The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-11-01
THE Beers "SILENCED"
GUNS HAVE RE0PENED

GUNS HAVE KEUPENEU
The South African Republic is Confident Of
Ultimate Triumph, Claiming That She Has
Gained BechuanaIand and now Practically
Holds Natal. Meanwhile, Though Gloom and
Dismay Reign in England, Preparations for
Pushing the Campaign With Vigor and for
Swelling the Invading Army to Resistsss
Strength are Proceeding Apica.
London, Oct. 31.-1lhere was a con-
tinuous stream of callers ait tRe War
Office until late hour tonight anx-
iotisly inquiring regarding yesterday s
casualties, but the War Office declared
that nothing had been received since
Sir George Whites dispatch conrImunicat-
ing the news of the capture of the Royal
Irish Fusl:ers and the Worcestershire
regiment.
The disaster has caused feeling akin
to CONSERVATION, and in Worcestershire
and the north Of Ireland, where the cap
tured regiments were recruited, the
blacklist gloom prevails.
Many homes are already in mourning
lin consequence of the losses sustained by
these regiments in previous engagements.
Public axniety was increased by spe-
cial dispatch from Ladysmith published
in the late editions of the London after
noon papers to the effect that before
darkness yesterday the Beers reoccupied
the old position held by their heavy ar
tillery. which General White had report
ed sllenced by the guns of the naval
brigade from the Powerful, and had
opened fire again.
The dispatch further adds:
'.,fhe enemy are again closing in and
the situation is one of grave anxiety.
-.eyoud doubt the Boer retirement yes
terday Monday was ruse. to draw
General White into the hilly country
and away from the British camp"
This last sentence is significant, and
confirms the opinion of military experts
here that General Whites is allowing
himself to be outgeneralled by Comman-
dant General JolEbert.
From the scanty adyices received mp
to IL O'Clock this evening it seems toler-
ably certain that the disaster wars q
simple repetition of the battle Of Majuba
Hill, though on a larger scale. The
two regiments We're allowed to marcn
into a trap set for them by the Boefs
1t is simply a case Of the Boer spider
and the guileless British fly. In fact
the whole engagement of Monday seems
to have been brought ON by Command
ant General Joubert who skillfully con-
ceived a gigantic trap out of which,
as the official dispatches shows, Sir
George White only escaped with diff
Guilty.
Harsh things are said in military cir
cles of the British tactics which have
made possible the ambush of the Eign-
teenth Hussars at Glencoe and now
the loss of two fine regiments. 1t is
feared that Sir George White is no
match for the Beers in that cunning by
which Boer tactics are conceived, and
it is pointed out that if the British com
manders continue to lead their men INFO
obvious traps further disaster must be
looked for
Sir George Whites honest admission
his dispatches are regarded in some cir
cles as virtually placing his case n the
hands of the Home Authorities and it
is even rumored late this evening that
the War Office has already decided to
supers de him. The report, however.
is discredited in well informed quar-
tiers.
About six thousand fresh troops will
arrive ut Cape Town on Saturday next
from England and will he available to
reinforce Sir George White. Trans
ports will arrive there daily after Sun
day until by the end Of the next week,
1000 troops will have been landed in
South Africa. These men are intended
for General Sir Redvers Buffers army,
but they will undoubtedly he detached
to Natal if the situations there should
become perilous.
The British army will eventually reach
the huge total Of S9,G34. of which g.
ga will be regulars and the other %
600 miscellaneous, but excellent colonial
troops
THE BOERS ARE CONFIDENT.
London, Oct 31-Advices from Came
Town show that the Beers are gathering
i'll considerable force at Dewdrop. south
west of Iladysnith, while large forces Of
Beers are advancing over the Helpmaker
road. A big camp of Beers is to be