The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-10-13

/ Durham, Natal, confirm the report tha.
| the Orange Free State authorities seized
| the Natal train~ that was leaving Lady
smith yesterday morning for Harrismith.
1ney also stopped train due to leave
Harrismith in the afternoon.
All the rolling stock has been ordered
down the country, out of reach of the
seizure.
1t is understood that telegraphc com
| mtmication with the Transvaal ceased
punctually at five o'clock yesterday af-
ternoon cTransvaal time)
THE ARTILLERY PRACTICE.
London, Oct PA dispatch from
Kimberley states that the artillery sta
toned there have been out practicing ut
a dummy force at a range of from 1000
to 1900 yards. The practice, which was
witnessed by many spectators, among
them large number of ladies. showed
excellent results. Trees have been felle6
and the bush cleared away in order to
give>the artlllerymen a good field fer
their fire. According to the same dis
patch defences have been erected IN all
directions and the garrison declare that
they are ''Guite ready to meet the tor
toise and give him a warm reception
when he puts his head above the kopJe'
BOERS MINE A BRIDGE.
Lourcnzo, Marques, Oct 12.-Informa-
tion has reached here that the Beers
Nave mined three piers of the bridge ut
komati Poort ON the komati river
FORCE 100 SMALL TO ATTACK.
Kimberley, Oct 12The authorities
of Mafeking are hourly. expecting an at-
tack i'll which event the wires betwepD
Mafek;ng and Kimberley will be cut, and
information entirely shut off.
The latest information regarding the
number of burehers assembled alongl the
Kimberley border is that it does not ex-
ceed $500. The Beers have only focr
field guns A successful attack upon
Kimberley is therefore considered impos
sible.
DESTROYING DOCUMENTS.
London, October 12.-The Daily Mails /
correspondent at Pietermaritzburg says
it is rumored at Newcastle that the de-
struction of documents discriminating
Kruger and other members of the exc
cutive has commenced at Pretoria.
TOLD TO ASK FOR PASSPORTS. 1
Cape Town, October 12.-1'he reply
Of the Imperial Government to the
Transvaal's ultimatum is published. Tt
was accompanied by instructions to
Conyngham Greene, British diplomatic
agent at Pretoria, TO ask for his pass
ports. The reply was publicly read by
magistrate at the evening parade of
the town guard here and evoked loyal
and enthusiastic demon Rtrations.
A panic has broken out at Vryburg
and a hurried exodus has begun, owing
to British refugees from the Transvaal
declaring that Il large force OF Beers
was advancing on the town.
Cecil Rhodes has arrived at Kimber-
ley.
WAR FORMALLY DECLARED.
Johannesburg, October 12.-War was
declared yesterday. The formal decla-
ration occurred at 10 o'clock this morn
ing.
non CODE MESSAGES.
London, October 12-The Eastern
Telegraph Company, limited announces
that no code messages will be accepted
LII 1dlt IONu.
MAKE COMMON CAUSE.
London. October 12-In reply to the
formal inquiry of Sir Alfred Milner.
Governor of Cape Colony and British
High Commissioner in South Africa.
President Steyn, of the Orange Free
State, announces that that State will
make common cause with the Trans
yaal.
OUR CONSUL IN CHARGE.
London, October 12-The Colonial
Office announce. officially, that Mr..
Macrum, the United States Consul in
Pretoria, with the consent of his Coy
ernment has taken charge of British
interests i'll the Transvaal.
THE RESERVES CALLED OUT.
Durham, October 12.-The Imperial
reserves i'll Natal have been called out.
Everybody has left Charlestown, the
last train bringing away the railway
staff to Newcastle, while the exodus
from Newcastle Also continues.
The fifth Dragons arrived this morn
ing from India, landed Immediately and