Omaha daily bee., 1899-10-13
BOERS POURING INTO NATAL
Dutch Occupy Lnihg's Mex and Ingogo
Heights the Moment Of Ultima
tum's Expiration.


LONDON, Oct. IA special from Lady
smith says: The Beers occupied Laing's
Mex the moment the ultimatum expired.
They are now pouring into Natal and lngogo
Heights have been occupied.
Official confirmation of the announcement
that the Orange Free State burghers have
entered Natal by way OF Van Reenen's
pass is at hand. 1t leaves no further room
for doubt that acts of war have already
been committed and that the campaign has
begun.
News of an invasion on the northern
border is also generally accepted as re-
liable. 1t seems improbable, therefore, that
a clash between the forces Of Briton and
Boer can long be delayed, If, indeed, it has
not occurred already.
This mornings dispatches furnish ample
details of the situation on the frontier and
enable a clearer exposition of the military
status. 1t now seems that the Beers intend
to act In two columns, those from the Trans
vaal working from the north and those from
the Orange Free State working from the
west, with the object OF keeping the British
forces at Ladysmith and Dundee occupied,
while parties Of Beers slip past to destroy
the bridges along the railway forming the
line OF communication between the British
at Durham, Natal. the advanced base at
1t is regarded as possible that the Beers
will attempt to occupy Estcourt, where
there are only 100 men OF the naval brigade,
and the news that the Beers are raiding
Zululand In the neighborhood OF Eshowe Is
taken as confirmation OF this possibility.
An easy road connects Eshowe and Est
court through Greytown and Pampoennek;
and from Greytown it is also an easy reach
to Howick, to the south. If the bridges
along the Umgeni river were destroyed this
would increase the difficulty of reinforcing
the British
Believe Ii Feint.
However. 1t is Still suspected that the en-
tire Boer concentration on the frontiers OF
Natal may be merely an elaborate feint to
draw off attention from Mafeking. which
many experts regard as the real objective
OF the Beers. successful dash there would
give the Beers great prestige with the dis
affected Afrikanders in Cape Colony
Colonel Baden Powells movement at
Mafekng this morning is held to indicate
that he is not prepared for sharp fighting,
but probably expects 1t at that point
a dispatch from Mafeking, under todays
date, says that Colonel Baden Powell has
Just sent strong British force from Mafe-
king toward the border with a field gun and
ambulances, presumably with view OF oc-
cupying advantageous defensive high ground
Dispatches from Durham, Natal, confirm
the report that the Orange Free State au-
| thorities seized a train that was leaving
Ladysmith yesterday morning for Harri.
smith. They also stopped train due to
leave Harrlsmith in the afternoon
All the rolling stock has been ordered
down the country out Of reach OF seizure.
| 1t is understood that telegraphic CON.
| munication with the Transvaal ceased
punctually at o'clock yesterday afternoon
| (Transvaal time).
Tho Free State burgers, according to a
private message just received in the city of
| London, have crossed the Orange river into
Cape olony and have occupied Philipstown
Their object, It is supposed is TO cut the
| railway at De Aar Junction, which is con-
| sldered an important strategic point.
According to dispatch from Capetown IL
! is asserted there that the Beers have ar
ranged with Chief Linch We a prominent
chief on the northwestern border, TO take
up arms against Great Britain
Pleases the nritishers.
The afternoon papers express great salts
faction that the American government has