River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1899-11-02
TO FIGHT VERY SOON.
British and Boer Forces Massed
at Ladysmith.
Latter outnumbers Former by About
5000 Men-A Decisive Engage
ment Sure TO occur--Anx-
iety In London.

Ladysmith, Oct. 30.-The Beers are
gradually closing around Ladysmith.
They have mounted two big guns on
Tinta Ingoni, 1900 yards from the
British camp. An attack is expected.
The British intelligence department
is completely informed regarding the
Boer plans. The enemy have planted
two guns, said to be those used in she'll
ing Dundee, on copie 21a miles away,
in the direction of Elandslaagte.
The British believe the Boer plan is
to crush Ladysmith garrison with a
part of its force, while other burghers
overrun Natal, striking Pietermaritz-
burg and Durham. Beers from Will
moth are reported to be menacing Dur
ban.
Causes Anxiety.
London, Oct. 30.-The position at La
dysmith, without being alarming, is
sufficiently dangerous to excite anxiety
Evidently the Beers are trying to re-
peat their Dundee tactics Roughly es-
timated, they have 1900 men, as
against $4,000 British. Gen. Sir George
Stewart White has the better artillery,
but his is of lesser range. The delay in
the Boer attack is reported to be due
to the nonarrival of Commandant Gen.
Joubert's column. This has given the
British a much needed respite after
their recent eXertions. Everything, il
is now considered, hinges upon Gen.
Whites resource and judgment. Moth
ing is known regarding the progress of
defensive works for the protection of
Ladysmith
Joubert I'm Command.
London, Oct. 30.--The Daily Mail pub
fishes the following dispatch from
Pietermaritzburg, dated Sunday: Pa
trolls from Ladysmith report that there
are four large Boer camps within a
radius of Ten miles, extending in a semi
circle northeast of the town. Evident
ly the enemy is concentrating all his
forces. Commandant Gen. Joubert is
in supreme command. One Boer lager
has a Red Cross tent carefully posted
in conspicuous position. The British
had several skirmishes with the enemy
Sunday. Railway communication is
still intact.
Bombardment of Mafeking.
Cape Town. Oct. 30.-A dispatch from
Mafeking, dated October %, says: A
bombardment of the city was COM
menced by the Beers at 40 o'clock this
morning from a range of 2% miles by
battery of three krupp guns throw
ing seven, nine and underground ex-
plosive shells. At the beginning the
craftsmanship was erratic, but ulti-
mately the gunners got the range and
~ - ~.
Comparatively little damage was done.
A convent which had been converted
into a hospital was the chief sufferer,
three of the shells striking the build
ing. The ammunition used by the
Beers was apparently of an inferior
quality. There were no casualties. The
British returned only one shot. which,
being well directed, disabled one of the
enemy's guns.
Refused to Surrender.
After three hours the Beers sent an
envoy to ask if the town was prepared
to surrender. Col. Baden-P Powell replied
in the negative, but the Smelling of the
town was not resumed.
A later dispatch from Mafeking,
dated October "a, says: The Beers are
in possession of the waterworks and
have cut off the supply. This occasions
no anxiety, because ample supplies are
available in tanks and wells. During
sortie Tuesday evening the British en-
countered the enemy three miles off to
the north. The Beers had apparently
been warned and returned our fire in
earnest with well-handled machine
Ac no int r.
pressing an attack they retired imme-
diately. Commander Sydney Webb was
severely wounded and left behind dur
ing the retreat, but was afterward res
cued by Trooper Stevens. The conduct
of our men was splendid. The enemys
loss could not be ascertained.
Losses of the Beers.
Cape Town, Oct. 30.-A dispatch to
the South African News from Pretoria
says the Boer loss at Elandslaagte was
SO killed and Ga wounded.
According to a dispatch to the Cape
Times from Ladysmith the natives say
that the Boer losses in the fighting at
Reitfontein last Tuesday were at least
so in killed and $50 in wounded.
The Boer losses during Fridays en-
gagement at Talani hill are estimated
at 500 in killed and wounded.
To Mobilize More Cruisers.
London, Oct. 30.-It is reported from
Plymouth that the admiralty is about
to mobilize 90 cruisers.
Farmers Flee to the City.
London, Oct. 30-Farmers in the
neighborhood of Ladysmith have left
| their farms and stock at the mercy of
the Beers and are congregating in the
| town.
| The wife of Gen. Jan Kock has arrived
at Ladysmith under a flag of truce to
nurse her wounded husband. All the
unwounded Boer prisoners have been
sent to Durham to prevent any attempt
! at rescue.
Slain by Waterman.
| Lincoln, ILL.,, Oct. 30.-John Peter, a
recently discharged private of company
ID, Thirty-ninth United States volun-
teer infantry, and native of Oakland,
| Cal, was shot and instantly killed by
4