The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-10-25
/" DOCTORED" THE
WAR REPORTS.
\ (OoFinped from Page one.)
FIGHTING AT LADYSMITH.

A''AA A~NN \ l--Al( MI II.
a special dispatch from Cape Town
dated 910 this morning says there has
lRen another battle at Ladysmith, and
that the Beers were repulsed. The
British casualties We're placed at four
killed and seven wounded, all rank and
file
General White has telegraphed TO the
war Office from Rietfontein. under date
OF october "a. saying that in the fight
ing near Ladysmith. twelve of the Brit
ish force were killed and eighty wound
ed ana that five are missing, the casu-
alties being mostly among the Glouces-
ter regiment.
London, oct. 25.-A special dispatch
from Ladysmith dated October 2S says
the troop Of the 18th Hussars which got
astray in pursuing the Beers after the
battle OF Glencoe, has arrived at Lady
smith, the troopers having fought their
way through. with the loss Of three
horses.
INTERFERENCE FEARED
The extent of the British naval pre-
paratiOns revealed by today's informa-
ton, causes a strong reiteration of
the rumors of serious interference. 1t
is now said that Rear Admiral Lord
Charles Beresford viii command the
Mediterranean squadron. and details of
the activity at dockyards and naval
stations are coming In hot and fast
The Associated Press learns, however
that whether or not Great Britain fears
Russian or French aggression the naval
preparations have been under consid-
GRAFTON for several months IT is the
-admraltY,s intention TO put -them in
force as soon as war with the Trans
Vaal was declared deeming il necessary
20 increase the active strength OF the
navy in order to ensure the large fleet
Of transports against every possible
contingency.
THE QUESTION OF THE HOUR.
Whether later developments have
transformed the admiralty's precau-
tionary measures into preparations for
a naval demonstration necessitated by
European hostility. Is the question of
the hour. and Il is as much a mystery
90 many high naval officers as to the
public. The exact condition Of affairs
consists Of ordering the naval reserves
to be in readiness 20 rejon their ships
at % hours notice, while all the cruisers
OF the reserve class have been notified
to be ready 10 sail in the same time
limit. These vessels. though at the
dock yards. arc never out of commits
sion. and are always supposed to be
ready for immediate manning.
A dozen cruisers ranging from 5000 TO
! 900 tons are now only waiting the
word TO embark the crews. In addition
To these preparations work on the un-
completed vessels is being hurried day |
and night The special attention being |
paid TO the cruisers by many naval au- |
thOrities indicates that Great Britain is |
TO form "a menace flying squadron using |
the term "Menacing" because the ma /
val force at sea now is ample TO con-
voy the transports and is thoroughly |
capable of preventing any interference |
in South African waters.
ON VERGE OF A CRISIS.
While the officials do not conceal
their knowledge of German, French and |
Russian antagOnism and their irrita-
tiOn thereat they do not give the slight
est hint Of probability that European
hostility will crystalize into any overt
act
But the belief that Great Britain is
on the verge of crisis or even a conflict
far greater than that in the Transvaal
has many supporters though the hack
of all official confirmation faVors the
conservative views that the remarkable
military and naval activity Is due to |
desire to take thorough precautions |
which. though ominous have at pres
cnt no special bearing upon Great Brit
ans European relations.