The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-10-21

LONDON. Oct. 21-The dispatches re-
that the Beers failed in their endeavor to
execute a combined attack on Natal and
that the British have achieved brilliant
victory, but at the cost of a heavy list of
killed and wounded. The Boer plan, 1T is
evident. was to hold the force at Lady
smith by demonstrations of the Free State
burghers on the western side. so as to pre-
vent reinforcements being sent to Glencoe.
The latter place was to be isolated by cut
ting the railway between it and Ladysmith.
Finally. large force was to make con-
verging attack on Glencoe.
The first two items of the programme
were successfully carried out, but the COM
bined operation against Glencoe failed, ow-
ing. probably. 10 the fact that the Boer
military organization is too rough and anna
teurish to bring large forces into simultan-
eous action. 1t is believed that only 1900
Beers were in the actual action, though one
correspondent puts the number at 5000 A
report says that 1900 more were advancing
from Hattingspruit and battalion of the
Leicestershire regiment was sent to hold
them In check. but. as already cabled. this
force Is now in retreat The inference is
that only the column from the direction of
F'reiheid came into action, and that the
force from Ingagane failed TO arrive in time
and definitely retired after the position
taken up by the fianking column had been
carried by the British troops. Not an i'm
opinion between the younger and older
Beers. While the former were determined
at ali cost to push on and attack without
delay. the older Beers, who wished to wait
until all the columns were ready. had fallen
back to New Castle and left the others to
fight alone AS a result of this hastiness
the Beers were defeated and lost number
of guns 1t is considered probable that the
mode of conducting the campaign. and mu-
tual recriminations. if nothing else, will
hamper and delay their future actions
1t Is almost impossible TO overestimate the
Importance OF this initial victory, the result
of an engagement in which in a fairly
fought field. discipline and tactical skill
have told heavily.
After more than eighteen years the Beers
and the British have again met. not from
Laing's Mex and Majuba Hill. with an en-
tirely different result, and even if the de-
feat does not lead to wholesale desertions
from the Boer forces in disguest at the in
aptness of their leaders, 1t has had impor-
tant results. Besides restoring British pres
tige. 1t has proved that the Boer artillery.
whether directed by Germans or not, Is
practically valueless. On the other hand it
has proved to the Beers that the British
artillery Is equally effective. 1t is quite
possible that the so-called plugged shells
were defective Melinite shells.
The report that the British captured sew
enteen guns appears to be Incorrect.
1t is hoped from the latest report that
General Symons's wound is not mortal 1t is
expected that his command will now be
intrusted TO Sir Archibald Hunter. While
expressing sympathy with the gallant Of
ficer and regret that his services are lost to
the forces. the editorials in this morning .
papers are ringing with songs of victory and
ridicule Of the Boer threat to drive the
British into the sea.
The general belief Is that the Beers will
now confine themselves to guerrilla tactics.