Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1899-10-19
TH[ WAR HAS COMMENCED
Beers and British Are Finally
Measuring Strength in
South Africa.
READY FOR HARD FIGHT.
Resisting Strength of General White
in Natal Said to be Upwards
of 5000 Men.
Official Reports Deny the Sensa-
tional Rumors That a Battle Had
Taken Place in Which 9, 900 Beers
Were Killed-Fierce Battle Rag
ing at Kimberley.

Were Kil1ed-Fierce Battle Rag
ing at Kimberley.
London, Oct. 1.-THE Daily Maiis
Cape Town correspondent says:
kimberley is besieged and the Beers
are massing in force. No details, how
ever, are abtainable.
"The Beers have cut the railway at
Belmont, have seized the Spytsfontein
railway station and constructed forti-
fed earthworks. There are strong de-
Tending forces at Modder bridge and
the Orange River bridge.
1.-THE object of these energetic opera
tiOns, Is believed to be the capture Of
Cecil Rhodes. Kimberley now is iso-
lated. both railway and telegraphic
communication being cut"
The daily Nails Glencoe correspond
ent says:
"A force under Commandant Viii
joen from SpitZkop occupied New
castle on Saturday afternoon and it is
reported, planted their flag over the
Town Hail.
| "It is rumored that the Beers have
captured Il police patrol of six men at
De Jager's Drift on the Buffalo River"
| Cape Town. Oct. 1.-THE MOdder
River station master reports that fir
ing has been heard in the direction of
Kimberley, and the station master at
Belmont telegraphs that a force of
Beers is advancing.
| There is an Unconlirmed rumor that
the imperial forces Intercepted a body
of TranSvaal Beers who were attempt
fn "A fnprnS a Mn16nr
River, and that heavy engagement
occurred at Spytsfontein station, south
of Kimberley.
| Boer tents We're discovered eight
miles southeast of Kimberley. Great
clouds of dust seen TO the eastward of
| Kimberley also seem to indicate the
movement of Il large body of troops
with wagons. Two imperial officers at
Mononda discovered column of 400
Beers going in the direction of Mod
der River bridge, from Johannesburg.
London, Oct. 17.-Lying in their
strongly intrenched position, extending
from Dundee to Ladysmith, the forces
Of General Sir George Stewart White
are awaiting the coming of the Beers.
| Vague rumors that Il battle had been
fought between General White and the
Orange Free State troops on Saturday,
were expanded into reports that the
British had won Il great victory, killing
two thousand Beers with little loss to
themselves. These received an official
1uietus from the War Office. which an
nounced that there had been no fight
ing near Ladysmith, this despatch hav-
ing been received from the Natal head
quarters:
| nj 70,
went in the direction of Van Reeneen's
Pass Friday), but failed to draw the
Beers to the Pass. He returned to
Ladysmith, where he now is. No en-
gagement occurred
General White is estimated to have
fifteen thousand or more men in Ma
tai He is Il man of great resource, and
has the valuable assistance of General
Sir William Penn Symons, experienced
in hill fighting in India, and of General
Sir Archibald Hunter, who fought in
the Soudan campaign.
| Two armored trains are patrolling
the line in the vicinity of Ladysmith.
There is no question that the Beers
have crossed the frontier at several
points. A Pretoria despatch says:
"Advices from Nolksrust confirm the
report that BOer commando has oc-
.upied Laing'S Mex without casualties.
The health of the burghers is good"
| Another Pretoria despatch says:
"All reports from Volksrust agree
hat the burghers there are unanimous
N the opinion that the settlement this
line must he conclusive. They are not
anxious to fight, but they prefer fight
ng to giving their assent to an unsatis-
factory solution of the crisis. 1t is not
Known definitely what the next move
will be"
Apparently trustworthy reports reach
Durham that three thousand Beers en-
.amped are on the Ingogo battle field
This is fifteen miles to the north of
Newcastle. The last train that left
here carried. the railway. telegraph
Ind police officials. Mr.. Jackson, the
Magistrate, and Il few residents remain
| here at their own desire.
Another force of Boers, according to
l despatch from Camp Glencoe have
occupied Spitzkop. fifteen miles north
vest of Newcastle.
Died I'm Doctors Office