Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-12
HARD ON THE BRITISH NERVES
Whites Hope Lies in Delay Until Re-
Enforcement Arrives - JOubert,
However, Aims Crushing Blow.

LONDON, Nov. 1.-THE War Office has
received from General Butler the following
dispatch:
CAPETOWN Friday Night, Nov. 10.-A
reconnotering force from the Orange river
had skirmish with the enemy today about
flour miles east of Belmont. Casualties: IN
the Northumberland Fusileers, Colonel C.
e. Keith -Falconer, killed; Lieutenants F.
Bevan and H. c. Hall, wounded. In the
North Lancashire regiment, Lieutenant c.
c. Wood and two privates, wounded. This
is the only report to hand
The War office has also received the fol-
lowing from General Butler:
"CAPEToWN, Friday, Nov. 1O.-10:20
p. m.-The following message has been re-
| ceived from Colonel Kekewlch:
KIMBERLEY, Monday, Nov. 6.-The
wounded are progressing satisfactorily. Two
| unarmed natives have been shot by the
Beers at Alexander's Fontein. The con-
| scrvancy post to the south OF the Kimberley
| reservoirs has been missing since November
4. 1t is supposed to have been captured by
the Beers Browne OF Beaconsfield, having
ridden beyond the barriers Yesterday, is
missing. 1t Is supposed he was captured.
| The situation otherwise is unchanged .
| The last infantry battalions under orders
| for South Africa left England today and the
| y
| Household regiment the only cavalry to be
despatched, and last but by no means least,
the First battery of the Howitzer artillery
has started Great things are expected OF
the Howitzer battery, OF which there are
| only three in the British army. These five
I'inch breechoaders are claimed to be OF a
| superior character and are expected to be
particularly serviceable in removing the
Beers from the hills.
The entire absence of news is having it's
effect on the nerves OF the country and the
references in the censored dispatches to
heavy losses heightens the anxiety. 1t is
pointed out that the absence of serious news
in such dispatches that have been received
from General White proves nothing, as the
general is not likely to send by pigeon any
thing unpleasant or indicative of anxiety,
carriers being 80 liable to fall into the hands
OF the Beers.
There are signs that the greater part OF
the Beers are concentrating between Lady
smith and Colenso, but the stories are SO
contradictory that it Is impossible to assert
this positively. If true 1t is pointed out that
while 1t cuts off Ladysmith the risk to the
Beers is also great for it will give General
White q great chance to intercept their re-
treat when Lord Methuen's division advances
General Joubert succeeds in crushing the be-
leaguered garrison. That the latter is COM
pleting preparations for a series Of desperate
attacks on General Whites position is not
doubted, and heavy fighting may be heard
from at any moment.
General Whites forces, 1t Is asserted, mus
be enduring daily ordeal which will hardly
improve their fighting efficiency, and the
danger OF the shortness of ammunition looms
up largely. On the development of the sit
uation at Ladysmlth in the immediate fu
ture depends perhaps the duration of the
war. 1t is pointed out that II General Whit,
can maintain his position until November 2;
or &c the British authorities will be fully sat
isfed that all danger in Natal will be over
! Should he be compelled to abandon his guns
and stores and retire with heavy losses
southwark where he will meet the Beers II
possession OF the Tugela, 1t Is impossible Il
predict what may happen.
! On the other hand, the critics say, shoult
the position at Ladysmith not be material!
changed until November 2s, it Is predictet
that the majority of the Boer forces will b.
caught between two British forces and com
PEELED to retreat over the difficult Tlntwi
pass, or Livershook, after abandoning thei
guns.