Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1899-11-11
A Decisive Battle at Ladysmlth
May Be Expected at Any
Time Now.
BOERS SHELLING MAFEKING
Reports Show That the British
Wounded Are All Pro-
crossing Nicely.


received from General Butler the fol
lowing dispatch: Cape Town, Nov.
10-A accommodating force from
Orange River had a skirmish with the
enemy today about four miles east of
Belmont Casualties: Northumber-
land Fusileers, Colonel c. E. Keith,
Falconer, killed; Lieut.. f. Bevan, H.
C. Hall, wounded; North Lancashire
regiment Lieut.. C. C. Wood and two
privates wounded. This is the only
report to hand. The war Office also
received the following from General
Butler: "The following message has
been received from Colonel Kelewich,
Kimberly, Nov 6-The wounded are
progressing satisfactorily. Two un-
armed natives have been shot by
Beers at Alexanders Fontein. The
conservancy post to South Kimberly
reservoirs has been missing since No
vember Alt is supposed to have been
captured by Beers. Browne of Bea-
consEeld having ridden beyond the
barriers yesterday is missing 1t. is
supposed he was captured. The sit
nation is otherwise unchanged.
TROOPS ARRIVE.
London, Nov. lit is officially an
nounced that the troop ship York
shire, Lismore Castle and Aurania
have arrived at Cape Town with
3,676 troops. The two steamers first
named Immediately proceeded to Dur
ban. 1t is supposed that the Aura
MAS troops will be landed at Cape
Town.
KIMBERLY ATTACKED.
Pretoria, Tuesday.-The lombard
ment and attack on Kimberly was
started this morning.
London, Nov, 1.-THE following ad-
ditional announcement was made by
the war Office this afternoon: Gen
-eral Butler wires today that Colonel
Kekewich reported November Sth that
the bombardment of Kimberly Novem-
ber Z did no damage and there were
no casualties"
SEAMEN WILL FIGHT.
Durham, Natal, Nov. IA large
force of men and guns from the Bri-
tish first class cruiser Terrible has
started for the front.
London, Nov. 1.-THE first infantry
battalions under orders for South
Africa left England today. The Hus-
sars also sailed leaving the House
hold regiment the only cavalry still
to be dispatched. The first battery
of Howitzer artillery has started
Great things are expected of the How
itzer battery of which there are only
three in the British army. There are
signs of the greater part of the Beers
concentrating between Ladysmith and
Colenso but stories are so contradic-
tory it is impossible to assert this
absolutely. True, it is pointed out
that while it cuts off Ladysmith the
risk to the Beers is also great for it
chance to intercept their retreat when
Lord Methuan's division advances
from the southwark, unless mean
while General Joubert succeeds in
crushing the beleaguered garrison.
That the latter is completing prepara'
tions for desperate attacks on Whites
position is not doubted and heavy
fighting may be heard of any moment.
BASUTOS FAITHFUL.
Maseru, Nov. 7-The Basutos con
finue faithful to tie British and re-
fuse to reap the Free State crops
which are rotting. 1t is reported that
a Boer force from Smithfeld have
crossed the frontier at Bethulie. It is
estimated to be 1000 strong with
field guns. me latest advices are
that the Beers had not entered Ali
wal North yesterday but at Bessie
lIral force CT Beers was momentarily
expected 1t is said the Beers have
already captured some police and
others on the outskirts of the place
and Aliwal North is deserted and de
fenceless. The railroad has been cut
at Vryburg two stations south of Ali
wal North. Another Boer force is re
ported to have marched past Burgh-
ersdorp towards Queenstown. The
Transvaal contingent which was ex
pected to joint the Free Staters be
tween Springfontein and Bethulie is
reported delayed by want OF horses.
SURRENDER DEMANDED.
Berkley West. Nov. LA dispatch
received from Kimberly says; Gen
eral Cronje sent a message to Colone
Kekewich calling on him to surrender
before 6 in the morning today, other
wise the town would be shelled, wo
men and children remaining Keke
.wich's risk. The Beers it was added
surrounded Kimberly with great
force with heavy artillery
SMELLING MAFEKING.
Cape Town, Nov. 11-From Mafe
king comes news undated saying that
Monday the Beers shelled the town
One Boer gun was knocked out of &c
tion. The Beers retired but were re
1nforced and attacked again and were
again repulsed. Tuesday they shell
ed Cungan Kopje with little damage
Wednesday there was general at
tack under cover Of artillery but i