Omaha daily bee., 1899-10-17
ESTABLISHED JUNE 10, 1871

tion but although the forces are likely TO
have come into contact all alleged details
must be regarded as premature and specu-
lative, especially IL the report be true that
the Orange Free State troops are now in
complete possession of the railway from
Kimberley to Orange river, seventy miles
away. The alleged virulence Of the Beer
attacks upon Mafeking and Kimberley can
readily be understood when 1t is realized
that Bcchuanaland is to the Beers what AL
SAGE Lorraine is to France 1t is therefore
probable that both towns will be forced to
undergo a long and dreary investment before
the British are in a position to send re-
lieving column.
On the other side of the country the Beers
are closing around the British outposts and
have already come into touch with them and
exchanged shots. Therefore more stirring
news Is expected.
Many Reports of Battles.
Advices from Capetown relate that excite
ment is kept up there by ceaseless reports
Of battles, but that little uneasiness is visible
In official circles where the opinion prevails
that Mafeking and Kimberley are safe. 1t is
thought, too. that the Beers are not likely to
attack Vryburg, in Bechuanaland, owing to
the fact that the population of that district
is largely Dutch.
1t is assumed that the refusal OF the Beers
to accept battle in Natal last week, when
General Sir George Stewart White advanced
and endeavored to draw them through Van
Reenans pass, indicates their unwilingness
to commence hosilities
On the other hand the Beers are probably
too astute to play the British game at the
risk of an engagement on ground where ar
1aru I1 Ira IL,
airy moved rapidly.
The narrow city streets adjoining the
Guild hall and Stock exchange today were
crowded. The Immediate occasion was the
meeting convened by the lord mayor of Lon
don, Sir John Voce Moore, to declare the
confidence of business men in the city proper
in the South African policy OF the govern
ment
Hundreds Of members Of the Stock and
Wool exchanges and great banking and un-
derwriting firms formed procession in front
of their various offices and marched to the
Guild hall, singing the national airs and
waving flags, accommodating masses OF people
at every turn. The Guild hall was packed
with people. A band stationed in the or
| chestral gallery led off in patriotic airs
which were taken up by the audience amid
the waving of numberlesss union Jacks.
The lord mayor and sheriffs were loudly
cheered on arriving and the name of Presi-
dent Kruger provoked storm Of 'poohs :"
resolution extolling the premier, Lord
Salisbury, and the secretary of state for the
colonies, Mr.. Chamberlain was proposed by
the lord mayor, seconded by Sir John Lub-
book, unionist member of parliament for
London university, and enthusiastically
adopted.
Patriotic demonstrations took place today
at Birmingham, Crewe and other towns
from which reserves started for Aldershot.
The Atlantic Transport company, which
gave the United States government ship
for hospital purposes during the war with
Spain, has now done Great Britain similar
service. The admiralty have gladly accepted
the vessel. which will be named the Maine.
The War Office issued the following note
this afternoon with respect to the situation
in South Africa:
The dispatches received do not point to
any material change in the situation. Small
bodies Of Beers are reported to have crossed
the Natal frontier at various points and en-
trenchments are said to have been thrown
up at Van Reenen's pass"
Cutting on Communication.
CAPETOWN, Oct. 16.-The Orange Free
State troops have cut the telegraph wires and
destroyed the railway track at Norvalspont,
just across the Free State southern border.
dispach from Dundee, Natal says that
a Boer commando, estimated at 1000 men,
with sixteen field guns, has reached Damn
hauser, northeast of Dundee, with the prob
able intention of surrounding Dundee, and is
cutting off the garrison from a communica-
lion with Glencoe and Ladysmth. 1t is sup
posed that this force is commanded by Com
! mandant Viljoen and comprises the German
gunners.
The rest of the Boer force from Newcastle
Is believed to be marching around Glencoe to
sever its connection with Ladysmith AS the
| refugees in Capetown threaten to become
| troublesome and have hooted and mobbed a
number of leading Dutchmen, there is some
| expectation that martial law will be pro-
| claimed
| Warming to Dutch in Natal.
! DURHAM, Oct 1.-two extraordinary ga
| zettes have been issued. The first proclaims
martial law in the Newcastle, Dundee Kip
River, Unsiga and Upper Tugila divisions
The reason given is belief that Natal sub
| jects have Joined the invading Beers and as
sisted the enemy.
| The other gazette reminds British subjects
! of their obligations to the queen and warns
| them to abstain from intercourse and trade
with the Transvaal and the Orange Free
| State.
The Evening News publishes a dispatch
from Capetown saying that as the Cape min
istry refused to call out the volunteers for
the defense of the colony. the imperial au-
thorities have done so, On the other hand,
the Capetown correspondent of the Daily
Chronicle declares that the imperial au-
thorities have never suggested any such
action and he asserts that the widespread
report regarding the resignation or intended
resignation OF the Cape premier, Mr..
Schreiner, is incorrect.
ADDRESS OF QUEEN VICTORIA