The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-11-09

London, Nov 9.-To the ewes of mill.
tary experts the darkest page of the,
war Is now being written. But even
that is illuminated with bright pas
sages such as General Whites victor
lous sorties. If he can keep the British
flag flying over Ladysmith until he is
relieved the campaign will turn fresh
page, and with the advance of Sir Red
Vers Buffers force the British public is
promised more cheerful reading.
This feeling OF relief, inspired by re-
cent good tidings, is nevertheless tinged
by certain anxiety lest General White
should again make some fatal miscal-
cufation involving a. repetition of the
Nlcholson's Mex disaster. Her majesty
does not share this anxiety, and APP
parently is sanguine of his ability to
pull through successfully. 1t is assert
ed she has written to Lady White cx-
pressing sympathy with her husband
in the trials and difficulties he is now
experiencing, and assuring Lady White
OF her own undiminished confidence in
his generalshp. The purport Of this
letter has been cabled to General
White by the Marquis of Landsdowne.
The most interesting news tonight is
a dispatch from Estcourt announcing
the departure of strong force of
mounted troops for a destination not
given in the advices. Another message
announces the arrival at Estcourt and
Pietermaritzburg. within the last few
days of reinforcements from Durham
and that $500 troops are assembled
ready for advance to Colenso, when the
opportunity arrives. The latter dis
patch throws light upon the former and
the force which left Estcourt Monday
has doubtless reoccupied Colenso and
possibly is now advancing cautiously
up the road toward Ladysmith, General
Whites sortie of Friday almost to the
banks of Tugela river encouraging its
commander in the hope of Joining
hands with him.
General Joubert, the latest advices
would indicate, drew in his horns after
Fridays engagement and has since
Withdrawn the southern Boer contin-
gent, leaving only outposts on the line
from Ladysmith to Colenso. The Beers
who occupied Coenso about the middle
of last week retired without damaging
Bulwer bridge over the Tugela river
or the railway as far north as the viii
lage of Nelthrope, seven miles south
of Ladysmith. Evidently they nurse a
their descent on Pietermaritzburg
Meanwhile the British are also able to
use both, as they have already done in
running up an armored train, which
may at the present moment be cover
ing the advance of the Estcourt forces.
At Estcourt and PitermaritZburg the
defensive works have been greatly
strengthened within the last few days,
and they are now believed capable CT
holding their own against any Boer
force which General Joubert would at
the present juncture send against eth
er town. Both are likely to be strength
ened before the week is out by fur
ther naval force. and even by the first
detachment of General Buffers army
corps.
None of the troop ships have arrived.
The one which it was predicted might
reach Cape Town at the earliest on
Monday is as yet unannounced. and
even when 1T does arrive there it will
have three days steaming to reach
Durham. AS many as six transports
with 4,5O0 troops were expected to be
in Cape Town harbor by this time, but
the war office last evening issued Il
statement to the effect that the only
arrivals at Cape Town were the Sumat-
ia from Durham with wounded, the
Southern Cross from Gibraltar with
mules and the collier Wenvoe. OF
course it is possible that dispatch boats
have been sent to meet the troop ships |
with instructions to proceed direct to
Durham, and in that event the war Of
fee statement that not one has arrived |
at Cape Town would be literally accu-
rate, even though several ships may be |
half way between Cape Town and Dur
ban.
The situation looks brighter at Ma
fekinG, where the Beers are apparently
disheartened at the unexpected resist
ance, Il large body of their force hav
ing been detached to the south to as
sist in the investment of Kimberley,
around which the Gordon is drawing |
tighter. Evidently the Beers intend to
make a concentrated effort 10 capture |
Kimberley and their arch-enemy, Cecil |
Rhodes.
The reported departure of a Boer |
from Pretoria with German |
artillery gunners. moving in a Souther- |
iy direction, is taken to mean co-opera- |
tion in the invasion of the northern