The Jersey City news., 1899-11-16

IS JOUBERT DEAD?
Report From British Sources
Say He Was Killed No
vember 9.
TROOPS REACH EsTCOURT
Boer Shells Have Done Little
Damage-Aim Seems
Erratic.

[By Cable to The Associated Press.J
LONDON, Nov. 1s. 1899 The most
startling news from the seat Of war today
is the report Of the death of General Piet
Joubert, the Commander-in-Chief Of the
Boer forces. Though the report comes
from many different quarters. it is OBJ
vious that the report needs confirmation
before it can be accepted as true. At the
same time, many people believe the re-
port to be well founded, as the Generals
death is said to have occurred November
9, when the Boer rifiemen were understood
to be within 1900 yards of Ladysmith. AS
severe fighting between the British and
the Beers the same day has since been
reported, 1t is regarded in some quarters
as quite possible that General Joubert,
always noted for his personal courage
and GOODNESS. may have dangerously exss
posed himself in a personal reconnats-
sance of the British position. If Joubert
were really killed on the battlefield. 1t
would seem to be the f1ttest deathbed for
such gallant soldier. Even his most Bit
ter enemies admit that he fought sqilarely
and fairly, and his action when
General symons died. in expressing his
sympathy, elevated him to the high re-
death of Joubert would be likely to lead
to the adoption by the Beers of holder
and more active tactics, as 1t is well
known General Joubert was a cautious
and conservative commander, and that he
had considerable difficulty In restraining
his hot-headed followers.
The driblets of news this morning bring
the information that Ladysnith was still
V
six 40-pounders, while the British naval
guns were silent. The Beers, it conse-
quently appears, have got more heavy
guns into position. while either the British
ammunition has given out or the British
gunners are simply reserving their fire, In
view of the poor practice made by the
besiegers.
The reports that the Beers have pene-
trated southward from, ,Colenso to Chieve-
ly. where they are said to have cut the
railroad, shows, 1t is claimed, that they
are adopting a proper strategical plan
to impede the advance of the British re-
lieving force. Perhaps this may turn out
to be General Schalk Burgers force,
which, when last heard from, was raiding
Zululand. This force, 1t is asserted, may
next be heard from south of Estcourt,
which they will, in all likelihood. attempt
to Isolate before further reinforcements
arrive Indeed, 1t is already reported that
a Boer force has been seen In the neigh
borhood of the line north of the Mooi
River.
According to the latest advices, from
British sources, at Estcourt the Beers are
suffering from lack of supplies, though
the large stores the British left when they
evacuated Newcastle and Dundee must
have been of great assistance to the Boer
commissariat. But the task of maintain
ing a complete investment of Ladysmith
is probably proving onerous. Ladysmith
seems to be well provisioned and the en-
trenchments are daily being strengthened
The Beers have renamed Dundee Mey-
ersdorp.'' after General Lucas Meyer,
whose forces fought those of General Sy-
mons there. 1t is said this morning that
two hundred wounded of General Mey 3
force arrived at Pretoria the next day.
There are signs that a forward move
ment for the relief of Kimberley may be
expected shortly. There is great activity
at De Aar, situated, on the railroad,
about 15o miles south of Kimberley,
whence the advance appears likely to be
reason for this unless food at Kimberley
is getting low. but, 1t is added, the moral
effect would be good for the British
The greatest enthusiasm was shown this
morning at the departure from Newport
Of a mountain battery of the Royai Ar
tillery. consisting of six guns. thousands
of people lined the streets, cheering ana
singing. and the battery had difficulty IN
reaching the train through the dense
| crowds. This was the last mountain bat
tery remaining In England either others
being In India and the tenth having been
captured by the Beers at Nicholson's Mex.
Nothine is known at the War Office or
the reported death of General Joubert.
The British Admiralty has chartered
Etbe Dominion line steamer Canada for
use as a troopship.
4 snecial despatch from Durham. dated
Monday. November 10, says that a mem-
her Of the Natal Field Force, who has
succeeded in traversing the Boer lines with
T.adysmith dispatches, has arrived at
Pietermaritzburg and reports that a deter
mined attack was made by the Beers on
the British garrison, which was quite pre-
pared and met the advance with such
a heavy and well directed fire that the
Boer swere driven off, leaving many dead
II Is also said that British and Boer
natrols came in touch and exchanged
shots near F'rere, South OF Colenso.
a special despatch from Pietermaritx-
/ burg says that an armored train, engag-
ea in accommodating, was attacked by
the Raers with the result that one Brit
-, saldiar was killed and fifteen are