The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-10-14

London. October 14.-An Edinburgh
paper. The Scotsman, this morning as
serts that battle has taken place be-
tween General Sir George Stewart
White, commanding the forces in Natal
and the Beers, who entered Natal by
way of Van Reenan's Pass. General
White. the Scotsman says, is very san
guine of the success OF the British move
ment.
The foregoing report is considered to
be correct, as late last night the War
Office had news of British advance
from Ladysmith and was hourly ex-
pecting further intelligence.
A dispatch to the Daily Telegraph
from its correspondent at Ladysmith,
dated at noon on Friday, says:
"A strong mobile column under Gen
eral Sir George Stewart White, accom-
panied by General Sir Archibald Hun
ter, proceeded before daybreak this
morning toward Action Homes for the
purpose of accommodating. General
Whites object was to observe what was
going on, and also TO test the mobility
and efficiency of his forces. All the
men are well, and the weather is now
fine''
According to dispatches from Lady
smith to the Standard and to the Daily
Telegraph dated Thursday, heavy
storms have begun and forage is scarce
on the Veidt.
Therefore nothing is expected to hap
pen for a few days, unless the Beers,
who were reported to be advancing,
should threaten the British line of de-
Tense drawn from Glencoe junction to
Ladysmith. In this case, according to
the dispatches, no apprehension is felt
us to the result General White has
twelve guns and the Beers eleven.
The Daily Mails Cape Town CORE
spondent, telegraphing Friday evening
says:
Il learn on good authority that the
Beers are attacking Mafeking. They
are reported to have already suffered
several repulses. 1t is generally admit
ted that Nryburg cannot stand strong
Boer attack
According to the Daily Mails Cape
Town correspondent Mr.. Schreiner,
Premier of Cape Colony, will unreserved-
ly support the Imperial Government.
His previous reserve was dictated by
residents to excesses.
According to the same authority the
railway department had early intimation
of the intention of the Beers to destroy
railway bridges over fourteen streams,
and sent adequate forces to protect these
points, The result was that the Beers
postponed their attempts
Evart Grobler, member of the Volks-
has Al
comnlandant general of the Free State
forces. He is only 50 years Of age, is
well educated and was Free State dele
gate to the Chicago exhibition.
The correspondent of the Daily Mail
further states that the Free State
forces have completed all preparations
bridge when that action becomes neces-
sary.
ARMORED TRAIN DESTROYED.
Cape Town. Oct. 13.-9:41 Il. ma
dispatch from Vryburg says that an ar
nrcred train has teen destroyed. 1t is
feared that much loss of life will result.
The news has been officially confirmed
FIFTEEN TROOPS KILLED.
London, Oct. 13.-Ihe Evening News
publishes the following dispatch from
Cape Town:
IAN arInored train has been destroyed
South of Mafeling. Fifteen British
troops were killed. The Beers shelled
the wreckage after the train was de-
rallied"
An official dispatch received at the
Colonial Office says:
''Ihe armored train was destroyed near
Kraipan Station while on the way to
Mafeking with gums"
This disposes of the fear that many
women and children were involved IN the
disaster.
1t is reported in Cape Town, though
as yet the rumor is not confirmed, that
collision has taken place between trains
bearing refugees near Victoria West,
Cape Colony. nine persons being killed
and many others injured.
The Boer forces with artillery, accord
ing to dispatch just received from
Standerton, broke camp at Sandspruit
yesterday morning, moving in the direc-
tion of Natal.
The War Office has received the ofl-
lowing dispatch from the general com
manding the Cape forces:
Cape Town Oct. ID 40 p M.
IAN armored train from MafelSing, es-
corting two seveG,pounder gums sent
from here to Mafeking was attacked last
night near Kraipan. Apparently rail had
been removed. The train left the track,