The silver star., 1899-11-10
BOERSA SAREADvAN(ING
INVASION OF CAPE COLONY
BEolNs.

Bsltish WIthdsaw yron colsssarg-Cesen-
70 In Boer Hands -Iishtiss ~ Lady
smith Continues.
taticn the Free state burghers have
commenced the invasion Of CApe Ooa-
ony with strong force.
As was expected they have chosen e.
the scene Of their operations the Coles
burg district which Is the center OF the
Afrikander dissatisfaction, and where
rising has been expected at any time.
The enemy had been concentrating
their forces at Bethulie and at Spring
fontein. They crossed the frontier
Wednesday at Norvals Point, on the
railway bridge over the Orange river.
and advanced along the railway ana
highway.
They occupied Colesburg without re-
sistance. The only force at Colesburg
was a small squad Of police under ser
geant. They surrendered and arc now
prisoners Of war. Oolesburg has 1900
inhabitants, all Dutch. The British
troops are concentrating at De Aar
Junction.
The New South Wales LAncers have
arrived at Cape Town, and were warm.
|
train Immediately to De Aar.
A number of British wounded from
Ladysmith have arrived Mt Cape Town.
Large crowds at the docks cheered and
encouraged the sufferers as they were
carried ashore. The crowds sang "Rule
Britannia" and the soldiers Of the
Queen, some wounded, Joined feebly
in the singing.
Lisbon, Nov. 5.-Persistent reports
are in circulation here that General Sir
George Stuart White, British COM
mander In Natal, has capitulated to the
BOers
London, Nov. 6-The war office is
sued the following at II 40 last night:
"Buller to the Secretary OF State for
War:
"Cape Town, Nov. 5.-s:4O p. m.-The
commandant mt Durham sends the fol-
lowing, received from Ladysmith, by
| pigeon post, dated November 3rd:
Yesterday General French went
out with cavalry and field artillery and
effectively shelled the Boer laager,
without loss on our side.
Lieutenant Egerton, Of he Power.
full. Is dead. General Joubert sent In
Major G. s. Kincaid Of the Royal Irish
Fusiliers, and nine wounded prisoners.
Eight Beers were sent out in exchange,
|
Colonel Breck'ehurst, with caval-
ry, field artillery, the Imperial Light
Horse and the Natal mounted volun.
teers, was engaged today with the en-
emy to the southwest of Ladysmith
The fighting lasted several hours. Our
loss was very small.
| 1.-The bOmbardment OF Ladysmith
continued yesterday and to-day, many
Boer shells being pitched into the
town.
Our troops nre In good health and
spirits, and the wounded are doing
WELL
81 think General Frcnch's name is
given by mistake for that of Breckle-
hurst"
London, Nov. 4.-qhe war Office has
issued the following announcement:
The colonial office has received In
formation to the effect that the troops
have withdrawn from Colenso and
have concentrated farther south, but
We have no news Ofany engagement in
that neighborhood."
The evacuation OF COlenso In un-
doubtedly most serious matter for the
British In Natal. MS II not only testifies
to the complete Investment OF Lady
smith by the Beers. but makes the re-
iief OF General Sir George Stuart White
|
COlensO Is the point where the mil.
wny from Ladysmith crosses the Tn.
geln river, which IL now In flood. The
town itself IL Of small importance. II
IL dominated by the hills on the north
side OF the river and 80 was untenable
II the bOers have advanced, as they
seem to have done. Moreover. only n
small naval and colonial force was eta-
TONED at COlensO.
The seriousness Of the evacuation.
however, lies In the fact that Com.
mandnnt General Jouhert, while com
pieteIy investing Sir George White at
i1dysmith, can seize this Tulega
Dridge and. II he has sufficient troonH.
can dctach a force and send II sonth'
ward on Pietermaritxburg and. in anv
case, Dy destroying the bridge and rnii-
way: can prevent any relief expedition
reaching Sir George White for some
time.
Military men optlmIstically preIict
that General JOubcrt viii withdrnyv WV
from Natal Immediately after Sir Rel.
yers BulIer's force enters the Ornnec
free state. but the Inter cannot be far
on his way for Mt least three or four
weeks, and even then General Joubert
may not decide to intercept the Britain
on the Free States open belt. which
would suit the British admirably. h,,f
he may wait until the Inst moment md
then proceed by train back to Pretoria
ana take up strong defensive posItions
ON the range OF hills lying in front OF
Johannesburg and Prtorin,
Thus General Joulcrt might remain
In Natal several weeks longer, cndeav.
oring to force Sir George white into
cnpitulation. the destruction OF tho IN.
ting or British relief. ~
Moreover. another BOer force IN m
ported to have marched through Zuiu.
land In the direction Of Durhnn ana nj.
ready to have reached the Nntai firm.
tier. ''"'''
Thus II will bc seen. the poxition In
Natai. taking Into consideration a pos.
.Ible uprising Of the disnifectcti Dutch.
70 most dls!uletIng. and, In fact, mn
~ acscri!s'd m critical. British reiii.
| I0fCprnRutQ In