The Van Buren press., 1899-11-11
RELIEF IS OBSERVABLE.
Reassuring News From Ladysmith
Relieves the Tension in the
British War Office.
BELIEF PREVAILS THAT WORST is PAST.
News of Big British Victories Con-
tained in What are Termed "Kaf-
frGrnms," in to BE Taken with IA
Certain Amount of Prudent Dis
count.


London, Nov. 9.-An air of relief is
observable among the British war of
flee officials, as Il result of reassuring
news from Ladysmith, and tine tone of
comment on the war news has as
sumed optimism, which lately has
been absent, leading to the belief that,
i'll addition to the brighter prospects
of the beleaguered garrison, the war
office is cheered by the news of the ar
rival at their destination of the first
transports with Gen. Buffers army
corps.
believe the Tide Has Turned.
Now the officials are inclined to pre-
diet that low water mark has been
touched, and that slowly but steadily
the rising tide of victory may be ex-
rected. The proposal to send out an
additional 10000 troops is highly APP
that fully that number will be re-
qGired, as all Independent reports con-
cur in saying the resistance of the
Beers will be stubborn to the last and
tEat not until the resources Of the two
republics are exhausted will they ac-
knowledge defeat.
"knmrgrams" to be Discounted.
The news of great victory which
was circulated here, Tuesday evening
is not confirmed, and the Boer losses
reported by what may be designated
"kaffirgrams.' ought to be greatly dis
counted, as the Kaffirs, knowing the
British wish to hear of Boer losses
are likely to supply them with re-
ports to their taste. However, allow
ing for all exaggeration, Gen. White
appears to have given Gen. Joubert's
forces several home thrusts, and tho
war office is justified in its conten
ton that the news demonstrates clear
ly that Gen. White is able to more thar
merely hold his own, and can strikt
blows of such force as not only to in
sure the safety of Ladysmith, but
p1 oba bly,, also to have "A telling effect
ON the duration and results of the
pending operations of Gen. Buller''
army corps.
A Decidedly HoqefuI View.
In short, the war office officials take
decidedly hopeful view of the entir,
situation and believe that even the ar
vance section of the British forces al
Ladysmith have seen the worst days.
1t is hoped that the renewed charges
OF Boer violations of the sanctity oi
the flag originated in lively imagina
TORS of the kaffirs. Similar charges
the present campaign, and though of
ficial accounts report similar practices
in the former Transvaal war there has
not been any mention of such actions
thus far in any of the official report.
received from Gen. White and Gen
Yule, who would surely have formally
demonstrated against such conduct OF
the part of the Beers.
An Important Item.
One of the most important items I.
tnat Gen. French is going to Cape
Town. This is taken as confirmation
of the statement already made tha'
the main advance of the British forces
will be through the open fiat country
of the Orange Free State and tho
southwestern part of the Transvaal
Otherwise, so skillful leader as Gen
French would hardly have been with
drawn from Ladysmith at the present
time of stress.
The Next Boer Move.
There is much speculation regard
iny the next Boer move. 1t Seems
clear that it will be impossible fol
them to closely invest Ladysmith
owing to the fortunate arrival of thu
long-range naval guns, which keel
the Beers at least four miles off, max
ing the circle of investment abou
twenty-five miles in circumference
which, it is claimed, it will be impos
sible for the Boer force to fully occu
py.
The Grob1erskoof Affair.
Further reports of the Grobler
skoof affair tend to confirm the state
ment that the British were success
flu. a Kaflir declares that fully 10C
Beers were killed on the hin top by
the ''men-women," which is supposed
to indicate that the Gordon Highland
crs were there.
Cyclist scouts have since been across
the Tugela bridge. They saw a number
Of killed lying on the plain.
Missed Grand Opportunity.
Apparently, when the Colenso garri
son evacuated that place, Friday, the
British troops missed a grand oppor
tunity of carrying out an effective at
tack on the rear of the disconnected
Beers. The latter appear to believe
that the Colenso column evacuated the
place as a ruse, and are lying in am.
bush to surprise them if they advance
hence the immunity of the town from
occupation by the burghers.
Bridge Blown Up by the Beers.
Queenstown, Cape Colony. Sunday
Nov. Sit is reported that the Beers
have blown up the Stormberg-Spruit
bridge, as a terrific explosion was
heard in the direction of the bridge.