The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-10-19

London, Oct. 1S.-Ihere is still nc
authentic news from Mafeking, but all
reports tend to confirm the belief that
Colonel Baden-Powell is holding mis-
own and no credit is given to the vague
displayed.
A considerable engagement is antic-
ipated in the vicinity of Ladysmith to-
day. The combined advance of Beers
and Free State troops in this direction
has been executed with not inconsid-
citation Of their position. Gen. Sill
George Stewart White has $4,000 men
and As guns available, besides a con-
siderable force of volunteers. to hold
Ladysmith, and no anxiety is felt ON
his account.
The country is not favorable for Boer
tactics and it will be very difficult for
them to avoid the exposure of their
flanks to attack by a vigorous and mo-
bile enemy already occupying their
usual positions, that is, supposins they
really mean to fight and not merely to
attempt to draw General White farth-
er out with view of surrounding him.
General White has a large body of ex-
cellent cavalry, which will be put to
good use.
The foregoing about exhausts the
acute war news this morning The
worst features of the situation are re-
sarding the probability OF native ris-
ings, which, whether on behalf of or
against the Beers, are certain to pro-
duce serious complications, besides
danger to the few hundred whites in
these districts.
The havoc the Beers are making
with the railway and telegraph lines
will seriously impede the movements
of General Sir Redvers Buffers army
corps. There are conflicting reports as
to whether the Beers have or have not
occupied Helpmakoar. According to
the best accounts the rumor that they
have done so is untrue but If the
Beers have succeeded in this maneu-
yer they are completely around the
right Of General Sir George Stewart
Whites position and will be able either
to attack him at vantage or to
move down into Natal behind him.
The Daily News points this out and
seems to think that if the Eoers lose
their way through Zulu territory or
Basuland, the natives ought to be per-
mitted to exact respect for their own
territory.
The Morning Post criticises Eng
idllu S apparent WeakneSS fCf CelenSlFe
action with inadequate forces and says
that if Colonel Baden-Powel holds his
own it will be because his assailants
are beneath contempt.
The Times editorially complains of
the lax observances Of neutrality on
the part of the states of the United
States in permitting the systematic
recruiting and enlistment Of men open
~ for service against England in South
Africa. Regarding shipments of con-
traband for the Beers the Times says
the shippers must not complain if the
goods are seized by the British, and
notes that consignments appear to
come from Hamburg. 1t says: per
haps, though this is doubtful, some
shipments may have been made in
American ports If this is so American
lawyers will be aware that they have
only to read Lorenzo Marouez is sit
uated near the Transvaal frontier for
'Matamoras is situated near the bor-
ders of the confederate states to bring
such consgnments within. the precise
terms of some of the best known de-
cisions of their supreme court. With
respect to the real destinat ton Of con-
raband articles this country asks that
the rules and usages of international
law should be impartially applied