Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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THE SUMTER WATCHMAN, Established April. 1SS0. "Be Just and Fear not-Let all the Ends thou Aims't at, be thy Country's, thy God's and Truth's." THK TKUE S??THKON. Established Joue, ? s*?6 Consolidated Au?. 2,1881. SUMTER. S. C., WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY 14, 1900. Sew Series-Yoi. XIX. So. 29 (Liji S?att|pn at? ^ouiljrcii Published S-ffsry Wednesday, -Bsr BB". C3r. Osteen, SUMTER, S. C, TERMS I $1.50 per annum-in advance. ADVERTISEMENT: OBO Square first insertion.$1 00 ?Very subsequent insertion... 50 Contracts for three months, or longer wil be made at red aced rates. All co OJ munica tiona which subserve private interests will becbargedforasadvertiements. Obituaries and tributes of respects will be charged for. UNBROKEN SILENCE FROM NATAL'S HILLS. Conflicting Emotions of a Na? tion Kept m the Dark. London, Feb 7, 4.20 a m -Lord Roberts bas caused to be distributed io the towns bordering upon the iovaded colonial territory sn invita tion to Free Staters and Transvaalers to go into the desert (Karoo ?), of? fering them good treatment and a restoration to their farms on the British occupation of republican terri? tory. The manifesto guarantees that those bringing horses can sell them Foreigners will have their passage j paid to Europe Colonial rebels are j advised to surrender in preference to being taken prisoners Not a word has been received from j the correspondents with Gen Buller I for three days It is as though Nata! had beeo wiped off the map, except the heliogram from Ladysmith saying that the Boers are cannonading and that "fighting is going on " Gen MacDonald, with 4.000 in? fantry, cavalry and artillery, threat ens the Boer right at Magersfonteio. This is the first sign of activity on the part of Lord Methuen for some weeks, aod doubtless has relation to the movements of the British further east This boping, fearing, doubting nation remains at the mercy of every wild rumor . The impression that Gen Butler's forces are fighting will not die out, io spite of the con tiuuous asseverations of the war office that it has co news to confirm that belief. From Cape Town under today's date, comes the statement that up to this morning nothing has been heard there regarding Gen Buller s recross- | ing the Tugela river, while Field | Marshal Lord Roberts, in a dispatch dated Monday, Feb 5, reports no change in the situation In view of the latter's dispatches, it seems hard to credit the circumstantial reports of the engagement of 'Geu Boiler's troops The common sense now almost inclines toward the decision that these are doe to the wish being the father of the thought Suppoei tion upon such a basis is utterly futile The complete silence from the front and at home may be as the wiseacres aver, but it more probably represents that period of preparation which precedes an important move? ment In other parts than the Togela the condition of information are scarcely more satisfactory There is an in conclusive vagueness regarding Gen French's reported intention to march on Norva?s pont with an overwhelm ing force of infantry While the news of sharp fighting in the neigh borhood of Colesburg can be fairly expected within a few days, it is more likely that it will assume recoonoissances and skirmishes for the purpose of holding the advanced position of the forthcoming main ad vance by way of Bloemfontein. Gen French is strategically prohibit ed from running any serious risk. Lord Roberts' reply to Presidents Kruger and Styn creates an excel lent impression here From Kirob-riey and Mafeking there is nothing new, so it can be presumed that the intermittent bom bardment of these places continues Capt Walker Oongrove, who re ceived the Victoria cros3 tor gallantry in endeavoring to save toe British guns at Colenso, writes : "I never saw a Boer ali day, and I do not think anyone else did Thou sands of bullets and shel's bur6t ail over the place, but the Boei6 were invisible " The Transvaal special war tax ;>f 2 shillings and b' pence per acre affects 3,000,"00 acres of English owned laud, a part of which is not worth more than the tax GEN MacDONALDON MOVE London, Feb ? -The Standard has received the fellowing dispatch, datf-d Monday, Feb 5, from Koppies Dam : "Gen MacDonald with a bri^ad^ of infantry, a regiment of Lancers and one batrety has reached here from Modder river camp in what is regard ed as a movejaent to the right of the Boer position at Magersfontein "The arrival of Gea MacDonald's column was opportune, as ii just pre vented two large commandos effect ing a junction He now holds both banks of the river "Our Lancers had two brushes with the Boer patrols. There is great activity among the enemy, and strong forces are concentrating to oppose our further advance The troops suffered from heat and scarcity cf water during the march '* PRETORIA GUNS SENT TO FRONT Cape Town, Feb 6-The Argus announces that 90 guns have been dispatched from Pretoria to the front and that the Pretoria forts have been practically denuded of artillery. Buller Attacking the Boers io Front of Ladysmith. English Have High Hopes of Victory. SDearman's Camp. Wednesday, Feb. i 7, 6 p ai-Gen. Buller commenced the advance for the relief of Ladysmith Monday. The naval guns opened at 7 io the morning and a feint attack j was made in front of our position, j Three battalions advanced toward the. ' Brakfontein with six batteries At I 1:10 the Boers opened with an artillery j fire and sent several shells among the British infantry, who retired an hour late ? ..while a vigorous attack was made on the extreme right, where the engineers expeditiously constructed a position Several pieces of oannon, hiddeo among the trees on Zwarts kop, bom? barded heavily The British infantry advanced and the Boers were entirely surprised* At 4 o'clock a high bill, named the Klnatz Ktoof. a continuation of the Brakfontein bad been taken The op? erations were excellently planned. The bombardment of the Boer post lions was resumed this (yesterday?) morning The Boers worked a dis j appearing cannon from the high Doorm i kloof range, on the right of the captur? ed bill, but the British shells exploded irs magazine, and the gun was put oat of action until late ic the day. Musketry fire was intermittent until the afternoon when the Boer? made a determined effort to retake the hill. Reinforcements rushed up cbeeriog, the Boers were repulsed and the Brit? ish advanced along the ridge The war balloon bas proved a most useful adjunct, making-- ascents daily and getting information as to the Boer positions The Boers direoted a heavy shrapnel fire in the endeavor to destroy the balloon apparatus. .The artillery behaved splendidly throughout, ably covering th2 infantry retirement from the feint attack in the face of a heavy Boer shell fire. It is believed that the Boers suffered very heavily, as their ambulances were bard at work The Boer position consisted of a line of kopjes, strongly entrenched, extend? ing three miles from Spion kop and curving sharply at the eastern end to tba south about opoosite Zwarts kop, which is a steep bill south of the Tugela that the British occupied before the seizure of Potgieter7s drift. After the capture of Krantz Klodf the heavy Boer fire prevented a further advance Monday. The next morning the Boers indulged in long range shell fire, bat io the afternoon they made a ! vigorous attempt to recaptare the posi? tion Their assault wa* made upon the northern end of the kopje, and at first it was tucce6&ful Reinforcements were, however, hurried up, and the British reoarried the position at the point of the bayonet and advanced along the ridge. As the British have a large force of troops, the outlook is j hopeful j London, Feb 8 -The standard has j thc following from Spearman's Camp, ; dated Feb. 7 : *'Tne force uoder Gen. Buller is j agaic advancing to the relief of Lady j ?n;itb, and after two days of severo ! fighting it may fairly be said to have made a good first step OD the road fa i the besieged town. "The movement was bc?un at ao ! eariy hour on Monday morning by way ! of Porgietor's drift. The Iveventh brigade, ferming a r,a't of the Fifth division, undfr Gen. Warren, made a . feint attajk upon the kn;jcs immediate : ly on our fi ont The assault wa* de ? nverea at the outset ?moer c-iver of vaval gu;;s on Mount Ahe." a;:d pubs:; * < ? ; j c r . * I v ut:?er thar cf field batteries. j **The infantry advanced steadily 1 t ?ward the Boer entrenched po??irioa a' , Brakfontein and kept the enemy bu-ily employed. While this d:verdon wt>s ; teing made tho remaind r of tl).- ;?;f^n r?, r? !u - ff tor ihe attack who had j bivouacked Suoday^ight under Mount Alice, moved along at tho foot cf Zwarts kop in the direoton of our right "A ponoon bridge was thrown across the Tugela by the engineers^ noder 5re of the eo<.a)y Thu first ! battalion to m^va across io the forenooy j was rh^ Duroau Light infantry of G n Littleton's briche They c-.dvaoc?d ; against Vaai Kran;z, which Hes on tte most direct road to Lari jem ich, aud j after two hours splendid work they j got witnio oharging distance of the Boers "The first of the kopjes was carried by them ac th? point of-the bayonet with the utmost gallantry. Almost simultaneously the first battalion rifle brigade cleared tbe second kopje and after moving along tbe ridge they bivouacked on the spot. ..The feint attack at Potgieters drift bavtng -"..?ed its parp?se rn preventing tbe c Jv ?tion of tbe enemy at the critic point the Eleventh brigade fell back to tbe river. "In tbe course of the operation both the infantry and the artillery had been subjected to a severe fire Yesterday (Tut^ay) at 4 in the afternoon, encouraged doubtless by their success at Spioo kop, the Boers endeavored to recapture tbe position taken by us ac Vaal Krantz They were beaten back, however, with loss. **The work accomplished so far bas been magnificently done. The shell and Maxim fire poured in by the Boers bas been extremely severe, ont our losses are, comparatively speakiog, small The Durban Light Infantry took a few prisoners io the coarse cf their charge "The enemy, as usual, fought with. the utmosc stubbornest. Tbe British manouvermg aod the accuracy on the part of the British artillery liuriog the fighting on Mooday were beyond praise. Io ere is not the slightest likelihood that the Boers ?iii succeed io dislodg? ing os from the positions we have gained, aod the prospeots of the relief ot Ladysmith are decidedly hopeful." Loodon, Feb 8.-The Daily Tele graph correspondent at Spearman's camp io a dispatch dated Monday night, says : "Under the personal direction of Geo Buller the attack on the Boer positions was began this morning by nearly the whole of oar batteries-72 goes-shelling tbe ridges where the enemy have their trenches and redoubts I on tbe Brakenfontein and the low crest faoiog Potgieters drift. "The enemy suffered severely. Sev? eral hills were smoking like volcanoes from the effects of tho bombardment, which set on fire their stores and the grass "While the third pontoon bridge was being constructed ander fire near Sohlet (Sfciet ?) drift the Eleventh brigade, now unaer the command of Col Wyooe, made a demonstration against the Brakfontein ridge, marching across the meadows with the support of seven batteries ot artillery "At ll o'clock tbe enemy opened a heavy cannonade of ebrapnel, common shell and pompoo shelis, chiefly from Spion kop This was accompanied by a rattling musketry fire. 'Our gunners behaved admirably and were as cool as if on parade. .'The demonstration having gained its efieot, the real attack upoo tbe Boer left was delivered at 4 o'clock. Tbe Durham Light infantry carried Vaal Kraotz, tbe key to the lower ridges, while Geo Hildyard's brigade assailed the higher ridges. Tbe general and his troops are bivouacked apon the field of battle. Io the laoguage of bourdoir bulletins, 'mother and child are doing well.' Our losses are. tri? fling." THE BOER SIDE OF IT. Boer Head Laager, Ladysmith, Tuesday, Feb 6 -Since yesterday the British, with naval and other guns, have bombarded our positions on the Upper Tugela The troops dossed the river at the Pont and at Molen drift, with the object of storm? ing our positions At the former, Gen Burger beat them back and they recrossed in great confusion. The fighting continues at Molen drift with the Standerton and Johannes burg commandos There were no casualties on our side The cannonade was the fiercest yet experienced There was a con tinuous roaring ail day long This morning it recomcLeuced with an increased number of guns Boer Head Laager, Ladysmith, Feb 6, ll a m -Further reports of j yesterday's fighting at the Upper Tugela river show that the British I lost heavily at Punt drift, but took I an important position on a srnail j j kopje at Mule:; drift Four Boers j ! were kilied Tue British loss is un known They are still in possession of toe kopje, and the big guns have : ceased tiring. Boers Have Made Their Kop-1 jes Aime sr, Impregnable. L ndon, February IO -4 'J<> a o - Loudoo aseepte a? ?in,, tho \> ? ?vare? te iii Hi /.: Goo Buller failed ?;?ato i bese s i a te co e o t s wen pass: it ? y -he j British censor at Adeu and i r a in the hgui O? M?*". B ??four's announce? ment in the O'onojoos that Geo Buller ? is nut prolog bis advance. Mr Winston Churchill wires that I Vaal Krantz was impracticable for the ' guns wrji;h were needed ?o supp?t ?urtber advance His cablegram lei Gen Buller, on Tuesday night, send a fresh brigade 'o relieve the ti holders of Vaal Kracz The descriptive writers with ( Buller were allowed a rather free h again in explaining the ugly posil which the British held and the cati obstaoles which bad to be overcoi So it is easy to infer that with B riflemen aod artillery defending th these bills, ravines and jungles h not been overcome and tbus the pul is prepared in advance for bad news LADYSMITH^ HOPE BLIGHT! Heliograms from Ladysmith, da Monday, describe the effect Gen. B ler'e cannonade bad on the worn ga soo. ^ Hope ran high that the. lc period of inactivity and tedium t drawing to a close The orash of gi was almost continuous for ten bon and at times it seemed as if as many twenty shells burst in a minute 1 Boers, preparing always for the p sibility of defeat, were driving he and sending iong wagon trains tow? the Drakensberg passes. Intel darkness and silence followed, bros only by frogs croaking and tbs oo siooal blaze of star shells, surroundi the town with a circle of light to p vent the unobserved approach of i enemy. A series of British min iaid for the Boers, exploded acoide ally, shakiog and alarming the city a camp. MACDONALD'S RETIREMEN1 Gen MacDonald's retirement puzz the military commenter's. The thee that finds acceptance is that it vt ordered by Lord Roberts and that bc Gen Builer's and Gen MacDonah operations were by the direction the oommajder-in-chief, in order occupy the Boers at widely separat points, so they would be unable transfer any portion of their forces oppose the projected central advance. Mr Charles Williams, a milita writer, who is understood to be confidential relations with Lord Wola ley, saya tbat beyond doubt the mc authoritative opinion in London regar it as probable that an endeavor wili made to force the line of the OraCj River before Wednesday next, poseib i by Monday. j A dispatch dated Frere Camp yeste day, probably written within tl advanced lines Wednesday, says : "Tl forces of the enemy are on both 01 flanks and continue to render 01 position extremely difficult to mail tain " This makes evident that Geo Balle after devoting Wednesday to bri?gii mora artillery and troops across tl Tugela, was badly in need of reinforc ments It is stiii more patent that it impossible for him to advanoe until ti artillery has been enabled to take u forward positions for the purpose subduing the Boer guns on both flank Upon the length of time occupied i this operation depends the duration i Gen Baller's maintenance of the defei sive Almost all the critics now point ot that the mere pushing through to Ladj smith without securing a decish victory on the way there would onl add danger to what is already a critica situation. Another Frere Camp dispatch says Boer prisoner asserts that the burgbei expected Gen Buller to cross at Skiel Drift and that thousands of Boers wer being posted at Doom Kloof to oppos such a passage, while on the capture hill there were only a few bundre Johannesburgbers. This tonds t increase the anxiety of those wh nelieve that Gen Buller bas scarcel begun the serious part of bis advance though encourage a.ent is gleaned froo the news that the heavy naval gun afrer repeated attempts during wbicl the males rolled down the hill, hav succeeded in reaching the summit o Zwart's Kop, whence they are doing excellent practice Gen Hector MacDonald's retire ment from Koodoorsbery has createc disappointment. But the operation was apparently only intended as ? sortie and its success or failure could scarcely have resulted in any material effect on the campaign. Military attaches will leave to morrow. Their destination is not given, but presumably they will join Lord Roberts, whose whereabouts have not yet been made public It was said today that one of the first steps to increase tho home army will be the raising; of thirty-seven new hoise and field batteries with barracks on Salisbury Piain, and the addition of thiid battalions to uumer otis regiments which at present are without them. "Up io GIO o'clock this evening tilt? war office had evidently heard nothing: of Gen Bailer's retreat, as described in the dispatches from the i Boer head !a.i?/'T, Ladysmith, Feb ! S When shown the Boer dispatch I th;? officials appeared utterly dun;-' founded Apparently they had not the least RKSfpicion ol'the possibility of such an outcome of the opera t ons While nothing has boen g vcu i to the public tho war office has had | reports from Gen Buller on the I situation for at least the earlier days j of the week." I News From Kehtuckv J i ? ~ I WORKING FOR PEACE IN KENTUCKY. Frankfort, Ky, Feb 6.-Whether it shall be war or peace in Kentucky rests tonight with Gov Taylor alooe The question has been in bis mind ail day, and tonight be declared that be has reached no decision and will announce none before tomorrow The text of the agreement reaobed by the Louisville conference last oigbt was brought to him this morning by a committee consisting of General Dan Lindsay, T H Bakerand L T Edelen. They handed Governor Taylor a copy of the agreement and were closeted with bim for a short time aod then departed As tbey left tbe building Mr Baker remarked : "I hope and believe that the entire matter will be amicably adjusted. More than this, I am unable to say at the present TERMS OF AGREEMENT. Louisville, Ky, Feb 6 -Tbe peace conference held at tbe Galt boase last night betweeo eeven representatives of the repablioan party and seven repre? sentatives of tbe demooratio party resulted io the unanimous signing of an agreement embodying seven specific propositions, which promise a settle? ment cf party differences wbicb have brought about two state governments io Kentucky. This agreement is in substance as follows : First-That if the general assembly io joint session shall adopt a resolution ratifying ?heir recent, action adopting the contest reports seating Goebel and Beckham rhe contest?es, W. S Taylor and John Marshall, shall submit with oat farther protest Second-That ail parties sbali unite in an effort to bring about snob a mod ifioation of tbe election law as will provide for non-partisan eleotion boards and insure free and fair elections. Third-Tbat the conditions shall remain io stata quo until Monday, the general assembly meeting and adjourn? ing from day to day until that time Fourth-Tbat nothing shall be done to binder or prevent a point session of tbe general assembly from takiogaotion on the ratification resolution. Fifth-Tbat the State contest board shall meet and adjourn from day to day until Tuesday without takiog any action oo the contests for minor State offices. This proposition is suggested io order that the action of the general assembly on the ratification resolution may be taken first Sixth-That the State troops shall be removed from the State capital at once, though with ail necessary pr?caution for the public safety. This matter is to be ander the direotion of Gen Dan Lindsay of Frankfort. Seventh-That tbe repablioan offi? cials and officers of tbe State guard etiaii have immunity from charges of treason, usurpation, courtmartial or any other offenses. Tbe agreement was signed by the following : Republicans-John Marshall, Judge John W Barr, Gen Dan Lindsay, T L Edelen, Dr T FI Banter, David W Fairleigh, G T Ballard. Democrats-J C S Blackburn, J C W Beckham, Sam J Sbaokeiford, Urey Wroodson, Jas B McOreary, Phil Thompson, Robt J Breokioridge Tbe course of events in the imme diate future depends largely upon Gov Taylor. An importaot ioflaenoe in shaping the republican policy has beeo, it is believed, the lack of support from the national administration for tbe course pursued by Gov Taylor since be assumed office. Democrats Tiring of the De? lay by Taylor. Frankfort, Ky, Feb 8 -Unless some action regarding the Louisville agreement is taken by Gov Taylor tomorrow or next day, or some word sent to them concerning his inten tions. the Democrats will poceed upon the hypothesis that be does not intend to take any action and will go ahead with the orgaization of their State government at Louisville A conference was held this evening in the Capitol hotel at which Gov Beckham, Senator Blackburn, S J Shackleford and John K Hendrick were present The delay of Gov Taylor iv. declaring himself regarding ?he Louisville agreement was dis cussed at length and it was a^reef^ by ail present that, in their opinion thc Democrats had waited long enough It was agreed al Louisville that the legislature should meet in the capitol building* on Mondsv. and t is now so near lhat time that the Democrats are beginning to think that Gov Taylor may take no action regarding it within the time limiu set. One day more will be allowed far some intimation from Gov Taylor and if it is not forthcoming another State government will be organized ai Louisville Gov Taylor announced tonight that be had taken nc action regarding the agreement and that there was no possible chance of hie doing so be? fore tomorrow morning Taylor is Not Satisfied With a Promise That tie will Not be Hanged for Treason. Frankfort. Ky, Feb 7 -Everything is quiet. No democratic member s of the legislature are in Frankfort and word is received that they wiii not return until they are assured of immun ity from arrest and from a forcible conveyance to Londoo. It is stated on excellent authority that Gov Taylor has decided cot to sign the Louisville agreement in its present shape. He desired several changes in it and practically a definite statement regarding the repeal of the Goebel law He is anxious that a oooference. be held ic Louisville on Friday night, at wbicb these changes j will be discussed and made. Today be arraoged a conf?rence here tonight to inform the republican leaders of his views, and advising with them regard? ing the further demands to be made upon the democracy GOEBEL'S BODY IN FRANK? FORT. Frankfort, Ky, Feb 7 -The remains of Gov William Goebei were brought back to Frankfort today from Covington "* and laid io state in the ladies' reception room io the west wing of the Capitol Hotel. There they will remain until tomorrow. There was a steady downpour of rain all day and probably oot over three or four thousand people took the oppor? tunity to gee a last look at the dead democratic leader. Many of these were country people. Half of those who filed past the casket were women, wives of legislators and city and State officials, society women of Frankfort and country women, many of them from the mountains There was no excitement whatever io the city. Adjt Gen Collier this morn? ing gave orders that all soldiers be with* drawo from the city to the capitol grounds. This was done to avoid any irritation wbiob the presence of the State troops might bave on Gov Goebei's friends Even the provost guard was withdrawn, while ali passes were suspended, noTeven tbe commis? sary 'sergeants being allowed to pass* -the gates of the capitol grounds to procure needed supplies for their men. These orders will remain in force uotil Friday. As a mark of respeot to the memory of Gov Goebel all drills were suspended for today and tomorrow. THE REPUBLICAN RUMP. London. Ky, Feb 7 -Tbe house was oalled to order at ooon by Speaker Pro Tem Bertberum, thirty-eight members being present. F. H Cecil, of Mid dlesboro, was unanimously elected sergeant-at-arms. V> H Hampton, of Barboursville. was unanimously elected roomkeeper. Four pages were elected. Cecil received the oath of office and adjournment was taken until noon tomorrow The senate convened at noon witb eleven senators present. On motion cf H. J. Howard, of Louisville, Kirk was elected sergeant-at arms and was sworn in. Adjourned. St Petersburg, Feb 5 -The cam? paign in favor of taking advantage of the present complications in South Af. i ca to secure Russian ports on the Indian Ocean and Med? iterranean is being pushed with vigor The newspapers openly advocate profiting by Great Britain's difficulties to realize the schemes upon which depend the ultimate prosperity of Russia and which Great Britain has always frus? trated London, Feb 8 -The Times says : "Private advices reached Parliament yesterday to the effect that the Boers, who are running short of big gun projectiles, have been making des perate efforts to secure fresh supplies Ail the leading firms have been ap? proached with a view to immediate delivery, and as the British makers have proved chary of entertaining ci fers, their Continental rivals are finding their opportunity." POWDER Makes the food more delicious and wholesome ROYAl BAKING POWOER CO., NEW YORK.