The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-10-14
FIGHTING BEGUN.
Continuous Shooting and a
Series of Battles
Reported as Extending Along
the TransvaaI Border
In Natal and British Bechuana-
land.
MAFEKING is CUT OFF.
Assault on the Town Supposed
to Be In Progress.
Further Details Of the ArmOr-
ed Train Incident

London, Oct. 14.-ThOSe who have
been anxious for more stirring news
from the seat of war are getting it to
the full this morning, as according to
dispatches, shooting must have been
nearly continuous along the entire bor-
ders of the Boer republics, while pitch
ed battles have occurred or are occur
ring at various points in Natal and
British Bechuanaland.
Most of these reports, however, re-
main unconfrmed. AS Nafeking is cut
off Geographically, the stories from that
point are generally of Kafir origin and
must be regarded with suspicion.
While there is every probability that
General Cronjes' big command has be-
gun the assault on Mafeking, reliable
details must still be awaited.
Further details are at hand regarding
the destruction of the armored train
at Kraaipan. They show that Captain
Nesbitt, who was in command of the
train, was warned at Maribogo that
the Beers held the line. He replied that
he was bound to proceed. Nearing
Kraaipan the train dashed into a cuI-
vert that had been blown up by the
Beers, who were lying in wait for the
train. The BOer artillery Immediately
opened fire and a desperate fight en-
sued lasting four hours, with the odds
greatly against the British. The pre-
else details are uncertain.
1t seems, however, that a police pa
troll, attracted by the firing, approached
withip about two thousand yards of
Kraaipan, saw the train ditched, with
the Boer artillery still pounding at it,
but noticed no response. The Beers
seemed afraid to approach until the
wreck was complete; and the police
patrol feared, as there were no signs
of life near the train, that the entire
force had periShed in a desperate at
fn hack M9fRk-
ing, where they knew it was anxiOusly
awaited with it's load of guns and am
munition.
1t is reported that the Beers lost
heavily, but there is no means of veri-
flying this. Two miles of rails We're
torn up.
There is no authoritative confirmation
of the report that a, battle has been
fought in Natal between Sir George
Stewart White and the Orange Free
State troops, although there is no Ques-
tion that the Beers have crossed the
frontier at several points. They are
said to have 18 guns, but if as is re-
ported the engagement began before the
Beers had formed a laager and thrown
up earthworks the British cavalry and
artillery are liable to have had the best
of the fighting.
1t is already reported that the Brit
ish have gained a great victory, that
1000 Beers were killed and that the
British loss was very slight; but this
may be without foundation.
REMEMBER MAJUBA."
London. Oct. 14.-Gen. Sir Redvers
Butler, who will have the chief com
mand in South Africa ACCOMPANIED by
his staff left Waterloo station this af-
ternoOn for Southampton to go on
board the Dunottar Castle.
His departure was the occasion for
another patriotic demonstration. Gen.
Butler arrived at the station at 1:45 p.
m. With great difficulty his carriage
forced it's way through the crowds that
blocked every approach. The people
sWarmed everywhere and gave the sta
ton the appearance Of a veritable bee
hive.
Constant and deafening cheers marked
the approach of the royal carriages
containing the Prince of Wales and the
Duke of Cambridge and when Sir Red
vers Butler alighted and appeared in
the doorway of the station to receive
the prince and his former commander
in-chief, enthusiasm knew no bounds.
The immense waiting room was tenn
pOrarily converted into a, reception
room where the secretary of state for
war, Lerd Lansdowne, Lord WOlseley,
George Wyndhan, parliamentary under
secretary of state for war Gen. Sir
Evelyn Wood, Col Lord Paul Methuff
and a host of other celebrities were
gathered to bid farewell to Gen. Bull
ler
The Prince of Wales and the Duke of
Cambridge accompanied him to the
train. Meanwhile the people filled ev-
cry available spot within the station,
hanging even from the rafters. Thous-
ands of throats took up the cries Good
luck" and Remember Majuba" Ev-
erybody, the royal personages included,
uncovered as the train, finally pulled
out of the station.
The admiralty has been cautioned
against allowing ship owners who are
to provide transports to engage crews
at Rotterdam or Antwerp as these
ports swarm with Boer spies and SYM
pathiZerS.
The Sun of this city, publishes an in
creditable story to the effect that the
Beers have offered $4,000 for the cap