The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-08
THE SITUATION IN N<TAI.

The interruption OF teleRraphic communica-
tion with Burehersdorp In the Cape Colony.
and Estcourt In Natal. reported by the Com
mercial Cable Company's agents. shows that
the Beers are pushing their advantages with
energy. In the case OF Estcourt somo OF their
scouting parties or the commando under Gen.
schalk Burger. reported few days ago To
he moving toward Natal through Hululand.
must have penetrated the Moot Hills; " 80. we
shall hear later OF the interruption OF railway
communication between fstcourt and Pieter-
mari, zburg.
In the meantime there seems reason to doubt
tho accuracy OF the various reports OF heavy
fighting round Ladysmith. and OF tho killing
and capture Of large numbers Of Beers In
sortios by the British garrison that we're tce-
graphed last week. rs there has been no refer
ence to 10 In later Official dispatches. nor TO
casualties on tho British side. What lighting
there has been was caused by the neces-
sity OF preventing the Beers closing in
on the town and bringing their heavy
artillery TO bear more efrectually ON the British
defensive works. II Il to be remarked that
there is no aliusIon in the latest news to the
work Of the British naval guns. from which IL
may be inferred that their special ammunition
10. ~ reported. exhausted. In the fighting re-
ported up to midday Yesterday the British
and twenty wounded.
The news, however. o. most interest, rs
showing how complete the Investment OF
Ladysmith by the Beers IL, is the request m AIDE
by Sir George White to Gen. Joubert to allow
! the non.cotnb atants. sick and wounded to he
sent south. But Gen. Joubert declined. not
| seeing his way to strengthen the defence by
relieving II OF tho maintenance o! the non =
pchtInG population. and suggested Instead
their removal TO a camp outside the town
! where they would be in safety The con-
clusion to be drawn from this aud the state
mrnt that within the circle % the defences the
| residents have moved into bombrroof cor
structions for safety. Is that heavy firing Is OK
pected. 1t Is to be noted. however. that the
news received at the British War ONCE on
which the foregoing Ia based 10 not of1lca but
IL founded on censored despatch from a
correspondent In Ladysmith. forwarded by
the British officer commanding at Estcourt.
The of1clal news. II any. appears to have
been suppressed. From the fact that
what fighting has taken place up to last
reports near Ladysmith has leon near
Dewdrop. on the southwest. and about the
Isambulwana Mountain. TO the eastward. it
looks as II Sir George White was trying to keep
his line OF retreat toward Colcnso disengagci
In the event OF his being obliged to try and cut
| tive to surrender II not relieved IN time. Tho
Beers not having yet blown up tho Colenso
bridge. that avenue 10 still open.
The latest news from Mafeking dates Oct.
| 90 According to II, the Boers had bonn bardsd
| the place without. however. bringing about its
| surrender at that date. There having been no
further news since then from Boer sources Of
the success OF their efforts. the prosum ption is
| that II still holds out.
At mbsrlsy the Boer nre Is said to have sI-
plodsd the dynamite mi Magazine OF tho De Beers.
Company. distant seven miles from the town
| IL does not appear, however. that much dam =
arc was done. at least It 10 not reported. The
| block ade OF the place was becoming closer. and
| the investing force was being Increased. pre-
| sumhbly by Bechuanaland Commands.
The reports OF tho Bester's Hill engagement
near Ladysmith last Thursday como from
native sources which are VIGOROUSLY unrelia :
| BILE. and the statement that the Beers tieaoher-
| ously displayed white nag as tho British adj
vanoed needs confirmation. Tho charge has
| already been made by some Of the corrsspon-
| dents, but II has not been borne out BY any Of
the offioial reports sent to the British War
once. and the oharaster OF the Intercourse boz
tween tho two opposing Generals 10 sufficient
| dlsprcof OF IT,