Omaha daily bee., 1899-10-12
1t is Now Mensced by -Four Thousand Boer
Under Commandant CrOpje.
ONLY SIX HUNDRED MN TO DEFEND IT
News Of the shelling and Advance on Mafe-
king Looked For Hourly.
NO sUccOR CAN Be AFFORDED THE PLACE
Kimberly the Only Place Sufficiently
Garrisoncd, But the Troops There
Arc All Needed 10 Guard the
Diamond Mines.


copyright, 1899, by Press Publishing Coz |
LONDON, Oct 1l-(New Work World Ca
blegram-Special Telegram. )-1ntense excite
ment prevails in expectation Of an Immediate
aggressive move by the Beers. Much anxiety
is felt at the war ofi.e concerning the Brit
ish position at Mafeking, frontier station
on the Bechuanaland border, whence the
Jameson raid started. Its defense is com
mitted to a force of 600 men specially raised,
and commanded by Colonel Baden Powell.
This corps is menaced by 1000 Beers under
Commandant Cronie, who defeated Jameson
at Krugersdorp. He is regarded as the ablest
general in the Boer service and is fired with
violent hatred OF the British. Cronje has
the confidence and represents the aspira-
tions OF the young Boer party, which dis
trusts Joubert as old and overcautious.
Baden Powell is a brother Of the late Sir
George Baden Powell at some time Berng
sea arbitration commissioner. He has had
considerable South African military expert
ence, but only in quelling native rislngs'
The war oftce anticipates that Cronje VIII
shell Mafeking, as he has strong force OF
artillery officercd by Germans with his com
mando. No succor can be afforded Mafeking
for five days as Kimberly cannot spare any
of its $500 men, who are needed TO deieno
DeBeers diamond mines. News OF the she'll
ing and descent on Mafeking is hourly ex-
pected.
No apprehension Is entertained OF the
nbiIity of the British forces in Natal TO
offer successful defense, though the boels
are expected to occupy Newcastle, Which is
undefended, in order to secure control OF
the railway to that point, but Ladysmlth'
Glencoe and Dundee are considered perfectly
safe from any attack the Beers may iauhch
against them. There are 5000 troops al
Ladysmith and in ten days Sir George White
will have $1,000 men, including three reg
iments OF first-class cavalry, with nve DAT
teries OF artillery on the Cape Colony Dor
der. Kimberly is the only place sufncientiy
rarrisoned and the population contains a
large proportion OF Dutch who will probably
offer no resistance to the sBoer advance,
though 1t is not believed any considerable
number will assist 1t. The Beers, however
they may harass the frontier posts, are not
likely to attempt an invasion Of the colony
hut will rely on stubborn defensive action
when the army corps arrives under General
Butler. This event is now put back tc
Christmas. The war, therefore. Is expected
to be Of desutory character.
The latest estimates of Boer strength pu
q total Of o. 900 men distributed as follows
On the western frontier, 2,O00 against Kim
berly, 5000; on Drakenburg, 1000; Nolks
rust and Utrecht, $1,000; Portuguese frontier
2OO0 The Orange Free State has lo,Ooo II
the field, but they are largely neutralized
owing to the lengthy frontier line ana neces
sary guarding against invasion by the Basu
tos, the most formidable fighting natives II
70 tha SnIt nd
Kafir tribe which goes into battle mounted
This morning heavy bear raid was mad
on Kafhr stocks, the principal ones drop
ping several points, but later they recovered
somewhat. After lunch the members re
Iieved their feelings by formally declaring
Kruger a defaulter and he was hammered
amid great enthusiasm, though eventually, !
is believed, the Rand mines will becom
more valuable property than ever. There !
likely to be prolonged slump,as even II tn
Beers do not blow them up heavy cost will
be incurred by stoppage and accumulation
OF water in the workings.
All Cables Delayed.
No news has been received SO far Of an.
outbreak of hostiities. There is again
lack OF cables owing to the great pressur
of the official matter. So far the militar,
authorities at Capetown have instituted
censorship over kilograms. Even those mos
received are a day old, but all show gen
eral expectation Of an immediate Boer ad
vance. Bennett Burleigh, cabling the Dali
Telegraph from Ladysmith Wednesday at
O'Clock, says:
"War has begun and the Beers are in tn
Natal Free State. The burghers have ais
seized the Harrlsmith train this Afternoon
at that place. 1t is the property OF tn
Natal government. Tonight companies o
infantry will bivouac within few mile
of our force, which is standing to arms
and the outposts have been strengthened
Last night a mounted patrol was stoned b
the Beers. The mems orders were not
fire until fired upon"
The Daily Mails Pietermaritzburg cor
respondent cables. Tuesday;
early this morning II was reported froI
Iadysmith that the Beers crossed the Ere
State border yesterday in force and wer
advancing on LadysmltN. No great import
ance is attached to the report for the siz
OF the Boer force appears to have been ex
aggerated and the Beers have crossed tn
border in small parties, There Is grea
activity in military volunteer circles her'
The probability is that Newcastle will b
passed by and the Boer attack Will be de
llvered simultaneously at Glencoe and Lady
smith, which are fully prepared TO met
It,"
The Morning Posts Pietermaritzburg col
respondent, cabling at 4:l0 Wednesday even
ing, says:
Though war may now be said to hay
been entered on. 1t is not anticipated heI
that hostilties will begin before Friday"