The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-11-05

Roers have occupied Colenso and the
| British forces have abandoned the place.
l-adysmith is cut off from communication
with Cape Town, and there is nothing for
the British to do but, anxiousIy await
developments
SERIOUS FOR BRITISH.
The evacuation of Colenso is undoubt
edly most serious matter for the Brit
ish in Natal, as it not only testifies to
the complete investment OF Ladysmith
by the Beers, but makes the relief OK
Gen. Sir George Stewart White an ex-
tremely difficult operation.
Colenso is the point where the railway
from Ladysmith crosses the Tuegla riv-
er, which Is now in flood. The town it
self is of small Importance. 1t is domi-
mated by the hills on the north side OF
the river, and untenable If the Beers
have advanced as they seem to have
done. Moreover, only a small naval and
colonial force was stationed at Colenso.
The seriousness Of the evacuation, how
ever, lies in the fact that Commandant
General Joubert, while completely in
Vesting Sir George White at Ladysmith
can seize the Tuegla bridge, and II he
has sufficient troops, can detach force
and send 1t southwark on Pietermaritz-
burg, and, in any case, by destroying
the bridge and railway, can prevent
relief expedition reaching Sir George
White for some time.
WHAT JOUBERT MAY DO.
Military men optimistically predict tkst
Gen. JoUbert will withdraw from Natal
Immediately Sir Redvers Buffers force
enters the Free State, but tho latter can
not be far on his way for at least three
or four weeks, and even then Gen. Jou-
bert may not decide to intercept the
British on the Free State soil which
would suit the British general admirably,
but he may walt until the last moment
and then proceed by train back to Pre-
tcria and take up a strong defensive pO-
sition on the range of hills lying IN
front of johannesburg and Pretoria.
Thus Gen. Joubert might remain in Natal
several weeks longer, endeaVoring to
force Sir George White into capitulation.
the destruction of the Tuegla river bridge
helping him to keep off British relief.
Moreover, another Boer force is re-
ported to have marched through Zulu
land in the direction Of Durham, and al
ready to have reached the Natal frontier.
Thus 1t will be seen the position in Natal,
taking into consideration a possible up
rising of the disaffected Dutch, Is most
disquieting, and, in fact. may be de-
scribed as critical. British reinforce
ments in any number cannot reach Dur
pan USIOTS lilS emu OA next WtSh.
FIGHTING AT LADYSMITH.
A special from LRdysmith, dated Nov.
2, morning, says:
During the night the Beers moved
closer to tho British positions and mount
ed guns in fresh places. Meanwhile the
naval guns have been moved to more
favorable positions, nearer the town, and
commanding some of the Boer batteries.
At o'clock this morning Gen. White
ordered the bombardment of the enemy,
and the blue jackets opened the ball.
The Beers replied vigorously. They fired
straight and some of the British were
hit A terrible artillery duel has been
proceeding for over three hours So far
the naval guns are the only ones that
have engaged the enemy
ARTILLERY DUEL BRISK.
LONDON Nov 5-A special dispatch
from Gadysmith bearing date of Nov.
says:
1.-The artillery duel is proceeding splen~
didly. The British guns are firing three
shots to the Beers one"
a special dispatch from Cape Town.
dated Nov 2, says the Beers occupied
Colesburg on Wednesday, meeting with
no opposition from the Cape police. who
yielded to superior force"
The departure of transports for South
Continued ON Sixth Page.