Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-10-18
FLIES WHITE FLAG
indications Are That the Town of
Mafeking is Planning Sur
render.
COVERED BY BOER KRUPP GUNS.

British Camp at RamathIabama Is Cap
tured AFTER severe Fighting. Many
Being Killed and Wounded Both
sIdes-CasuaIties Among Natives EstI-
mated at sixty.
London. Oct. 1S.-A Pretoria spe-
cial reports that a white flag is hoist
ed at Mafeking. The correspondent
does not know whether the town in
tends TO surrender Or not.
London, Oct. 1S.-A Pretoria spe-
cial dated at noon yesterday SAYS:
After few shots fired at Mafeking,
a white flag was hoisted, and BOer
party bearing a flag of truce was sent
to inquire whether the town surren-
dcrcd No definite reply was re-
ceived. The Boer messenger was de-
tained six hours and then released. -
Another dispatch says: The Boer
KruCp batteries are now covering the
town. and military engineers can be
which will probably be used by an
armored train of defense by the gar
rison."
Lorenzo Marques, Oct. IS-The
Volksten. the B6er official organ at
IEttOll:L, mas Inc IOlIO"InR- - ne
British camp at Ramathlabama, ust
north Of Mt. Neking, was captured
and sacked by Gen. Cronie after Sc
we're fighting. Many burghers were
killed and wounded. The British loss
is not known. The Volksten admits
that in various skirmis hes near Ma
fckiDg and at other points the Boer
casualties mum Der 90 or 20 killed and
wounded. "
Pretoria, Oct. l7.-Commandant
G,neral Joubert has occupied New
Castle, Natal
London, Oct. S-Ehe message
from the queen was presented in the
commons today saving the state Of
affairs in South Africa made it Leces-
sarv TO call out the militia and mill
itia reserves. The announcement
occasions widespread wonderment and
the old stories of preparation agai nst
the continental com binatiOn are re-
vivcd.
Heavy Fighting Near Mnfeking.
London. OCT. 1S.-A special dispatch
from Pretoria. dated oct II. hy way
Of DplI=Oa bay. says: a cycli>t dis
patch wHS received from OttoShUcp.
near Malmaui. nj Is o'clock yesterday
morning. asserting that heavy fighting
had been III progress all day long
north of 1iIfc5ing. The British
troops on board an armurcd train acted
rs Il covering force To military cngi-
nccrS engaged in rcpairin" the track.
y Maxim on the train kept UP IL CON
tinuoUS fire.
Train Once Forced to Retreat.
Conspicuous bravery was displayed
on both sides. but il soon became ap-
parent that the rifles of the burgherS
were Ineffective against an Hrmored
train The latter. however. was once
forced To retreat before Il particularly
strong assault but soon returned. az
companicd 10y Il British mounted con
tin.cut ana the lighting was renewed
ficrccly Fighting still continues. the
Beers holding their positions well. y
dozen BOcr> were killed or wounded,
but the Brifish casualties cannot bc
aScCrtaiucd.
Fight Expected Near Ladysnith-
Heavy firing can bc heard south
Of NIafckiug. where General Cronjc'S
command iS operating. y corps of cN-
IericnCrd continental engineers. former
officers. has left Pretoria for the
southwestern borders. escorted 10y
command of picked BOcr shots. II *
probably intended for large dynanit-
in. operations y big engagement IL
cNpcctcd shortly in the vicinity of
IadvSmith. The forces of Command-
ant Pict NyS are cncamped on Il noun
tain overlooking Dundee. from which
point they will he able to observe The
movements of the British troops
RRITISu PARLIAMENT OPENS.