The record-union., 1899-11-07
Latest News From the Seat Of Hos
tiIities in Natal
Carries Lille knowledge Beyond the EIac-
ration Of Colenso and Stsrmherg.
The Announcement Of the War
Office That No Late Intelligence
Has Been Received Gives Rise
to Many Rumors Regarding
General Whites Situation at
Ladysmith, Fears Being Enter
tained That the Facts Are Be-
ing Concealed.

tanned That the Facts Are Be-
ing Concealed.
LONDON, Nov. 7.-(4:3O a. m.)-This
edge with respect to hostilities in South
Africa very little further than the
evacuation of Colenso and Stormberg.
These movements, together with the
Admiralty announcement that the pub
lie must not be disappointed should the
transports not reach their destinations
on the date indicated in the published
lists, may indicate some change of plan
necessitated by the bad position of af-
fairs in Natal. 1t was expected that
the army corps would land near Cape
Town for an invasion of the Transvaal
through the Orange Free State. but the
landing may now be diverted to Dur
ban. Natal. whittier it is fully expected
Lieutenant General Sir Butler will go
within a week to investigate the stu
alton for himself. There is also posi-
bility of movement through Deiagoa
Bay, and the Admiralty notice regard
ing the transports simply means, in all
likelihood, that news of their move
ments is to be suppressed.
Stormberg was understood to be the
depot where stores, tents, guns, arnmu-
milton and all the commissariat details
of the Third Division, that under Sir
William Gatacre, were in process of ac-
emulation. The stores have been re-
moved to Queenstown, and an obvious
explanation of their removal arises
from the Boer advance from Bothulie
and Aliwalnorth.
In the view of the near approach of
British achievements, Boer invasion
of Cape Colony could hardly be re-
garded very seriously. There may,
therefore, be another reason for the
withdrawal, and the stores destined by
repute for Queenstown may be intended
for East London or Durham. 1t may
be General Buffers intention to send on
Colonel Lord Paul Methuens division,
composed of Guards and British bril-
gades, to the immediate assistance of
Natal For the use of that division a
diversion may be intended of some of
the stores of the Third Division, which
are in the handiest position to be for
warded
Reports that Rosemead and Naauw-
poort are also to be evacuated,
seem to corroborate the idea that Cen
eral Buffers first business will be to
relieve Sir George Stewart White.
1t is believed that the Orange Free
State now has 11,0O0 men concentrated
against Kimberly and on the Free State
southern frontier. The towns which
lie open to their attack are Aliwalnorth.
Burghersdorp. Steynburg, Barley and
Moletto.
A dispatch from Pietermaritzburg,
dated Friday, reports that railway COM
munication with Iladysmith is severed
the Beers having effected Judgement
at Noltorpe, south of Ladysmith about
seven miles. Among those invested at
Ladysmith are Colonel Rhodes. brother
of Cecil Rhodes, Sir John Willoughby,
and, 1t is believed, Dr. Jameson, as well
as most Of the press correspondents
and probably the Earl of Ava, son of
the Marquis of Dufferin and Ava
All the Cape railroads are now in the
hands of the military authorities.
Five hundred tons of food stuffs were
seized on board the steamship Maria
at Durham, consigned to Delagoa Bay
for the Transvaal. Twenty missionaries
have arrived at Durham from Swat
land, after many narrow escapes.
1t is reported from Boer sources that
the big gun with which General Cronje
had hoped 20 demolish Mafeking is not
a success 1t is believed to be a
Schneider-Ca Camel gun, weighing, with
the cartridges. about ten tons. The re-
coil is so tremendous as to throw the
gun out of gear every time it is fired
After using the weapon two days the
Beers gave 1t up.
The Morning POST hears from Ma
seru, Basutoland. that the Boer at
tempt to incite the Basutos against the
British has failed.
It is understood that when the time
comes to arrange terms of peace Natal
will claim an apportionment of terri
tory, which, beside recompensing the
colony for losses sustained, will place
1t in a position less open to attack in
the future.
There are renewed rumors of another
engagement at Glands Laagte, with Sc
we're Beer losses.
1t is reported from Cairo that the
German steamer Zanzibar, bound for
Zanzibar, arrived at Port Said without
passengers, and that, having embarked
thirty there, she sailed forward. and
is watched by the British cruiser Fear
less.
The War Office announced at mid
night that no dispatches had been re-
ceived beyond those already made pub
lie, and that nothing further would he
issued before noon to-day Thus not a
solitary of1icial item of news has been
posted for nearly twenty-four hours.