Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-11-09
BULLER'S
POLICY
British Speculation Upon
War Chiefs Plans
Of Action.
Sir Redvers May March
Almost Anywhere
In Africa.
According to Conflicting
RumOrs==White Is
Desperate.

News carries public knowledge with
respect to hostilities in south Africa
very little further than the evacuation
of Colenso and Stormberg. Those
movements, together with the admir-
atty announcement that the public
must not be disappointed should the
transports not reach the destinations
on the dates indicated in the published
lists, may indicate some change Of
plan necessitated by the bad position
of affairs in Natal. 1t was expected
that the army corps would land near
Capetown for the invasion of the
Transvaal through the Orange Free
State but the landing may now be di-
yerted to Durham, Natal, whittier it is
fully expected Lieut.. Gen. Butler will
go within a week or two to investigate
the situation in person. There is also
a possibility of a movement through
Delagoa bay. The Stormberg stores
have been removed to Queenstown,
probably because of the boer advance
from Botulie and Aliwal north. In
view of the near approach of British
reinforcements, the boer invasion of
Cape Colony can hardly be regarded
seriously. The reports that ROsemead
and Noouw Poort are also to be evacu-
ated corroborate the idea that Butler S
first business will be to relieve White.
1t is believed that the Orange
Free State commanders have
1900 men concentrated against Kim
berley and on the southern frontier
Opposing them are only 1000 British
Aliwal North, Burghersdorp, Steyn-
berry, Barley and Molteno lie open tC
their attacks. A dispatch from PETER
maritzburg, dated Friday reports that
railway communication with Lady
smith has been severed and that the
beers have effected a Judgment at
Nolthorpe, miles south of Ladysmith
Among those invested at Ladysmith
are Col. Rhodes, brother of Cecil
Rhodes, Sir John Willoughby and, it is
believed, DR.. Jameson, most of the
press correspondents and probably
Earl Ava, son of the Marquis of Duff
ferin-Ava. All the cape railways are
now in the hands of the military au-
thorities. Five hundred tons of food
stuffs have been seized on the steam
ship Maria at Durham, consigned &c
Delagoa Bay for the Transvaal Twen-
ty missionaries have arrived at Dur
ban from Swaziland after narrow rs
capes. 1t is reported from bOeI
sources that the big gun, with which
Cronje hoped to demolish Mafeking, is
not a success. After using the weapon
two days, the beers gave it up. The
Post hears from Maseru that the boeT
attempt to incite the Basutos against
the British has failed. There are re-
newed rumorS of another engagement
at Elandslaagte, with severe boer
losses. 1t is reported from Cairo that
the German steamship Zanzibar, bound
for Zanzibar, arrived at Port Said with
out passengers. She embarked 80
there and sailed followed and watched
by the British cruiser Fearless.
The war office announced at mid
night that no dispatches had been re-
ceived beyond those published and that
nothing further would be issued before
noon today. Thus, not solitary Off
cial item of news has been posted in
nearly "a hours. This has given rise
to the rumor that Ladysmith's am
munition is exhausted and Gen. White
mortally wounded. For these there is
no foundation. Everything points to a
critical situation in Natal and the
northern portions of Cape Colony,
which is likely to grow more acute I'M
til White is either relieved or decisive
ly defeated. Nobody dares to think of
capitulation. 1t is generally assumed
that White, with the aid of the naval
guns, will be able to cope with any
bombardment. Defense thus depends
upon the uninterrupted working Of the
Natal guns. 1t is an important ques
ton whether the naval guns, which
only arrived at the last moment, have
sufficient ammunition to reply to a
bombardment lasting possibly several
weeks. If not, it is hardly likely that
works exist in Ladysmith for casting
the special shells needed; moreover,
there is no mention of stores
of lyddite at Ladysmith for
re-charging the shells. Meanwhile,
vague remarks in the dispatches point
to the impending arrival of more boer
guns from Johannesburg to be mount
ed among the hills within range of
Ladysmith. Such considerations ex-
plain the anxiety felt regarding
Whites movements and position. The
British retirement to Estcourt has
given the impression that it is intend
ed to make stand there. Estcourt is
the last of the important towns be-
tween the beers and the capital of
Natal. If the beers pass Estcourt moth
ing will stop them from laying siege to
PietermaritZburg which cannot make