Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-11-14

LONDON, November 13.-The stimuli
taneous attacks on Ladysmithl MAIZE
king and Kimberley, which were open
ed Thursday, manifest full recognition
by the Beers by the fact that every day
lessons their chance of successful on
slaught on any of the three British
strongholds. Gen. Joubert's chances Of
reaching Pietermaritzburg can be said
to have vanished. 1t is already report
ed to be admitted by Col Schiel, the
German officer commanding the Boer
artillery, who is supposed to have been
largely the author of the Boer plan Of
campaign and who in an interview is
alleged to have said: "The Boer inten-
ton was to have captured Pietermar-
itzburg and then to dictate terms. But
all hope of accomplishing this must now
be abandoned
There is no doubt that, from the
British point of view, the general situa-
ton in Natal is rapidly improving.
Nearly 5000 troops reached South Afri-
ca during the last 48 hours, and by the
end of the week from 5000 to 1000
more will be added to the British
strength in Natal. These will prob
ably be pushed forward to Estcourt,
bringing the British force there up to
10000 men and making a general at
tack on Ladysmith by Gen. Joubert
very hazardous.
AS the cavalry and artillery belong
ing to Gen. Methuen's division will not
have arrived by then, the advance from
Estcourt may be delayed. But if it is
deemed essential to open communica-
ton with the beleaguered town at the
earliest possible time, Gen. Methuen, it
is believed, may decide to replace the
regular cavalry and artillery by the
Natal and Outlander mounted forces
and the Naval guns, in which case, it
is claimed, it ought to be possible to
to Gen. White by Monday, though, it
is added, the course to be followed by
Gen. Methuen must necessarily be die
tated entirely by official knowledge of
Gen. Whites position and resources,
and the experts hope Gen. Methuen
will be able to await the concentration
of the whole division before advanc-
ing, and thus have a better chance Of
dealing telling blow at Gen. Joubert's
main army, which, it is asserted, will
be caught between two British forces
and compelled either to fight a general
action or retire to their strongholds.
The Drakensberg disptach, by way of
Durham, which was brought in by a
Kaff1r, reporting a severe defeat Of
the Beers at Ladysmith Thursday, may
turn out to be correct, but in view OF
previous experience, it must be re-
ceived with caution. 1t appears, how
ever, certain that fighting occurred and
that the Lyddite of the naval guns
must have had dire effect upon the
Burgher forces if it reached them.
A belated despatch from Ladysmith,
dated November 9Th, by way of East
court, under date of November 9. con-
firms the idea that the temporary ces-
sation of the Boer bumbardment was
due to Gen. Joubert awaiting the arriv-
al of other position guns before tack
ling the work in earnest It also SAYS:
" Everyone is cheerful and confident.
We can show a rigid front for weeks to
come. Hitherto the bombardment has
done little damage. Yesterday the
Beers sent in eight wounded from Dun
dee. We have been by train to the
Beers advanced post. The Beers con-
slider their success was due TO the just
ness of their cause. They have been
guilty of abusing the Red Cross flag.
News from the South is scanty. A
number of guns are in position all
round US. 1t was difficult at first to To-
cate them as they use smokeless explos-
ives, but balloon managed to discov-
er all the positions
All the news from Kimberley and
Mafeking continues to point to the
ability of those places to hold out until
the plans of relief now maturing can be
consummated-
Capt. The Hon. Douglas, Henry Mar
sham. reported killed in the dispatches