Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-10-17
DOM PAUL'S PLANS.
Apparently Determined to Strike
Before English Troops Are
Reinforced.

London, Oct. 1.-THE capture of the
armored train on the western border OF
the Transvaal is the beginning of few
anticipated reverses at the outset of the
campaign. The Boer plan is low I'm.
folding itself. 1t seems to be to strike
simultaneously at different points, with a
view of obtaining Il strong strategic posi-
ton in Natal before the arrival of the
British army corps. At all points the
British are faced by Boer forces Supe-
rior at least IN number.
The most dangerous positions, especial
~ since the loss of the armOred train,
are Mafeking and Nryburg. Col. Ba-
denPowell, who is in command at MAIZE
king, is a man of the greatest courage
and energy: but he has only 1000 men,
many of them irregulars whose fighting
capacity is not known. although 1t is
believed to be good. The fact that he
has moved out of Mafeking indicates
some apprehension: and III all likell-
hood, he will have to stand Il fierce as
sault or a prolonged siege.
Gen Sir George Stewart White, com.
manding in Natal, is estimated to have
about 1900 men. stretched in strongly.
entrenched positions from Ladysmith to
Dundee. He is a man of great resource
and has the valuable assistance of Gen.
Sir William Penn SymOns, experienced
in hill fighting in India. and of Gen. Sir
Archibald Hunter, experienced III Sou
dan campaigns.
1t is now expected that the session Of
Parliament will not exceed two weeks.
The opposition will devote its energies
in an endeayor to extract from the gov
eminent some information regarding the
conditions on which peace will be con-
Guided and as TO the future position of
the TranSvaal.
JinGoes Are Gratified.
Those who have been anxious for more
stirring news from the seat of war are
getting it to the full this morning. as, ac
cording to the dispatches, shooting must
have been nearly continuous along the
entire borders of the Boer republics,
while pitched battles have occurred OF
are occurring at various points IN Ma
tai and British Bechuanaland.
Most of these reports. however, remain
unconfirmed: As Mafeking is cut off
geographically. the stories from that
point are generally Of kaffir origin and
must be regarded with suspicion. while
there is every probability that Gen.
Cronje's big commando has begun the
assault upon Mafeling, reliable details
much stifl be awaited.
Further details are at hand regarding
the destruction of the armored train at
Kraaipan. They show that Capt. Mes
bitt. 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 culvert that had
been blown up by the Beers, who were
lying in wait for the train. The Boer
artillery Immediately opened fire and q
desperate fight appears to have ensued,
lasting for hours, with the odds greatly
against the British. The precise details
are uncertain.
Pounded by Boer Artillery.
It seems, however, that Il police patrol,
attracted by the firing, approached With
in about 1000 yards Of kraaipan. saw
still pounding at it, but noticed no re-
Spouse. The Beers seemed afraid to APP
preach antil the wreck was complete;
and the police patrol feared. as there
We're no signs of life near the train, that
the entire force had persisted in q desper-
ate attempt to get the train back TO
Mafeking, where they knew it was anX-
ioUsly awaited with its load OF guns and
ammunition. 1t is reported that the
Beers lost heavily, but there is no means
of verifying this. Two miles Of rails
were torn up.
There is no authoritative confirmation
Of the report that a battle has been
fought i'll Natal between Gen. Sir George
Stewart White and the Orange Free
State troops, although there is no ques-
ton that the Beers have crossed the
frontier at several points. They are said
to have eighteen guns; but if. as is re-
ported, the engagement began before the
Beers had formed a laager and thrown
up earthwarks. the British cavalry and
artillery are liable to have had the best
Of the fighting
1t is even already reported that the
British have gained great victory. that
1000 Beers were killed, and that the
British loss was very slight; but this
may be without foundation, as another
report has been published to the effect
that Lord Rothschild was in receipt of
news Of great British victory; but
when the Associated press representative
questioned him regarding the alleged dis
patches. he replied: L am sorry that |
have not received anything of the sort .
The probability seems to be that there
has not been any fighting as yet in Ma
tai.
Pretoria. Oct 13-(Delayed in trans
mission).- trial of Mr. Robertson,
the Englshman charged with enlisting
recruits for the imperial light horse, has
begun at Johannesburg