Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-10-26
WAR NEWS IN BRIEF.


Kimberly is garrisoned by a force e
$500.
1t is believed Mafeking will never sur
render.
Gen. White has $4,000 men under his
command.
Women and children have been sent
Back to Cape Town.
Englishmen are transported to the
Frontier free Of charge.
Germans Of all classes are said to be
prejudiced for the Beers.
Col. Plumer, with GOO men on the
northern frontier, is cut off.
Rhodesia to the north Of the Trans
vaal is completely az the Beers mercy.
In many instances different members OF
the same family are taking opposite sides
The force under Col. BadenP Powell con-
sists largely Of expert colonial marksmen.
At Mafeking the buildings are forti6oA,
intrenchments thrown up and mines are
laid.
Gen. Cronjc, a veteran Boer command
ant, has a force estimated at more than
5000.
The closing Of parliament at Cape
Town occurred without any reference to
eSe war.
The Transvaal has never been regarded
- other than a vassal state to Great
Britain.
Five hundred Britishers applied to the
Landdrost for permission to remain In
Pretoria.
Paris dispatches continue to narrate
the hostile attitude of France towards
England.
Mafeking is cut off by 1000 Beers, who
crossed the border forty miles south Of
the town.
Every man or boy who can carry a gun
gladly volunteered to fight with the
forces in the trenches Of Cape Town.
1t Is reported that the Beers have been
trying to induce the Basutos to aid the
enemies Of England and have failed.
A rumor is afoat in British towns that
the Beers intend to flood the mines. All
those in the Rand have been closed.
Reports say that the British plan Is
to limit the first engagements to defen-
sive measures, driving back Boer raids.
President Steyn of the Orange Free
xfate issued a strong appeal to his burgh-
Ts to unite and resist English agrees
sion.
The British forces at Mafekng are
commanded by Lieut.. Col. Baden Powell
OF the Fifth Dragons, a distinguished
fighter.
1t will seem a miracle to many observ-
ers II the small force at Mafeking does
not suffer a repetition Of the Majuba
Hill affair.
Two trains loaded with refugees from
the Transvaal came together at Victoria
West, Cape Colony, and nine persons
were killed.
Mafeking is the nearest British camp
west Of the Transvaal. North of this po-
sition the British are encamped at Ra-
saathlabama.
The announcement of President Steyn
that the Orange Free State would make
common cause with the Transvaar' was
not surprising.
Gen. White has supreme command In
Natal, Gen. Symons has the fourth divis-
ion OF the army corps and Baden Powell
has command in Bechuanaland.
Mr.. Conyngham Greene, the British
agent, ana his stan babe farewell TO
President Kruger Wednesday afternoon
and then took train for Cape Town.
Mr.. Hoffmeyer, the Afrikander leader,
whose efforts have been strenuous in the
interests OF peace in the Transvaal diff
Guilty, is so chagrined at the outcome that
ne is reported to have broken down and
to,be in dying condition.
1t Is understood that Sir Redvers Bull
Ter intends to so conduct the campaign
rs to involve as little bloodshed as pos
sible. He thinks no advance will be
made before February.
Two weeks ago the Beers could have
commenced hosti.ities with tremendous
advantage In view of England's unpre-
pared condition. They could have swept
Natal and driven the British far back
from oil along the border.
The feeling in France win not be soon
forgotten by England The sentiment OF
the country during the American war
with Spain Is dwelt on and her alienation
from the Angio-Saxon spirit of progress
made the text Of lengthy editorials.