The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-12
Six Casualties Should H
COLONEL FALCONER KILLED
Afrikanders May Risk Assault
on Ladysmith.
F0ULKES' REMARKABLE INVENTION
1t Will Probably Revolutionize Methods
of Military Reconnoissance-Wo-
mems Relief Movement Re-
ceiving Severe Rebuffs
F0ULKES' REMARKABLE INVENTION


brought forth no great news, and little
change has taken place either in Natal or
on the north and northeastern frontier of
Cape Colony. The chief fact is the opening
of the bombardment of Kimberley on Tues
day by Free State artillery, which proved,
according to an official statement, utterly
ineffective. The Boer investment of the
town, however, is said to be tightening.
Skirmfshes between the Kimberley
mounted troops and the Beers early In the
week resulted in severe Boer losses, the
British force losing one killed and one
wounded.
Advices from Orange river confirm the
report of the Free State troops advance
upon the north of Cape Colony, but owing
to the retirement of the British forces from
the borderland no serious collision has yet
occurred. The coming week. however, is
certain to see important developments in
this district.
An official dispatch recording a skirmish
near Belmont in which Colonel Falconer
was killed, three other officers wounded
one dangerously-and two privates slightly
wounded, is far from clear. 1t is not
known whether Colonel Falconer was pre-
pairing for British advance, or was mere
1y endeavoring to ascertain the numbers of
the Beers. 1t is considered somewhat re-
markable that four out of the six casual
ties should have happened to officers, and
this is thought to need some explanation.
The British lost good man in Colonel
Falconer, who was cousin of the Earl of
Kintore. He did good service in the Sou
dan under General Kitchener from the Lon
COLA expedition up to the present war.
:. will Risk Assault
As each day and each week of the war
draws to close without a decisive act at
Iadysmith, the proba bilty that the Beers
will risk an assault upon that garrison be-
comes, it is said, more and more imminent.
In fact, it is claimed that the campaign
seems to have reached a stage wehe 1t Is
absolutely necessary for the Beers to de-
liver telling stroke. Unless they decide TO
do this, their only alternative is to retire
within their own lines and strengthen them
selves against the impending onslaught py
superior numbers. That the latter course
will be followed without first making de-
termined attempt to oust OF capture den-
eral Whites force indicates that the cam
paign has been carefully planned and the
main objective definitely fixed.
Even If the Beers have already discover
ed that they have underrated General
Whites capability of resistance II is
up their expected prey without a desperate
struggle
They have tasted of the dangerous de-
lights of victory and revelled In anticlpa-
tion of still further conquest over the nam
unit opposing them, and this alone would
have great moral effect In persuadtng them
to risk much against Dadysmith, but now
II is too late for them to change The main
objective Mobile as are the Beers, they
could scarcely transfer the body OF nhelr
forces, which are at present concentrated
about Ladysmth, to any other vulnerable
british point without running the risk Of
encountering superior numbers, which are
already pouring northward. Moreover, any
weakening off THE Boer forces at Lady
smith would give General White splendid
opportunity of attacking and even against
Overwhelming odds, he has shown no hesi-
tation in accepting every opening TOT as
suming the offensive.
Beers Time Is Short
The Beers must know just as we'll as the
British military authorities that twenty
three transports will arrive in South Africa
before November Is. They must also real
ize that their time is short, for in the pres
ent emergency 1t Is believed General Butler
will not wait to organize an army corps,
but will content himself with rushing to
the front every regiment he can dispose of.
Hence news telling of General Jouberts 8
complete rout or General Whites capitula-
ton, 1t is claimed, can be expected daily.
1t is Thought more than likely that the
engagement understood to be imminent will
prove to be the most serious encounter of
the war. II victory lies with General Jou-
bert Ut will be a month or more before Gen.
eral Butler can dispute with him the pos
session of Natal; for, while 1T is still per-
fectly feasible to send reinforcements to
General White, 1t will be apparently abso-
lutely impossible ITO assume the offensive
were General White no longer military
factor. The destruction of the railroad
bridge over the river Tugela would greatly
retard the progress even of minor reinforce
mepts. while vt would much more seriously
affect the onward march of British force
of any proportion. However, there Is no
reason to believe that Ladysmtth has not
q good chance to Withstand the most de-
termined Boer attacks. General Whites
ability to hold his own until now and the
reported success which has crowned his
sorties have done much to restore conf
dence in him. If General Butler continues
TO send transports to Duroan and disem-
bark troops there General White will only
6ave tA wait abc3t fortnight before he 10