Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-11-09
THE WAR IN AFRICA.
Accounts Continue to Arrive Of tht
Fighting on Farquhar's Farm.
The NARROW ESCAPE OF Gen. WHITE
Beers Threaten to Attack Ladysmith u
Force and the Nom Combatants Are
Sent Bombardment
of Mafeking.

London, Nov. 4.--There was very
little fresh intelligence yesterday, but
it is believed that the Delagoa bay
route, if not already restored, speedily
will be, thus giving quicker communi'
cation with the Cape. The situation is
still hopeful. The accounts that con
tinue to arrive regarding the fighting
on Farouhar's farm only confirm its
serious nature and the narrow escape
Gen. White had. On this point tht
Morning Post remarks: Nothing
tells such tale of battle as the list OF
the missing. When the missing exceed
the killed, it is almost safe TO write de-
feat across the story, because missing
means abandonment or surrender.
1t now appears as If it were only the
arrival of the naval contingent from
the Powerful which prevented a worse
disaster. 1t seems that, when it was
seen that retirement was imperative,
two Natal cavalrymen volunteered tt
convey dispatch across the Boel
lines to Maj. Adye, ordering him to re
tire, but the risk was considered toe
great and flag signaling was employed
instead. The distance was too great
and the ground too rough for cavalry
to go to his assistance.
According to dispatches filed or
Tuesday, defensive works were being
constructed on the hills around Lady
smith, and it was expected there thai
the big naval guns would be mounted
the following day. The Beers wer'
threatening to attack the town in force
on Wednesday and Thursday and thu
women, children and other non-com
batants were being sent by train tt
the south. Ladysmith is provisoned fo
two months.
The Standard publishes dispatcl
from Luxembourg, which says;
Until within very few days DR.. Leyds ha
been in telegraphic communication with Preto
ria through IN indirect diplomatic channel D
means Of which he has been able to inform tn
Transvaal Of the supposed British plan to cd
vance through the Orange Free State, With
view of anticipating this movement the Boer
will endeavor to capture or isolate Ladysmlt
and then to press on TO Durham. where the
would be able to prevent British debarkatior
while the main Boer army would hastily retrac
steps to defend the line Of the Orange river
THE BOMBARDMENT OF MAFEKING.
London, Nov. 4.-The special CORE
spondent Of the Daily Mail at Mafe
king under date Of October a. says:
Gen. Cronjes bomhardment OF Mafeking wa
monotonous The Beers fired 81 shells but di
no harm, the whole town, even the ladie
laughing at the affair. He threatens to bring
lO-pounder from Pretoria. Cron1e says he
sorry for the w0mens sake that he shelled I'll
town, but that 1t was not playing the game
send dynamite trucks among his men. Fiftee
hundred Of his command have since departed
the southwark. Small parties Of our garriso
issue forth nightly and harass the Boer GU
posts hear that the Daily Nails correspond
| emit Mt Lobatsi Is prisoner In the hands OF u
Beers.
B0ERs MOUNTING HEAVY GUNS.
London, Nov. 4.-The Daily Ma
publishes the following dispatch frol
Ladysmith dated Wednesday morning
Matters to-day are quiet The Beers are 81
parently mounting more heavy guns to II
north and northeast which are likely to give
trouble, A Boer contingent 1900 strong Of
clearly visible from the camp is streamlr
away to the south. The inhabitants OF Lad
| smith continue TO leave town.
| ~.f