The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-11-26
THE RESULT UNKNOWN
LONDON is FILLED WITH
GLOOMY FOREBODINGS.
GEN. MEIHUENS SUCCESS MADE MUCH OF
From no Other Point Comes News That Can
Bring Joy to The Hearts Of the Bri ish
People. Dutch in Cape Colony
Joining the Invaders.

london. Nov. 25.--The position in
Natal remains full of perplexities which
the censorship has increased. Although
Il division and half have now reached
Durham, that place is practically pow
erless until supplied with cavalry and
artillery, and until these arrive the sit
uation will undoubtedly remain grave.
With three beleaguered garrisons in
Natal, beside Kimberley and Mafeking
and no signs of succor in the immediate
future, it is no wonder that the outlook
is. regarded as distinctly gloomy tonight,
and that the most possible is made of
General Methuen's success, such as it
was. That battle decided nothing, and
it seems certain that many experts are
Of the opinion that the story of the re-
turn OF the pursuing cavalry without
getting in touch with the retreating
Beers, indicates that the cavalry dis
covered in time that if it had gone on
il would soon have been ON the Pretoria
race course with its comrades OF the
Hussars.
1t win not surprise any one greatly
if the Beers are shortly again diScov-
cred in an entrenched position near the
sEot from which General Methuen has
just cvicted them.
From no other point can even SEM
blance of success be reported. Mare
king is apparently in worse plight than
the Britishers have hitherto cared to
admit. and it il difficult to see
how it can be relieved for some time to
come. While the official dispatch from
the Boer head laager outside Ladysnith
dated November 9th. showed that the
town was still flying the Union Jack
on Friday, the cheerful tone Of the mes
age Of ammunition, and the fact that
speedy reduction of Ladysmith is NOT
calculated to cheer anxious relatives
The reported Silence of the British
guns also again arouses fears of short
ness of ammunition, and the fact that
the Beers have just placed in position
anather siege gun shows that they have
not yet done their worst.
The arrival of the German officers,
some of whom, il is understood, gained
large experience in reducing fortified
towns in 1S10-'71, is calculated To lead
to change of tactics which will add
to the suspense of the sorely tried garri-
son.
1lae situation in the northern portion
Of Cape Colony is about as unsatisfac-
tory as it cam he. Beers are turning
up in al directions.
a Cape Town dispatch received at a
late hour tonight reports that the enemy
have blown UP a railway bridge between
Rosmead Junction and Middleburg with
the object of preventing an advance
from Port Elizabeth. This was effect
ed by a small commando. which. it lis
stated, remains in the meighboIh0od The
effect of blowing mp this bridge will tend
to isolate Naauwpoort, which was re-
GENTLY re-oceupied by the british. and
must delay the advance of the troops
just arrived at Port Elizabeth.
The gravest news from Cape Town
today comes from the northern part of
the colony, where 1T is now evident. num-
bers of Dutch farmers have risen and
joined the invading Free State forces in
the Herschell and Barl1ley- East districts.
A dispatch from Queenstown. Cape
Colony General Gatacres' headquarters
announces that '!four hundred colonial
rebels, lncllIdimg an ex-magistrate of
Barkley-Enst, have joined the enemy"
at the latter place and that the whole
force is reported to be marching on
Dcrdlecht, whence it can operate and
possibly intercept General Gatacres' adj
vance to re-occupy Storn.burg Junction,
strategic point from which General
Gatacre can get in direct touch through
the railroad with General French at
Naauwpoort, and thus with the British
base at De Aar.
Another dispatch says that refugees
arriving from Queenstown assert that
Lady trey has been occupied by the
Colonial farmers and that it is feared
that there is a general movement in
favor of the Beers
Further dispatches from Belmone con-
firning the treacherous use of the white
flag by the Beers are arollsinIg indigna-
ton. The troops engaged are bitterly
complaining, and it lis feared the result
will be refusal to give the Beers quar-
ter.
The reported determination of the
United States to compel Kruger to allow
Consul General Macrlm to exercise lfis
rights as British agent at pretoria has
created nm excellent impression here and
has called out various expressions of sat,
isfaction and gratitude.
LADYSMITH STRANGELY QUIET.
Pretoria. Nov. 25.-An official dis
patch from the Boer head laaser out