Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1899-10-19
SOUTH AFRICAN WAX
Very Little Change in the Situation
Is Noticed in London.
ATTEMPT TO WRECK HOSPITAL TRAIN
Kimberly Besieged by Beers, Who Are Try
ing to Capture Cecil Rhodes-BOers Oc-
cupy Newcastle and Raise Their
Flag Over the Town Hall.

London, Oct. 16.-So far as actual
news is concerned, very little change
in the situation is noticed The state
of affairs at Mafeking can only be con-
jectured. The occupation of New
castle by the Beers was prepared for
and expected, the place having been
abandoned by the British. The Beers
are reported to be menacing Kim berly.
Very heavy rains and SHOWS are re-
ported, which hamper the Boer move
ments and they are finding that they be-
gan too late to easily obtain the initial
successes counted upon. They evil
IDENTIFY find the advance upon Lady
smith difficult, either from the north
or west, as Gen. Sir George Stewart
Whites reconnaissance seems to have
sufficed to deter them for the present.
The peaks of the Drakensberg range
are now covered, and the storms which
have occurred must have caused the
Beers great discomfort, which probably
explains their failure to attack Gen.
White.
ATTEMPT TO WRECK A HOSPITAL TRAIN.
Vryburg, Cape Colony, Oct. 16.-A
hospital train that started for Mari
bogo has just returned after an adven-
turous journey. 1t had reached curve
on culvert 700 yards south of Mari
bogo and had just slackened speed
when it was observed that the rails
ahead had been upturned. The brakes
were applied but the engine passed
on to one rail partly raised and was
partly derailed. The occupants i'm
mediately righted the engine. At the
same time it was observed that party
of Beers were galloping into line east
of the railway but well on the Cape
Colony side of the border. The train
ran back to Vryburg at full speed, the
engine flying a white flag with a red
cross. 1t is learned that previous to
the starting of the train, Mari bogo teIe-
phoned Vryburg asking that the train
be sent up as all was quite safe. The
operator at Vryburg recognized the
voice as that of European store clerk.
In view of the subsequent report that
the Beers were removing the rails, it
is believed the Beers compelled the
clerk to speak through the telephone.
KIMBERLY BEsIEGED BY BOERs.
London, Oct. 16.-The Daily Nails
Cape Town correspondent, telegraph
ing Sunday evening, says:
Kimberly is besieged and the Beers are
massing in force. The Beers have cut the rail-
tein railway station and constructed fortified
earthworSs. There are strong defending forces
at Modder bridge and the Orange river bridge
The object of these energetic operations is be-
lieved to be the capture of Cecil Rhodes. Kim
berly is now isolated, both railway and tele-
graphic communication being cut
BOER FLAG PLANTED AT NEWCASTLE.
London, Oct. 16.-The Daily Mails
Glencoe camp correspondent, under
date of Sunday, says: ga force under
Commandant Viljoen from Spitzkep oc-
cupied Newcastle Saturday afternoon,
and, it is reported, planted their flag
over the town hall. 1t is rumored that
the Beers have captured police patrol
of six men at De Jager's drift on the
Buffalo river"
A BOER ATTACK CONTEMPLATED.
Durham, Oct. 16.--CommunicatiOn by
means of scouts is maintained be-
tween Ladysmith and Acton Homes,
which it is reported the Beers from
Tintwa pass contemplate attacking.
The Free State lager below Van
Reenan's pass is said to be four miles
long and to have at least II guns. 1t
is expected that it will await the
British attack.