Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1899-10-25
DOM PAUL HAS ENOUGH
TransvaaI President Favors Un.
conditional Surrender.
SO ADvICES FROM PRETORIA SAY.

The Beers Suffer Another Crushing De-
feat in the Battle at Elandslaagte, In
Which the mmander, General Kock.
Receives His Death Wound-Many
Beers Taken Prisoners, Among Them
Being General Jouberts Nephew.
London. Oct. pa special dispatch
from Cape Town says that advices re-
ceived there from Pretoria report Pres
ident Kruger as now being in favor of
an unconditional surrender. 1t is add
ed that it is expected the executive
council will meet at once to discuss the
ACCESSIBILITY Of such a step. The re-
port, it is stated here. must be ac-
cepted with reserve.
Ladysmith, Natal, Oct. 23.-General
de KOck, one of the principal Boer
officers and member of the executive
council of the Transvaal, was wound
ed in the fighting at Elandslaagte, was
subsequently captured, and died of his
wounds. Many other Beers were
captured, including Commandant
Schiel, German volunteer officer,
who was formerly an officer in the
German army, and Pet Joubert, a
nephew of the commandant general of
the Transvaal forces The loss in
killed and wounded was heavy on both
sides, that of the British being esti-
mated at 100.
The British were commanded by
General French, with Colonel Hamil-
ton in charge Of the infantry. Gen.
eral Sir George Stewart White, the
British commander in Natal, was pres
ent throughout the action, giving adj
vice and encouragement to the subOrdi-
nate officers, but leaving the direction
OF the engagement to General French.
Troops Under General Smith.
The forces under General French
comprised the Fifth lancers, one
squadron of the Fifth dragons, the
Imperial light horse, two squadrOns of
the Natal mounted volunteers, the
Twenty-first and Forty-second field
batteries, the Natal field artillery, the
Devonshire infantry, half q battalion
of the Gordon Highlanders, and half a
battalion of the Manchester infantry.
This included reinforcements which
were sent to General French's sup
port upon his report that the enemy
was strongly intrenched in a position
of great natural advantage for defense
and in greater number than had been
supposed. The Beers began the ac-
ton in desultory way by firing on
these reinforcements with artillery as
they came up from Ladysmith. The
English artillery played on the guns
<.f sA1H 1.,,nx vzIxv
Tended. The Boer gunners were driven
off several times, but returned when
the opportunity afforded and renewed
their fire.
Flank Movements Win the Day.
Late in the afternoon the English
infantry marched forward on the ene-
my's left and secured possession of
strong high ground, forcing the Beers
to retire. This involved very strong
flank movement. The infantry also
flancked the enemy's right, which held
very strong position, which was well
defended until flank attack was made
and the main position was carried with
rush, though with heavy loss. The
Boer camp, with wagons and guns,
was captured as daylight failed.
The Gordon Highlanders, the Man.
chester regiment, the lancers, and the
Imperial Light horse made the flank
attacks. while the Devonshire regi-
ment attacked in front.
The Devonshire regiment made a
superb rush against the main body of
the Beers in the face of a whitening
fire. They were twice checked, and
the advance Quivered for a moment
Then with ringing, roaring cheer the
regiment hurled itself on the enemy
like an avalanche. 1t swept over the
kopjes, bayoneting the broken enemy
in all directions. The Beers were
overwhelmed and astounded They
paused then retreated, and later raised
a white flag and surrendered. Two
or three hundred broke and ran. The
Fifth lancers pursued and charged
through them.
Battlefield Rough and Stony.
The battlefield was very rough and
stony, and, with the enemy's resolute
resistance, the victory was fine feat
of arms. There were continued heavy
rains during the engagement. The
Gordon Highlanders say that the bat
tie Of Dargai was child's play COM
pared with the fighting at Glands
laagte. A 14-year-old bugler belong
ing to the Fifth lancers shot three
Beers with revolver. He was car
ried round the camp when the troops
returned. Everybody testifies to the
splendid fighting and stubborn bravery
of the Beers. They were surprised by
the coed shooting Of the Englishmen.
The Orange Free State commands
were concentrating near Ladysmith in
large force, and this blow at one of the
enemy's main forces was most impor-
tant. The British killed and wounded
numbered about $50, according to the
report sent to the war Office in London
by General Sir George Stewart White.
That of the Beers is much higher,
while many were captured.
OFFICERS KILLED AND WOUNDED.
Victims of the Bloody Battle Fought at