The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1899-11-09
AN AIR OF RELIEF
Reassuring News From Lady
smith Drives Away That
Tired Feeling
Which Has Been So Prevalent in
the London War Office
of Late.
believed Low Water Mark Is
Reached, but Beers Not Yet
Whipped.

LONDON, Nov. 0.-An air of relief is
observable among the British war Office
officials, as a result Of r~eassuring news
from Ladysmith and the tone of COM
ment OH the war news has assumed
optimism, which lately has been alb
sent, leading to the belief that, in addi-
ton to the brighter prospects Of the
beleaguered garrison the var Office is
cheered by the news Of the arrival at
their destination of the first transports
with General Buffers army corps.
Now the officials are inclined to pre-
dict that low water mark has been
touched and that slowly, but steadily
the rising tide Of victory may Do ex-
pected. The proposal to send out an
additional 10. 900 troops is highly ap-
proved, and it 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 aud that not un-
til the Of the two republics
are exhausted will they acknowledge
defeat.
withdrawal of French.
One Of the most important items to-
day Is that General French is going to
Cape Town. This is taken as a confirm
alton Of the statement already made by
the Associated Press that the main ad-
of the British forces will be
through the open fiat country of the
Orange Free State and the Southwest.
ern part Of the Transvaal. Otherwise,
SO skillful a leader as General French
would hardly have been withdrawn
from Ladysmith at the present time of
stress. There is much speculation re-
garding the next Boer move. 1t seems
clear that it will be impossible for
them to closely invest Ladysmith, ow-
ing 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 % miles in circum-
ference which, it is claimed, it will be
impossible for the Boer force to fully
occupy. 1t is beyond belief, however,
that General Joubert will remain long
inactive, and it is conjectured here that
his present Guiescence is due to the
fact that he is waiting for the arrival Of
heavy guns from Pretoria and johann
| nesburg to effectually lombard and
render untenable the British position.
News of Victory Not Confirmed.
The news Of a great victory which
was circulated here is not confirmed
and the Boer losses reported by what
may be designated ''kaffirgrams" ought
to be greatly discounted. as the kafiirs,
knowing the British wish to hear of
Boer losses, are likely to supply them
with reports to their taste. However,
allowing for all exaggeration, General
White appears to have given General
Joubert's forces several home thrus,s.
and the war Office is justified in its con-
tention that the news demonstrates
clearly that General White is able to
more than merely hold his own and can
strike 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 results of the pend
ing operations of General Buffers army
corps. In short the war officials take a
decidedly hopeful view of the entire
situation and believe that even the ad-
vance section of the British force at
Ladyslnith have seen the worst days.