The Lamar Register

BOERS SURROUND METHUEN.

Cut His Communication and Harasses His Flank.

London, Dec. 2. - General Forestier-Walker has sent the following dispatch, dated at 9 o'clock last (Friday) evening, to the war office from Cape Town:

"Telegraph and railway communication to Modder river has been reopened. A battery of field artillery and a battalion of infantry were dispatched from Modder river against Commandant Prinsloo's force of 1,000 Boers, with one gun, who had destroyed the railway. Our losses were fourteen in wounded.

"Belmont has been strengthened by infantry and two guns, and a cavalry regiment and troops from Naauwpoort occupied Arundel Thursday."

Some interesting light is thrown on the position of affairs along the western frontier by a dispatch issued by a Boer agency last evening in Berlin. The dispatch says:

"Commandant Prinsloo's force is near Jacobsdal, between Modder river and Riet river. General Cronje is still on north bank of Modder river his rear being protected by fortified positions at Spion Kop. The hills between Modder river and Spion Kop and those between Jacobsdal and Riet river are occupied by Boers. Commandant Delarey's force is stationed between Graspan and Honey Nest Kloof."

If this Berlin dispatch be correct - and it is especially significant when judged in connection with General Forestier-Walker's advices to the war office - there must be some 15,000 Boers around Lord Methuen, who is believed to have 11,000 men. Kimberley, however, possessing an armored train, can materially assist Methuen by harassing the Boers from the rear.