The record-union., 1899-10-25
ion must remain disquieting for the

criticise Lord Wolseleys summary OF
the Natal situation. They say it has
a distinct resemblance to the state
ments of the Spanish ministry when
preparing their countrymen for news
of the disaster at Santiago. This, how
ever, is probably an overstrained view.
There is no denying, however, the grea
suspense and anxiety existing, which
has been increased by the report in cir
culation purporting to emanate from
Official quarters to the effect that the
Beers have secured the Sc vices of 49,
coo natives.
The vague and varied estimates OF
Boer losses and the absence of any off
cial information on the subject are also
arousing misgivings as to whether the
beaten enemy suffered proportionarely
to the disastrous losses of the victors.
One of the most disquieting stories
comes from Ladysmith. 1t is to the
effect that an Englishman, who arrived
there from Dundee on Sunday evening,
after escaping through the Boer lines
on the previous night, said that tht
enemy was then shelling the camp and
town with heavy guns, while the shells
of the British were unable to reach the
enemy's batteries. Consequently, the
man is said to have added, the camp
was shifted a mile or so, in order TO be
out of the reach of the Beers, who were
firing on the magazine in the town.
News has at length been received
direct from Colonel Baden Powell. dat
ed Mafeking, October 18th. 1t con-
tains the statement that in the ar
mored train fight the British had two
men killed and fifteen wounded, TIE
latter including Lieutenant Lord
Charles Benedict of the Ninth Lancers
Slightly wounded.
The Boer loss was estimated at fifty
three killed and many wounded.
The latest adviees from Kimberly
under date. of October Dist, said the
Boer attack was still pending and that
large Boer forces in the neighborh9ol
had destroyed big sections of the rail
road Line north and south of the town.
Many fugitives from neighboring vii
lages have been imprisoned by the
Beers. Several ladies, hearing their hus-
bands had been captured, visited the
Boer camp and were courteously re-
ceived. Their intercession for their
husbands was successful and the re
united families have arrived at kim :
berly. The prisoners report that they
were we'll treated.
According to runners, who have ar
rived at Kimberly from KurIman, Brit
ish Bechuanaland, the resident inagis-
trate there has recently presided at a
of "a chi of I'D
vised them not to participate in the
war. The natives expressed satisfac-
ton at the magistrates explanations
and promised to remain quiescen-.
A dispatch from Pretoria, dated Oc-
tober Goth, indicates that the Rhode
slams, under Colonel Plumer, at Fort
Tull, on the Transvaal border. are taxi
ing the offensive. They have attacked
Boer patrol at Rhodes drift, but ap-
parently not mucn damage was done
on either side. The Beers say that
they lost three horses.
Germany has sent to follow the Brit
ish forces in South Africa her military
attache in London, Captain Baron Won
Luttwitz, who married Miss Mamie
Cary of Cleveland, O.
The British military authorities hope
to have the wireless telegra phy in
operation in South Africa within three
weeks, when, it is hoped, tie difficult
ties experienced from the cutting of
wires will be obviated, as it will only
be necessary to establish communica-
ton with a point where the ordinary
wires are intact
RECKLESSNESS OF THE BASUTOS.
LONDON, Oct. 24.-The Colonial Of
fee this evening published dispatch
received from the British High Com
missioner in South Africa, Sir Alfred
Miner, communicating a significant
dispatch from Sir Godfrey Laigden. the
British resident Commissioner in Basut-
GLAND, calling attention to the reckless
ness OF the Basutos, who, he says, he
has been trying to calm. The resident
Commissioner adds:
Our policy, however, has been made
difficult by the clustering of the Beers
NhO have freely threatened to attack
Masuru and other stations. These
threats, combined with intriguing
have contributed to rouse excitemen,
among the natives l wish to place on
tempted to shake the allegiance of the
Basutos and Illustrate our efforts to-
ward tranquility. The Beers, there
fore, are responsible for any commo-
ton and for the alarm regarding ma
tive invasions which now prevails -
A dispatch from Kuruman, dated
October 18th, via the Orange River
says a dispatch rider had furnished de-
tails of the fight at Mafeking or Octo-
Der 14th. They confirm the Associated
Press advices, and show that Colonel
Fitzclarence's squadron was nearly out
flanked by the Beers. The armored
train was unable to assist the squad
ron for fear of hitting the British sol
diers. Colonel Baden-Powell signaled
TO FitZclarence to retire, but the latter
replied that he was hampered by his
wounded, could not desert them. and
could not return without reinforce
ments. Lieutenant Lord Charles Bent
lex of the Ninth Lancers was then or
dered with a squadron to lisengage
Fitzclarence, and the retreat was eff
fected in good order.
The efficiency of the arIuored train
was thoroughly proven. the crew DID
great execution. While the fighting was
proceeding outside, the townsmen stood
by the defenses of the town Splendid
spirit is said to have been shown by
every one, even the women shouldering
Lee Metford rifles. which they know
! how TO handle.
Major Baillie had an exciting expert
ence near Mafeking while attempting
to convey orders from the enemy %,
yards away. A hot fire was opened or
him and Baillie's water bottle was
shattered. The next moment his horse