The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-12
RENEWED ACTIyfTYIN sOU1H AFRICA

The first fighting in connection with the re-
lief OF Kim berley took place on Friday about
four miles east OF Belmont, a station some
twenty miles north OF the Orange River. on the
railway 10 X i'm berley A recon noitrinR force was
sent out from the Orange River bridge, which
appears TO be strongly held BY the British. and
near Belmont II came in contact with the
Beers. In the skirmish that ensued the British
loss was four officers and two soldiers killed
and wounded Nothing Ia said OF the result OF
the fighting nor the Boer loss. The railway
bridge across the Modderspruit. about thirty
1vc miles above Belmont, has been entirely
demolished by the Beers, so that even ~ the
railway 10 intact up to that point. transport for
the rest OF the advance to Kimberley will have
to be by mules and wagons.
or Kimberley itself little certain 10 known,
as the official reports naturally would not dis
close anything to inform the Beers OF the con-
dition OF the garrison or OF the effect OF their
bombardmsnt. Unofficial reports represent
the garrison and Inhabitants on short rations.
and War ONCE despatch states that one OF
tho outposts at the waterworks had disap-
psared since the 4th. and 10 supposed to have
been captured by the Beers. Relief was said to
be anxiously locke for. Boer patrols are re-
ported as having been seen In the neighbour
hood OF De Aar. probably In search ofin'orma-
tlon and OF an opportunity to Interrupt tel
egraph and railway communication. Strong
commandos are also said to have crossed the
Orange River at Bsthulie and Aliwal North.
and the railway track has been torn up at o
place called Myburg.
In Natal every effort 10 being made to put
Pletermn ritzburg in . state OF defence In case
Of an attack ny the burghor force under the
command OF Gen. Schalk- Burger. already re-
ported coming through Zululand. Meanwhile.
Sir George Whites position is critical. though
II 10 believed he will be able to hold out until
relief arrives. which II 10 expected will be
within three weeks from now. What 10 most
feared Is the outbreak OF malarial fever among
the garrison. IN consequence OF It's being
driven to the use OF the muddy waters Of
the Kip River that runs through the
town. What the movements OF the Beers
are leading up to Is not very clear, but from
the reports given out there seems to be con-
siderable activity on their part along the line
Of the Tugela, and force has been seen going
In the direction OF Springfield on the Little
Tugela toward the main road running from
Estcourt to the Olivcr's Hook. Bezuidsnhout
and Tintwa passes In the Draksnsbere Noun
tains. This would be to guard the right OF the
Free State contingent before Ladysmith.
Military critics in England are hopeful that
Ladysmith may DO able to hold out long enough
for Gen. Joubsrt's army to be caught between
two fires. In which case he might be compelled
to retreat with the loss OF all his artillery. and
tho war would DO brought speedily to an end
All danger. however. at Ladysmith will not. In
the opinion OF the military authorities In Eng
land. be past much before the end OF the
month. Meantime everything 10 being got
ready for an advance In force so soon as the
troops for the relief OF Ladysmith arrive.
In the north Of tho Transvaal strong oom-
mando has been organized to maintain peace
among the natives. and In the Zoutpansberg
district a place OF refuge has been chosen In
one Of the old native Businesses to which the
women and children were to be sent In
Rhodesia the South African Company's police
had had their equipment Of quick firing guns
thoroughly overhauled BY artihcers specially
sent out from England, and every precaution
was being taken in view OF possible rising
among the natives. among whom there were
signs OF unrest