The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-27
KIMBERLEY's DEFENsES.

Correspondence of London Standard
Kimberley offers many points of ad-
vantage to the engineer who plans its
defense. The heaps of debris and tail
ings which mark present or past work.
ings tower above the town, and form
ready made earth works that could
hardly be surpassed for ready effective
ness. With the exception of those own
ed by the New Bultfontein, Otto's Kop-
je and Kamfer's Dam diamond mines,
all of these heaps belong to the gigantic
corporation which owns the greater
part, and practically controls the whole
of Kimberley. The nearest point on the
Free State border is at the edge of Bea-
cOnSfield-Once a f1OuriShing town, but
now a struggling, pOverty-stricken set
Element. Not far from BeaconSfeld is
the Wesselton mine, now owned by the
De Beers company. At that point the
frSt fOruhcat1OnS are found. They are
strong and seem impregnab1e, and it is
to them that Beaconsfeld looks for pro-
lection.
Passing from BeaconsfeId into the
DutOitspan road, Kimberley, a series of
redOubts have been thrown up to pro-
tect the SanatOrium-a private family
hotel-in which Mr.. Rhodes has tempo
rariIy taken up his residence. The four
redOubts and a camp of 200 men are
considered sufficient to protect the per-
son of the best-hate ted man in Dutch
South Africa. From the Sanatorium
occupied by dwelling houses, the Ma
sonic hall, a. hotel, the opera house and
several stores, until New Main street
is reached, near which is the crater of
the celebrated Kimberley mine.
Another prominent highway to the town
is the Barkly road, leading from towns
along the Naal river border. Four miles
from Kimberley is Kamfer's Dam mine
upon which is high failing heap, but a
the works are in hollow, it is not a
prominent as its neighbor. OttO's Kopje
mine which standing on an eminence.
practically commands Kimberley.
The mine is two and a half miles from
the town, and should undoubtedly have
been made, the first line of defense. The
first attempt which has been made how
TransvaaI road. Should an enemy pass
ing along the Barkly road have to be
ment of the native would be in the line
of fire. At the end of BarklY road a
much more pretentiOuS redOubt has been
erected on a debris heap. This redOubt
would demOlish the west end, and while
it might prove effective in repelling a
hostile force, would be even more disas-
trOus to the people living under the shad-
ow of the guns.
berley was never for a. moment entertain
ed, except on the principle that the De
best worth defending. That its safety
has been well looked after can not be
doubted, even though it be at the sacri-
hce of other portions of the besieged city.
As was the case at Mafeking, the peo-
pie of Kimberley made every effort to Sc
cure assistance for defense from the gov
eminent, but with the same result as in
the former town. The volunteer cause
has been languishing ever since the adj
vent to power of the present government
and nothing was left Undone that was
likely to minimize their utility, or to dis
served out to the men. with strict injunc-
lions that they should not be taken home
the effect being that they would go into
the field with a weapon of which they
knew nothing.