Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1899-10-31

LOuuOn, OCl. ol.- ne lOliONluB us
patch from General White was re
ceived at the war Office: "Ladysmith,
October so, 1O:45 p nj have to re
port a disaster to the column sent by
me to take a position on the hill to
guard the left flank of the troops. In
these operations today the Royal Irish
Fusileers, No. 10 mountain battery,
and the Worcestershire regiment
were surrounded in the hills and after
losing heavily had to capitulate. Ine
casualties have not yet been ascer-
tanned. man of the Fusileers, en-
ployed as a hospital orderly, came in
under a flag of truce with a letter
from tie survivors of the column,
who asked for assistance to bury the
dead | fear there is no doubt Of the
truth of the report. l formed the
plan in the carrying out of which the
disaster occurred, and l am alone re-
sponsible for the plan. There is no
blame whatever to the troops as their
pOSlIlOn was unIenaDle.
White cables a list of forty-three
officers who were made prisoners by
the Beers. The war Office has or
dered the second army corps to be
in readiness to be called out. Mill
tary' Office officials have not yet de-
cided whether the consummation of
the plan will be necessary, but are de-
termined to have everything In read
iness either for a demonstration to
Europe of Great Britain's capabilities
or sending even a larger force to the
~scene of action. Until the receipt of
1.-The news of the Ladysmith disaster
: the latter course was considered out
of the question, but now there is no
knowing what steps may be decide.
upon.
London, Oct. 31-The war Office
has sent the following dispatch to
General Butler: Three extra battal-
ions foot, and one mountain battery,
with reserves, win leave England dur
ing the ooprae. os. ten DAVIS tn i'~aisa
Cape Town Oct. Silt is reported
from Barkley that the Beers are con-
structing forts around Kimberly for
the purpose of shelling the town.
WHITE MAY RETIRE.
London, Oct. 31.-Reports are cur
rent here that General White may re-
tire to Pietermaritzburg while the
railroad is intact. There is much di-
vergence of opinion in military cir
cles as to the advisability of such
step.
EFFECT IN ENGLAND.
London, Oct. 31.-While minor re-
verses were not wholly unexpected,
nothing like the staggering blow Cen
eral Joubert delivered General
Whites forces yesterday, was antici-
pated. The full extent of the disas-
ter is not yet acknowledged, if known
at the war office. The loss in effec-
tive men must be appalling to gen
eral practically surrounded. Two of
the finest British regiments and
mule battery, deducted from the Lady
smith garrison, weakens it about one
fifth Of its total strength and alters
the whole situation materially in fav-
or of the Beers who again have shown
themselves stern fighters and military
strategists of no mean order The
disaster cost the British 1,500 to 1000
men and six seven pound screw guns.
AS the Boer artillery is already strong
er than imagined the capture of these
guns will be great help to the Beers.
Further news must be awaited before
it is attempted to fix blame where it
belongs. General White manfully ac-
cepts all the responsibility for the dis
aster which apparently was at least
partly due to the stampeding of the
mules with the guns. At the govern,
ment offices no effort was. made to
conceal the feeling of dismay pre-
va'ling One official said:
IA is inexplicable. l am sorry to
Sc III is moral effect is inestimable
WI ave lost heavily in many wars
an Mead regiments almost wiped out
but 70 have regiments captured, and
by Beers, it is terrible"
An official of the war office said:
"The disaster is more thar likely due
: to the craze of our younger officers to
distinguish themselves and obtain men
ton in dispatches and earn the Vic
toria cross, than to the fault of that
splendid Indian veteran, General
White, in spite of his avowal."
BoERS LOSE HEAVILY.
London, Oct. 31-Special from
Ladysmith says the Beers suffered
severely during the engagement, some
persons estimating the loss at 900 to
1000 killed and wounded.
BATTLE IN PROGRESS.
Cape Town, Oct. S1.-The South At
rica News publishes the following dis
patch: 'I.adysmith, Oct. s1.-A bat
tie is proceeding at the foot of Umban-
bane. few miles from Ladysmith
Several shells have dropped into the
town.
NEWSPAPER COMMENT.
London, Oct. S1.-The afternoon
newspapers made only brief editorial