The San Francisco call., 1899-11-21

ONDON. Nov. 81 a. m.-The re-
ports OF heavy fighting az Lady
smith last Wednesday have not
been confirmed. on the contrary.
the reliable advices from Estcourt
indicate that there was nothing more than
a desultory cannonade. Probably the ru-
NOR of serious engagement grew out Of
the fact that the Beers threw few harm
less shells late Tuesday night. leading TO
the supposition that an attack was iInmi-
nent Nothing happened. however. on
Wednesday.
Beyond the fact that the Beers are daily
receiving fresh reinforcements and sup
plies there Is practically nothing new
from the front.
The Boer Invasion OF Cape Colony con-
tnues steadily and rapidly. There are
1890 Beers at Coleshurg and news has
reached East London that Lady Gray.
near Aliwal North. has been deserted by
the British and is now in the hands OF
the enemy.
a Pretoria dispatch announces the ar
rival there. among the British prisoners.
= Major Haldane. Lieutenant Brochie
and Lieutenant Hallway. It also declares
that the British on Sunday made two un-
successful attempts 10 oust the Rusten-
burg commando from A position near Ma
feking and that severe fighting took place.
From DelaEoa Bay come reports Of the
arrival OF more German officers and artil-
lerymen who have volunteered TO serve
with the Transvaal forces.
The War ONCE semi-offcially asserts
that all news received from Africa has
been published with the exception OF de-
mands for the renewal OF stores. war
material and the like. There is an un-
confirmed rumor that more troops have
been ordered from India 10 the Cape
The plan OF operation on both sides is
slowy unfolding itself. General Joubert
is evidently moving south 10 prevent. II
possible. the junction Of the British re-
lieving force with the forces az Estcourt
and Ladysmith. while on the Orange
River border the Beers are believed TO oe
concentrating at Donkerpoort 10 oppose
General Buffers advance. II is said 500
Beers have already laagered al Donker-
poort.
The English plan seems 10 be a three
fold advance-from Durham 10 Ladysmith
from Orange River 10 Kimberley and
from East London. by way OF Queens
town, 70 Burghersdorp. General Butler
has wired the commanding officer at
Queenstown announcing the dispatch Of
General Gatacre with the first battalion
OF the Seventh Brigade 10 East London.
This was the place IL was originally III
tended that Galacre's column should start
for. Thus IL Is possible that General Bull
ler's first plans have suffered less fnodi-
ncation than some have supposed.
General Gatacre will be able 10 keep the
Beers on the Orange border sufficiently
occupied 10 preserve General Nethuen
from undue molestation. especially II
rumors from various sources that de-
scribe the Free State burghers as in no
wise enthusiastic for fighting are well
founded.
Il has been reported that General Butler
viii take up his quarters al De Aar bur
this seems doubtful De Aar. where a
vast amount OF stores have been collected
is the base for General Methuen's ad-
vance. and General Butler may have been
there for day or so. II is believed. how
ever. that he still has his headquarters AZ
Cape Town.
Although Kimberley Is supposed to he
the objective point OF General Nethuen
many military critics are OF the opinfon
that his advance Will be not toward Kim
berley, but across the Orange Free State
in order 10 secure complete command OF
the Orange River.
The debarkation Of troops at Cape Town
is proceeding in the most satisfactory
manner. One thousand eight hundred
and nifty railway carriages have been col
lected there for the conveyance of troops
northward. and there is talk Of suspend
ing the suburban traffic so as 10 acceler-
ate military work.
The Daily Chronicle in its WAR Diary"
says this morning: Hitherto We have