The labor world., 1899-11-25

LONDON, Nov. 25.-5 a. m.-Thus far
the spccial dispatches describing the
battle of Belmont bear a stereotyped
character proving that the hand of the
censor has been at work upon them.
| They are too incOherent to enable the
reader to form an accurate idea Of
| the event or to place a proper estimate
upon the value of the victory. All the
accounts agree respecting the splendid
! fighting qualities exhibited on both
sides. Nothing could have exceeded the
steady courage and pluck of the Brit
ish infantry in the face Of terrific fire,
while the BOer guns were splendidy
served, the gunners standing to them
with dogged determination exposing
themselves until the very last moment
and only becoming wild and inaccurate
in their aim during the final, deadly
charge of the British infantry.
! All admit, however, that the victory
could not be properly followed up and
utilized, owing to the want Of suf-
ficient cavalry. The pursuit of the de-
feated enemy by the Fifth Lancers was
evidently not very effective, and, cur
iously enough, while the correspondents
| report the capture Of Boer guns, Lord
Methuen's own report omitted any
mention of such an achievement.
| One statement says: THE remnant
Of the Boer army sought to escape to-
ward the Orange Free State terri
tory"
| AS all the evidence tends to show
that the enemy's retirement was order
| 11y hn lo Of
elsewhere.
The correspondent Of the Times at
Belmont says:
| after the battle the laager was
burned and the ammunition destroyed.
Cavalry and mounted infantry on
both hanks pursued the enemy but
were unable to overtake the retreat
ing Beers who got away with their
| transport. The Boer rout was COM
| plete and their losses are believed to
equal ours. They used some dunn dunn
bullets. Everything was in their favor.
It is rumored that there have been
some threats to assassinate recalcitrant
burghers, who are. tired of war and
ldeserting.
On the whole it almost seems safe
to assume that the Boer guns were MT
captured. The striking proof offered
of the excellent material. General
Metheun has in his brigade, is, how
ever, a matter of grat satisfaction in
England. There is an unconfirmed
rumor that the correspondence seized
in, the Boer camp contains evidence of
reasonable communication between
the Boar and the Dutch colonists
| General Whites dispatch of Wednes-
day effectually dlsp0ses of all rumors
of another sortie from La{iysmith and
Of the defeat of the Beers.
The situation in Natal remains un-
changed, a sortie from Estcourt to
Willow Grange having little effect.
The situation at Mafelzing is being
regarded with anxiety, in view of the
impossibility Of Lord Metheun being
able to relieve the town for some time
to come.
General Buffers destination is kept
strict secret at Cape Town, some
reports saying he has gone north, and
already cabled.
A dispatch to the Times from Mooi
River gives the British casualties in
the Willow Grange affair as three Kill
led and A wounded.
This is the first news of such q. heavy
loss and if correst, suggests a repeti-
lion of General Whites unfortunate act
of Oct. 30.
The Daily Mail correspondent at
Naauwpoort says:
"An opened, unsigned letter, SNUG
glad from Colesburg says Commandant
Gribler has taken prisoners ten Eng
lishmen and threatens to shoot them
if any heGm is done Van Renesberg,
the leader of the Colesburg rebels, who
} was captured by the British and is to
be tried for treason