The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-10-16

From Natal Points Very Dinicult.
LONDON, Oct. 1e-So far as actual
news is concerned. very little change In
the situation is noticed. The state OF
affairs at Mafeking can only be conjec-
tured. The occupation Of Newcastle by
the Beers was prepared for and expect
ed. tho place having been abandoned by
the British. The Beers are reported to
be menacing Kimberley.
Very heavy rains and SHOWS are re-
ported. which hamper the Boer move
ments. and they are hnding that they
began too late to easily obtain the int
tial successes counted upon. They evi-
IDENTIFY find the advance upon Ladysmith
difficult. either from the north or west.
as Gen. Sir George Stewart Whites rec
onnoissance Is sufiicient TO deter them for
the present.
Maaterly Inactivity ON Both sides.
The peaks OF the Drakensburg range
are now covered. and the storms which
have occurred must have caused the
Beers great discomfort. which probably
explains their failure to attack Gen.
White. Mastery inactivity characterixcs
the operations on both sides.
Persistent rumors are In circulation
that the Schreiner ministry to Cape Col
ony has been dismissed and that Mr..
Ross Innes had been been asked TO form
a cabinet. These rumors, however, are
without foundation.
Sir Alfred Miner has wired TO Mr.
Chamberlain the text OF an infIammatory
circular which Field Cornet viljoen cir
cuiated in Johannesburg some weeks ago
with view Of incensing the Afrikanders
on both sides of the Orange river against
England.
Boers Massin9 at Kimberley.
Tho Daily Mails Cape Town correspond
ent. telegraphing Sunday evening said:
Kimberley is besieged and the Beers are
massing In force No details. however, are
obtainabc.
THE Beers have cut the railway at Bel
mont. having seized the Spyfontein rail-
way station and constructed fortified earth
works. There are strong defending forces
At Modaer river and the Orange river.
Tho object cf these energetic operations
Is believed 20 he the capture OF Cecil
Rhodes. Kimberley Is now isolated. both
railway and ,elegraphie communication be-
Ing cut"
Newcastle Captured.
The Daily Malls Glencoe correspondent.
under date of Sunday. says:
Forces under CoInmandant viitoen
from Spitzkap, occupied Newcastle Sat
urday afternoon. and II Is reported plant
81 their flag over the town hall
''lt is rumored that the Beers have cap
turad "A police patrol of six men at I,o-
on he
Anxiety for Mas~kinx.
At o'clock las: evening the government
has received no news Of nghting in South
Africa. and did nn' EXPECT any. as no
battle r. probable except at Mafeking COM
munica.ion with which place has been cut
OF ana for which considerable anxiety ts
felt. Elsewhere. however, IL is believed
that the British will remain on the de-
fensIve Lord Salisbury has Issued "A sum
mons for cabinet meeting tomorrow.
Transports secur~d
The government has secured the steam
er Arawe. which was To have sailed from
Avenmogth tomorrow FOR Montreal, with
1000 passengers. TIE Australian govern
rnen, has secured the white Star sins
steamer Medic. now a. Melbourne. to con-
wy fHE hNst'aAta9i contingent 10 cDIln
Africa.
Funds for Refugees.
The Prince ard Princess ~ Wales have
Zach subscribed Grs 70 the Mansion House
fund for the relief 0: South African refu-
gees
RIGID Press Censovshfp.
Urban. oef is morning Owing 20
rigorous censorship maintained. news
from the front is greatly datayed and
reaches here IN Gistoin;sf aisTatche~ 7,
= harmed from AT authentic source that
ssrge nunlSsr os troops. incIudir. csvairy,
artillery ard Infantry. 'et: f.atysrlth
early Friday morning with wagons. goiag
IN the direction u Acton Homes. whore
tie Beers are reported % be eneampad
TIE Durham susfiesrs arrived from Gien-
con hy train at II O'Clock ard proc @e4ea IN
n. "a IT, tireetiar. There ha. been no en-
gAgeueui. the Beers refreatinv. The Brit
,sa troops remain a. goin. ter miles !r0fn
f4saysriEfa. e3fh the exception II the Dur
bar faxiieers. VINO returned 10 Gienc1s,
Gen. Sir william synons having wire.
that an attack xa. expected there Ea.ur-
day morning.
TIE esrninesrs retired ard the Beers re-
trfased In sh~ direction ~ BrakwaL
The Forces In Natal.
foilow.sg - "a. strenxss ard alsposi-
t!sn - she ,r0Eps in Nasai
a. LaGyxzri,n. seven batteries. thirty.
two xs3ns. 400 men az Esteuars, 30 Vol
uutssss. and at coisnso "a voiuntosA