The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-11-08

5.5o T.. MA native eyewitness Of Thurs-
DAVIS battle near Ladysmith says the
Beers we're caught on the open ground
and raised several white flags. The Brit
lsh then advanced without firing 20 ac-
cept the surrender % the Beers. but were
received with a voey at close range.
Enraged at this treachery, the Lancers
Hussars and Dragons, followed by the IN
fantry with fixed bayonets, charged
through and through the enemy. and did
great execution. A lot Of prisoners and
loot were captured.
Another battle on Friday with the Beers
was precipitated according to the native.
with similar result
COLOSSAL IGNORANCE.
The confession, last evening, OF General
Lcrd Wolseley. the commander-n-chief,
that the Beers were more powerful and
more numerous than had been anucipat-
ed sufficiently explains the present hap
penlngs. and the war office will here
after have awkward questions 10 answer
In regard to its apparent colossal igno-
rance OF the Boer strength, which. both
I'm numbers OF men and excellence OF ar
tillery is apparently, a complete sur
prise to the British military authorities.
Mail news from South Africa show
how inaccurate have been the estimates
Of the Intelligence Department and the
governmental experts. II IS CLEANED there
from that a fair estimate OF the Boer
forces is as follows:
Around Ladysmlth. 5000: Traverslng
Zuluand, 1900; advancing on Burghers-
dorp. 5000: Colesburg, 1900; Kimberley
1000: Mafeklng. 400, and on the northern
Transvaal border, 400. Exact informa-
ton about the Boer artillery is lacking
but II Is known that General Jouberts
detachment. before it was reinforced,
consisted of sixteen Krupp field pieces OF
latest pattern, and two heavy Creuzot
siege guns, which but for the opportune
arrival OF the British naval brigade
would have rendered Iadysmith untena-
bic.
NAVAL GUNS.
In connection with the naval guns. the
most interesting and important expert
ment has been successfully carried out
az Cape Town with 4.I-inch gun. so ser
viceable at L.adysmith. One OF the British
cruiser Terribes guns, mounted on a
Scott travelling carriage. was nred IN the
same way as a field gun. with entire sue
cess.
The Terrible, with a number Of guns
thus mounted. Is on her way to Durham,
and. though the guns cannot now reach
Iadysmlth. they may be OF the greatest
value in the defence Of Pietermaritzbufg
which. It seems, win probably have TO
stand a siege.
The arrival Of the Terrible with tho
relief crews for China, and other available
men. must have placed in the neiZhbor-
hood OF 3 900 more men al the service OF
the military authorities.
EXTRA PRECAUTIONS.
LONDON, Nov. 7-Interesting news
comes from the channel squadron at Glib
ratar. showing precautions against al
eyentualities almost unknown IN E2ro-
pean waters In peace time. On the way
10 Gibraltar the fleet spread out touI
miles apart and sharp outlook was kept
for suspicious craft. At Gibraltar Elk.
ira sentries are posted at night at differ
ent parts Of the ships, with ten rounds
OF ball cartridges each. The small guns
on the upper deck and the fighting tops
are kept ready for immediate use, the
ammunition being on deck: a few men
sleep at the guns. the searchlights are
kept working. ali boats are hailed and
not allowed 70 approach without the per-
mission Of the officer on the watch.
AT KIMBERLEY.
HOPETOWN. CAPE COLONY. Sat
l.
received here from Kimberley. dated No
yember LIST. says:
Apparently the Boer reinforoements
from Mafeking have arrived as the
Burghers are more numerous and closer
all around Kimberley. The explosion Of
the dynamite magazine caused BY the
Beers firing the plain. was terrific. The
huts contained thirty-fye tons OF dyna-
mite, valued at 800 pounds. All tho
wounded are progressing satisfactorily"
NO ARBITRATION PLAN.
BERLIN, Nov. 7.-Regarding the al
legged scheme for arbitratng the Trans
vaal question a semi-ofiicial statement
has been issued as follows:
Nothing whatever is known here Of
any common plan of action upon the part
OF Prussia, France or Spain in the Trans
vaal question. In any case IL may ba
most positively stated that no such plans
have been brought 10 the knowlsdse OF
the German government from any quar-
ter whatever and, therefore, IL has not
been in position to reject any such OF
similar proposals"
COLBNSO INTACT
ESTCOURT, NATAL, 10 A. NJ, sunday
Nov. 6-An armored train went over the
Tugela bridge yesterday found Coienso
intact and also found the road ana ran
way bridges strong An Orange free
state force was sighted six miles rom
Colenso, on the L&ldysmith soc. X waa
supposed 70 have been engaged WIZ thS
British forces from Ladysmith THURSDAY
The Beers suffered heavily
1t Is rumored that the Natal Dutch tooA
part IN the engagement, siding WIN 'h'
invading Beers.
MUST AWAIT DETAILS.
LONDON. Nov. s-Bvidently more de-
tailed reports OF General Nhlte s.sss
az T,advsmith must b. received oetore
tho nuhlIc will be able to form clear
idea OF what has happened hep1tts
from various sources show that AnothtE
ip,rortsnt reconnaissance or ensaseush.
occurred on Saturday 10 the souln OF
7 ,,,,,sn,itb ana a Cape Town newspaper
rarorts that 200 Beers were captured
The me Daily Telegraph publishes me FOL
lou, rom Pietermarltzburg, dated eatur-
day evening: -, bot, mitch ard
orrsstn have been current since
10. ..,av that during a reconnaissance
49, 1ysnith northward toward Mata-
Iior' Hook and Nicholson's Mex the
pai,,sb troops engaged the enemy. Il IS
bIls M a Ivddlte battery drove the
ss $40 trto a valley where the British
49,, charged through them. The Boer
49, in this engagement are said TO have
roacbed 100 the British losses being
onIv about 100.
~. Is n fact that General Jouoert Grew
,r his line to-day. and that the Beers now
nniy have cutposts at Colenso."
-@
yebemently Denied.