Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-11-14
KIMBERLEY UNDER FIRE.
Beers Bombarding This City with
Their Heavy Guns-Not Much
Damage Done.
FORCES CROSS FRONTIER AT BETHulIE

Last of Infantry Battalions Leave for
South Africa-Queen Reviews the
Troops and Makes a Short Speech
Anxiety in London Over the Scar
city of News.
Pretoria, Nov. 1.-THE bombardment
and attack on Kimberley started this
morning.
London, Nov. 13.-The following adj
ditional announcement was made by
the war office Saturday afternoons:
Gen. Butler wires that Col. Kekewich
reported, November S, that the lombard
ment of Kimberley. November Z, did no
damage, and that there were no casual
ties
Report of Skirmish.
The war Office has received from Gen.
Butler the following:
"Cape Town, Friday Night Nov. 10-A
accommodating force from the Orange river
had a skirmish with the enemy to-day
about four miles east of Belmont. cas-
ualties, in the Northumberland fusileers,
Col. G. e. Keith-Falconer killed; Lieut..
3. Bevan and H. c. Hail. wounded; in the
Wood and two privates wounded. This
Is the only report to hand"
The war Office has also received the
following from Gen. Butler:
"Cape Town, Friday. Nov. 10, 1920 p. M
The following message has been re-
ceived from Col. Kekewich:
" Kimberley, Monday, Nov 6.-Ihe
wounded are progressing satisfactorily.
Two unarmed natives have been shot by
the Beers at Alexander's Fontein The
conservancy post to the south of the Kim
berley reservoirs has been missing since
November 4. 1t Is supposed to have been
captured by the Beers. Browne. OF
Beaconsfeld, having ridden beyond the
barriers yesterday, is missing. It Is sup
posed he was captured. The situation,
otherwise, is unchanged
Ordered to Surrender.
Berkeley West, Nov. Ga dispatch
received from Kimberley says Gen.
Cronje sent message to Col. Kekewich,
calling on him to surrender before six
in the morning to-day, otherwise the
town would be shelled, the women and
children remaining at Kekewich's risk.
The Beers, it was added, surround
Kimberley in great force, with heavy
artillery.
Beers Cross Frontier.
Cape Town, Nov. Ut is reported
that Boer force from Smithfield has
crossed the frontier at Bethulie. 1t is
estimated to be 1000 strong, with field
guns. The latest advices are that the
Beers had not entered Aliwal North
yesterday evening, but the Besstekral
force of Beers was momentarily ex-
pected. 1t is said the Beers have al
ready captured some police and others
on the outskirts of the place and that
Aliwal North is deserted and defense
less.
The railroad has been cut at Vry-
burg, two stations south of Aliwal
North.
Another Boer force is reported to
have marched past Burghersdorp, to-
wards Queenstown.
The Transvaal contingent which was
expected to join the Free Staters be-
tween Springfontein and Bethulie is
reported to be delayed by want Of
horses.
Remain Faithful to British.
Maseru, Nov. 1.-THE Basutos con-
tinue faithful to the British and have
refused to reap the Free State crops,
which are rotting.
sending Forward the Guns.
Durham, Natal, Nov. s.-A large force
of men and guns from the British first.
class cruiser Terrible has started for
the front.
Last of Infantry Sails.
London, Nov. 13.-The last infantry
battalions under orders for South AT
RIGA left England, and the last of the
hussars also sailed, leaving the House.
hold regiment the only cavalry still
to be dispatched, and last but by nc
means least, the first battery OF the
howitzer artillery has started. Great
things are expected OF the howitzer bat.
terry, of which there are only three in
the British army. These fve-incl
breech-loaders are claimed to be of {
superior character and are expected
to be particularly serviceable in re
moving the Beers from the hills.
Causing Anxiety.
The entire absence of news of any
importance is having its effect on thu
nerves of the country, and the refer.
ences in the censored dispatches tt
heavy losses heighten the anxiety
It is pointed out that the absence O
serious news in such dispatches a.
have been received from Gen. Whit,
proves nothing, as the general is no
likely to send by pigeon anything ,un
pleasant or indicative of anxiety, car
riers being so liable to fall into TIN
hands of the Beers. There are sign
that the greater part of the Beers ar
concentrating between Ladysmith an,
Colenso, but the stories are so contra
dictory that it is impossible to asser
this absolutely.
Risk of Beers Great.
If true, it is pointed out that while i
cuts off Ladysmith the risk to the Boer
is also great, for it will give Gen. Whit
great chance to intercept their re
treat when Lord Methuen's divisio,
advances from the southwark, unles
in the meanwhile Gen. Joubert sue
ceeds in crushing the beleaguered gar
rison. That the latter is completin.
preparations for a series of desperat
attacks on Gen. Whites position is no
doubted, and heavy fighting may b
heard of at any moment. Gen. White
forces, it is asserted, must be endurin,
daily ordeal which will hardly i'm
prove their fighting efficiency, and TIL
danger of the shortness of ammunition
looms up largely.
Much Depends on Ladysmftb.
On the development of the situation
OF Tol