The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1899-11-18

London, Nov. IA special dispatch
from Durham, Natal, dated Thursday,
Nov. 8, evening, says:
Native who have just ar
rived here report that the Beers suf-
fered a severe defeat at Ladysmith
this morning. The Boer guns were
silenced after four hours fighting,
during which the Boer losses were
heavy. No details have been received"
Pietermaritzburg Is Safe
London, Nov. 15.-The simultaneous
attacks on Ladysmith. Mafeking and
Kimberley, which are reported to have
opened Thursday, manifest full recog-
milton by the Beers of the fact that
every day lessons their chances of a
successful onslaught on any of the
three British strongholds. Gen. Jou-
bert's chances Of reaching Pietermar-
itzburg can be said to have vanished.
This is already reported to be admitted
by Col. Schiel, the German officer
commanding the Boer artillery, who is
supposed to have been largely the au-
thor Of the Boer plan Of campaign.
and who. in an interview, is alleged to
have said:
"The Boer intention was to have
captured PietermaritZburg and then to
dictate terms. But all hope of accom-
plishing this must now be abandoned"
There is no doubt that from the
British point of view the general situ-
alton in Natal is rapidly improving.
Nearly 5000 troops reached South AT
RIGA during the last forty-eight hours,
and by the end Of the week from
5000 to 1000 more will be added to
the British strength in Natal. These
will probably be pushed forward to
Estccurt, bringing the British force
there up to 10000 men and making a
general attack on Ladysmith by Gen.
Joubert very hazardous.
News Is Scarce.
London, Nov: 15.-Paucity of news
from the front still leaves the chief
interest centered in the arrival of rein
forcements. Estcourt dispatches say
that Photograph communication has
been established with Ladysmith. but
SO far no news has been received. the
latest date being Nov. 6, which shows
that the occupants of L%adysmith had
no news Of the outside world since
Gen. French reached Pietermaritzburg,
and that they were puzzled at the in
activity of the Beers. Every one was
confident and cheerful, but all were
suffering the Inconvenience of the
siege. bread selling at three shillings
per loaf.
Col. Baden-Powelr's dashing sorties
Mt Mafeking encouraged the hope that
the British garrisons along the west
ern border are all able to hold out.
Cecil Rhodes is employing 5000 men,
whites and blacks, at Kimberley In
roadmaking as Il remedy for destitu-
ton. According to a dispatch from DE
Aar. the Beers at Kimberley have got
the exact range of the mines and are
constantly throwing shells at the dyna-
mite huts. Several Of the latter have
been blown up and the damage done
to the mines already amounts to many
thousands of dollars.
Among the stories from Brussels is
one that Gen. Joubert and Sir George
| White have been ~endeavoring to ne
gotiate for the capitulation of Lady
smith. but have failed to come to
terms.
The stories of Father Matthews,
cabled from Lourezo Marques regard,
ing the surrender ut NichOlson's Mex
is too vague to be very convincing, but
in military circles it is considered un-
pleasant reading. and it will be impos-
sible to learn the facts until the Of
icer concerned has been cOurt-mar-
tailed.
Some Subordinate Blundered.
Lourenzo Marques. Nov. 15.-Father
| Matthews, who has arrived here from
Pretoria. says with reference to the
surrender Of the Irish. Fusileers and
the Worcestershire troops at Nichol-
sons Mex. that after the mules STAN
peded the force got hard pressedoby
the enemy. .-ey would have held out,
however, but some subordinate, with
out Instructions. hoisted a flag of truce
on his own responsibility. Nothing
then remained but to surrender.
Troops Are Arriving.
London, Nov. ia dispatch from
Cape Town to the var office announces
the arrival there Of the troop ship Ar
menian. with three batteries of artfl-
lery and an ammunition column and
the troop ship Nubia, with the Scots
guards and half a battalion of the
Northamptonshire regiment. This
brings the total number of reinforce
ments to 1892. Of which about 5000
are already on the way to Durham.
The Armenian and Nubia, whose
troops belong to the First division,
will probably also be ordered to pro-
coed. Nine troop ships. carrying H.
600 men, are due at Cape Town today.
RUSSIA ANNOYED.