Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-09
SOUNDS OF A BATTLE
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eral Buffers army corps. Now the officials
are inclined to predict that low water mark
has been touched and that slowly but stead
lily the rising tide of victory may be ex-
pected. The proposal to send out an addi
tional 10000 troops is highly approved and
il is considered probable that fully that
number will be required, as all Independent
reports concur in saying the resistance of
the Beers will be stubborn to the last and
that not until the resources of the two re-
pubics are exhausted will they acknowledge
defeat.
More ObIiging Than Ncrncious.
The news OF a great victory which was
circulating here last evening is not confirmed
and the Boer losses reported by what might
be designated "Kafirgrams" ought to be
greatly discounted, as the Kaffirs, knowing
the British wish to hear of Boer losses, are
likely to supply them with reports to their
taste. However, allowing for all exaggera-
tion, General White appears to have given
General Jouberts forces several home
thrusts and the war office Is justified in it's
contention today that the news demonstrates
clearly that General White is able to more
blows OF such force as not only to ensure the
safety of Ladysmith, but probably also to
have a telling effect on the duration and re-
suits of the pending operations of General
Buffers army corps. In short the war office
officials take decidedly hopeful view of the
entire situation and believe that even the
advance section of the British forces at
Ladysmth have seen the worst days.
1t is hoped that the renewed charges Of
Boer violations Of the sanctity of the white
flag originated in the lively imagination of
the Kaffirs. Though similar charges have
several times been made during the present
campaign and though official accounts report
similar practices in the former Transvaal
war, there has not been any mention Of such
actions thus far in any of the official reports
received from General White and General
Yule, who will surely have formally remon-
strated against such conduct on the part of
the Beers.
French Goes to Cnpctown.
One OF the most important items today is
that General French is going to Capetown
This Is taken a confirmation of the state
ment already made by the Associated Press
that the main advance Of the British forces
will be through the open fiat country of the
Orange Free State and the southwestern part
vi lu9 lEduSNddl. olnSINiSe, 81 Shllllul u
leader as General French would hardly have
been withdrawn from Ladysmith at the pres
ent time of stress.
There is much speculation regarding the
nexS Boer move. 1t seems clear that 1t will
be impossible for them to closely invest
Ladysmith, owing to the fortunate arrival
of the long range naval guns, which keep the
Beers at least four miles off, making the
circle of investment about twenty-five miles
in circumference. which, it Is claimed, it
will be impossible for the Boer forces to fully
occupy. 1t is beyond belief, however, that
General Joubert will remain long inactive,
and it is conjectured here that his present
quiescence is Due to the fact that he is await
ing the arrival of heavy guns from Pretoria
and Johannesburg to effectually lombard
and render untenable the British position.
Further reports of the Groblerskloof affair
tend to confirm the statement that the Brit
ish were successful. A Kaffir declares that
fully 100 Beers were killed on the hilltop by
the "men- women which is supposed to in
dicate that the Gordon Highlanders were
there.
Cyclist scouts have since been across the
Tugela bridge They saw a number of
killed lying on the plain.
Apparently when the Colenso garrison
evacuated that place Friday the British
troops missed a grand opportunity of car
rying out an effective attack on the rear of
the disconnected Beers. The latter appear
to believe that the Colenso column evacuated
the place as a ruse and are lying in ambush
to surprise them If they advance hence the
immunity of the town from occupation by
the burghers.
Schalkberger I'm the Field.
DURHAM Natal, Nov. 5.-General Schalk-
berger, with a force of 1900 men, has ar
rived at Vlayheid, on his way to Swaziland.
1t is believed he is going to Zululand.
The enrolment of the new imperial in
fantry is proceeding apace at Durham and
Pietermaritzburg. Murray's mounted volun-
teers have left Pietermaritzburg for the
Moohr river.
News from the lower Tugela reports splen-
did work upon the part Of the Germans
below Umvoti The mounted rifles have no
volunteers more assiduous than the Ger
mans.
The preparations for the defense of Pieter-
maritZburg are in good shape. All the strong
positions on the surrounding hills have been
fortified. There has been a great influx of
Colenso refugees at Pietermaritzburg where
the public building and stores have been
given over to them.
The population of Durham has been in
creased $4,000 by the refugees, among whom
there is considerable distress