Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-16
SlLENCE.AIS MOST 0MlNOUS
Remarkable Denrth of News from
cities Besiegcd by the Beers
Causcs Alarm.

LONDON, Nov. 15.--If the news contained
in the Pretoria dispatch OF Thursday, NO
vember g., by way of Capetown, Friday,
November 10, is correct, and there is every
reason to believe 1t Is accurate as the Boer
dispatches have almost invariably hitherto
rendered fairly accurate accounts, 1t is as
serted here that 1t implies a general assault
on Ladysmith was pending when General
Joubert's report was sent of. Attention is
called to the fact that the date, November
9, is assumed to be the date of General
Whites late pigeon post message announc-
ing a renewal of the bombardment, since
which nothing has been received. except
rumors from Estcourt, that the lombard
ment was suspended November 10.
1t Is asserted that IL the Beers got their
forces within 1,500 yards of the British posi-
tion it shows they fully realized the neces-
sity of utilizing the brief interval before the
arrival Of the British reinforcements to make
determined attempt to storm General
Whites position.
To successfully advance so close to Lady
smith, 1t is pointed out, the
Beers must have been most active
in intrenching and the nearness OF
the besieging lines. 1t is added indicates
their readiness for the. assault, which there
has been a disposition in military circles to
believe the Beers were not willing to under
take. 1t must, however, have been patent
to General Joubert that Ladysmth would
not fall to the fire of his artillery, and,
therefore, he had no choice but to assault the
place or retire to the passes Of the Drakens-
burg in the hope of involving the pursuing
British in the intricate Businesses of the
mountains The cessation of the cannonade
mentioned in the dispatch and the opening
a,. ,, a 81,
Beers were obliged to stop their artillery
for fear of hitting their own men, and that
nothing further has been heard from this
movement is regarded here as an indication
either that the threatened assault was post
poned or that the result was indecisive,
otherwise, it is said, something further
would have leaked out before now.
Discredit French Stories.
A Paris paper today gleefully announces
the fall and capture of Ladysmith, but re-
ports from this source no longer cause
ripple of excitement. Nevertheless there
will be considerable anxiety here until the
war Office or some Independent version of the
latest developments at Ladysmith is known.
A private message from Mafekng reports
that all was well7there Monday, November 6.
The details of the fighting at Mafeking re-
celVed Dy way OF CapetoWn ana Magalapye
relate to the engagement of October %, al
ready reported. The story, however, is pleas
ant reading to the British. as 1t shows the
garrison was cheerful, we'll provisioned and
confident.
The possible revolt of the Basuto
chief, JOEL who, 1t has been announced, may
join the Beers, is attributed to tribal jeal-
ousy. There has been long feud between
the half brothers, Jonathan and Joel, the
latter refusing to recognize his brothers
nomination as chief Joel therefore took an
anti British side against Jonathan in 1880
and committed most hdeous atrocities II
he joins the Beers 1t is prophesed Chiefs
Jonathan and others are liable
to make short work of the recacltrants.