The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-10-17
BOERS REPULSED.
Driven Back From Mafeking
With Heavy Loss.
Attack an ArmOred Train and
Get Hot Reception.
A DYNAMITE TRAIN
Fired Upon and Blown Up by
the Dutch.
Parliament Assemblies to Con-
l DYNAMITE TRAIN
Parliament Assemblies to Con-
slider the Situation.

Lorenzo Marquez, Oct. 17.-Refugees
who have just arrived here from the
TransvaaI report that the Beers have
been repulsed at Mafeking, sustaining
heavy losses.
FIGHT NEAR KIMBERLEY
Kimberley, Oct. 17.-An armored train
while accommodating near Spytfontein,
engaged the Beers, killing five and
wounding seven. The British had no
losses,
ANOTHER TRAIN BLOWN UP.
Pretoria, Oct. 14-Delayed in trans
mission)-Heavy fighting took place
this morning north of Mafeking. An
armored train sent to repair the railway
line opened fire on the Boer commando.
One burgher was killed and two-.were
wounded.
A second engagement followed in
which nine Beers were wounded. Yes
terday while Gen. Cronje's troops were
near the broken railway bridge nine
miles north of Mafeking an approach
ing train loaded with dynamite, was
fired upon and blown up. There were
no casualties on the Transvaal side.
BRITISH RETIRE.
Pretoria, Oct. 15.-Oelayed in trans
mission)-F'urther dispatches received
continues north of Mafeking. The Brit
ish after the second engagement retired
in direction Of the town but they re-
sumed the attack shortly afterwards,
two burghers being killed and three
wounded.
The commando engaged was impeded
owing to the want of heavy artillery,
which was subsequently obtained from
Gen. Cronje.
PARLIAMENT SITS.
London. Oct. 1s.-Parliament opened
today in extraordinary session to con-
slider the South African situation In
the speech from the throne her majesty
said:
MY Lords and Gentlemen: Within a
very brief period after the recent pro-
rogation I am compelled by events
deeply affecting the interests of my en-
pire to recur to your advice and aid.
1.-The state of affairs in South Africa
has made it expedient that my govern
ment should be enabled to strengthen
the military forces of this country by
calling out the reserve. For this pur-
pose the provisions of the law render
it necessary that parliament should be
called together.
Except for the difficulties that have
been caused by the action of the South
African republic the condition of the
world continues to be peaceful.
Gentlemen of the House of Commons:
Measures will be laid before you for the
purpose of providing the expenditure
which has been or may be caused by
events in South Africa. Estimates for
the ensuing year will be submitted to
you in due course.
My Lords and Gentlemen: There are
many subjects of domestic interest to
which your attention will be invited at
later period when the ordinary season
for the IabOrs of a parliamentary ses-
cin "a Ia ant
1 have invited your attendance in order
to ask you to deal with an exceptional
exigency and pray that in perform
ing the duties which claim your atten-
tiOn, you may have the guidance and
blessing of Almighty Cod
TO SHOOT ON SIGHT.
PretoriaS Oct. 14-(Delayed in trans
missiOn-The executive council have de-
cided to release all burghers undergo
ing five years imprisonment or less; all
other prisoners who are in the same
category will be sent across the border.
The French, German and Italian con-
suls have issued proclamations calling
upon their respective citizens to remain
neutral.
Commandant General Joubert has es-
tablished his headquarters at Charles
town and opened telegraphic cOmmuni-
cation with the Transvaal by way of
Laings Mex. Guns and food stuffs found
secreted in the mines of the rand are
cOnfiScated. The government has or
dered the commando outside Johannes
burg to act in case of any disturbances.
as it has been discovered that at
tempts are being made to tamper with
the railways the landrOsts have been
authorized to shoot on sight all persons
found near railways with dynamite
TAKING IT EASY.
London, Oct. 17.-Belated dispatches
from the scene of action in South At
rica throw little fresh light upon the
situation The Beers appear to be
strengthening their position in Natal
and biding their own time for attack.
The Orange Free State burghers are
threatening to invade Cape Colony by
way of NorvalpOnt and Aliwal north,
both of which are at their mercy if
they possess artillery. So far as is
known the only British force stationed
at AliWaI north is a detachment of the
Royal Berkshire regiment.
Today's news from the western bOr-
der reduces the alleged heavy fighting
at Mafeking to ordinary proportions
The earlier sensational story originated
in the skirrnishes between the armored
train and small detachments of Beers
although since then much might have
happened to the little garrison. It is
difficult to understand how refugees
arriving at Lorenzo Marquee should
have come into possession of serious
Boer losses at Mafeking. At the same
time it must be remembered that much
news from the TransvaaI is likely to
some by way of DelagOa Bay as most
other channels are strictly censored.
STILL ANOTHER TRAIN.
Cape Town Oct.17-It is reported here
that the oBers have had an engage
ment with another armOred train from
Rhodesia.
BRITISH BLOW UP A BRIDGE.
Cape Town, Oct. IA special dis
patch from Mafeking says that all was
intact there up to Saturday night. At
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