The Monticellonian., 1899-10-20
MAR NENS FROM AFRICA.
Lack of Photographic Communication Prevents Accurate News
 Being Obtained.
MANY STORIES REGARDING FIGHTING.
They Come From Various Points, But are searcely Published Be- fore They Are Dcnied-Enthusins- tic War Meeting ia London-1he War office Issues Note.

But are Seurcely Published Be-
 fore They ire Denied-Enthusins-
 tic War Meeting h London-The
 War office tssues n Note.
 -4-
 Lendon, Oct. 1.-The gradual cut ting off of outlaying points at the scene of hostilities in South Africa from telegraphic communication. re. dUced the accurate news obtainable to a minimum. Thus far, however, no re. liable information has been received of any actual fighting outside of the affair at kraaipan and occasional ex, changes of shots at various outposts There is no lack of circumstantial stories regarding fighting at variou, points but these are scarcely published before they are denied.
 The Only Salient Facts.
 The only salient facts in this morn, ings telegrams are that 1he Bocrs Lave advanced beyond Newcastle, and formed laager near Danuhauser, about 12 miles north of Dundee, and that Kimberley is isolated and proba. Lily invested. Kimberley has thus be. come the immediate center Of interest. The last message from Kimberley, prior to the cutting of the telegraph and the railway by the Boers. said: ''All the troops at Kimberley are weII.Y AS there are 3.6o0 troops there there IS little anxiety for the safety of the town. especially as the Beer forces is said to be only of about the sama strength.
 Premature and Speculative.
 Many stories of brisk fighting at that point are in circulation; but, al. though the forces are likely to have come into contact, all alleged details must be regarded as premature and speculative, especially if the report be true that the Orange Free State troops are now in complete possession of the railway from Kimberley to Orange River. 70 miles away. The alleged virulence of the Boers attacks upon Mafeking and Kimberley can readily be understood, when it is realized that BeUchHanaland is to the Boers what Alasace-Lorraine is to France It iS therefore probable that both towns will be forced 10 undergo a long and dreary investment before the British ale in position to send a relieving column.
 On the other side of the country. the Beers are closing around the British outposts and have already come into touch with them, and exchanged shots. Therefore, more stirring news is ex- pected.
 CenseIess Reports of Battles.
 Adyices from Cape Town relate that excitement is kept up there by cease less reports of battles, but that little uneasiness is visible in official circles. where the opinion prevails that Mafe- king and Kimberley are safe. It is thought, too. that the Boer. are aot likely to attack Vryburg, in Beehu- analand, owing to the fact that the population of that district is largely Dutch.
 It is assumed that the refusal of the RGers to accept battle in Natal last week, when Gen. Sir George Stewart White advanced and endeavored to draw them through Van Reenan's pass. indicates their nnwillingness to commence hostilities. On the other hand. the Boers are probably too as- tute to play the British game at the risk of an engagement on the ground where artillery could be brought into play and cavalry moved rapidly
 An Enthusiastic Wnr Meeting.
 The narrow city streets adjoining the Guild Hall and Stock exchange to- day were crowded. The immediate occasion was the meeting convened by the lord mayor of London, Sir John \Cce Moore, to declare the confidence of business men in the city proper in the South African policy of the gov ernment.
 Hundreds of members of the Stock and Wool exchanges and of the great banking and underwriting firms formed procession in front of their various offices and marched to the Guile Hall, singing the national airs. and waving flags, masses of troops at every turn. The Guild Hall was packed with people. ,, band stationed in the orchestral gallery led off in patriotic airs, which were taken up by the audience. amid the waving of uumberless union iacks.
 Mayor and shcriTs Loudly Cbeered.
 The lord maAor and sheriffs were loudly checred on arriving, and the name of President Kruger provoked d storm of "roohs." \ resolution ex- telling the premier, Lord Salisbury, and the secretary of state for the colonies, MT. Chamberlain. was pro- posed by the lcrd mayor, seconded by sir john Lubbock, unionist member of parliament for London university. and enthusiastically adopted.
 Patriotic demonstrations took place to-day at Birmingham Crewe and other towns, from which reserves started for Aldershot.
 VIII Name 1t the Maine.
 The Atlantic Transport Co, which gave the United States government ship for hospital purposes during the war with Spain, has now done Great Britain similar service. The ad- m flty have gladly accepted the yes. sel, which will be named the Maine.
 \ War Oaice Note.
 The war office has issued the follow, ing note with respect 10 the situation in South Africa The dispatches re- ceiyed do not point to any material change in the situation.
 Small bodies of Boers are reported