen Otis cabled the war department today as follows : Manila, Jan 26.-Kobbe's troops occupy the hemp ports of Sorsogoo, Docsol, Bulan, Albay and Legaspi, southeastern Luzon. Virao, island of C')tanduaue8 ; will p-obably occupy the perts of Calbayee, Cathbalogao and Taclebao on the islands of Samar and Leyte before tomorrow evening ; no opposition except at Legaspi, where 800 insurgents strongly entrenched, under Chinese general, Powab, made stubborn resistance. Troops landed under protection of guns of Nashville, which fiercely bombarded fortifications a? close range. Enemy's loss over 50 killed or mortally wounded, 28 killed at Bridge Head at almost hand to-band encouoter, refusing to surrender. Our casualties : Captain Bradley Hancock, quartermaster volunteers, aid to Kobbe, wounded in band ; six men. including one saiior on Nashville, slightly wound? ed These ports contain great quantity of hemp ready for shipment and will be open on 20th instant. Otis. China's New Emperor. Pekin, Jan 25 -An imperial edict announces that Pu Chun, 14 years old, son of Prince Tuan, is appointed heir to the present emperor Kwang, who announces iii health makes bis abdication necessary The new emperor, it is said, will ascend the throne Jan 21 The dowager will continue her strong power and no change in Chinese policy is in view. REPORTED SUICIDE OF FMPER ORK WANG SU. London. Jan 26 -According to a special dispatch from Shanghai, it is reported that emperor Kwang Su has committed suicide Mr. Thomas' Charges. Yesterday afternoon the legislative committee to whom was referred the matter of the charges made by former Railroad Commissioner H R Thomas agaicst the other members of the rail? road commission, held a session at the office of the commission. Ali the par? ties interested were there, and Mr. Thomas presented his charges and what bo considered proof to sustain them. The committee beard the whole matter aod asked a number of question?. Its report will doubtless soon be forthcom I iog and will set forth the findings. ? The State, Jan. 26:h. Washington, Jan 23. - Henry A. Ilazen, one of the chief forecasters of the weather bureau and well known as a scientist, died here to? night as the result of injuries received last night by a bicycie collision with a negro pedestrian. His skull was badly fractured and he continued unconscious up to the time of his death -ABSOUJTECT?HJRE BAKING POWDER Makes the food more delicious and wholesome ROYAL BAKING POWDER CO., NEW YORK.