The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-11-18
poEn sIRATEeY.


| LudysBiith
| London, November 1S.--The absence of
news of any serious movement against
Ladysmitb seems to show that the Beers
are repeating the strategy adopted by them
at Dundee when they appeared in front and
,ondeavored TO effect surrounding move
ment This seems to have been their OBJ
ject regarding Estcourt and since 1t Is
impossible for relief 10 arrive for several
days IL is unlikely that further retiring
movement on Moot river will be made.
Major Wolf-Murray has returned 70
Ple,ermaritzburg to take command OF the
line of communication and Colonel Long
OF the Royal artillery has taken command
at Estcourt. The forces now at PETER
narizLurg are too weak 10 attempt 10
ojen communication. Artillery and cav
airy especially are badly needed and 1t
necessarily will take very long time TO
obtain aid owing to the difficulty In train
ing and the necessity of allowing the
horses TO rest after the long sea voyage.
From the indiscriminate distribution OF
the various divisions at unexpected points
ii seems clear that the original plans
OF General Butler have been wholly
changed. Not the slightest word regard
ing the new plans has been allowed to
escape.
fight arose owing to the advance OF
British column to relieve Kimberley, but
this reason seems incorrect all OF the most
reliable accounts reporting the engage
Inent as growing out OF a reconnaissance.
The announcement of the arrival OF
General Methuen at Orange river how
ever doubtless means that arrangements
are In a forward state for an advance
from that point II the advance has not
already begun.
Kimberley was safe Friday, November
TO- Last Tuesday a Boer force or 600
entered Alwalnorth, Cape Colony. noist-
ed the flag OF the Free State and declared
the town and district to be part OF the
republic. Tho activity Of the Beers In
this locality would almost point to the
necessity Of insnrng the safety OF the
column marching to the relief OF KIM
berley from attack from this direction
or from Bloemfontein
In view OF the reticence OF General
Butler, Il is almost useless to speculate
regarding the report OF movement TO re-
lieve Kimberley. II can only be intended
to withdraw the Beers. II possible. from
Natal. The object Of the occupation OF
Alwalnorth Is understood to be 70 pre-
vent the large quantity OF ammunition ut
Herschel being forwarded 20 jamestown
and thence to Queenstown. The B0srs
have notified the inhabitants that no loot-
ing will be allowed There are reliable re-
ports Of mysterious movements Of Fres
State commands along the Orange tayer
and important Developments are expected.
Everything tends to show that the relief of
Kimberley could only be safely UNDER
taken by strong column.
Lourenzo Marquee continues 20 send
Joubert stories. the latest being that no
news has been received from him ~ Pres
toria for three days and that q II rumorel
he was taken prisoner. It was announced s
that the duke OF Connaught was amoug the !
fret to seek employment in the var and
even offered to waive his senlorltE fox The
purpose. but 1t was not deemed expodleut
that an officer so senior 70 Sir Redyerp
Butler should serve under Him. The duke
was greatly disappoipted &.