New-York tribune., 1899-11-26
BOERS LESS ACTIVE.
Continued from hrst pnge.

on Generals Gatacre and French. infct crush
ing defeat on them. The general opinion now
ever is that he will proceed north and attack
the Beers at Modder River. thus relieving KIM
berley.
There Is much anxiety now as to the rate Oh
Nafek,np IN view OF the latest and somewhat
despondent advices. II was rumoreo IN 'ne
Glasgow Stock Exchange to-day that Mafeking
has surrendered. but the War ONCE ofhc'als ue-
clare they have nothing conhrmatory or other
wise.
RELIEF FORCE THAT NEEDS RELIEF
In the mean while the news from Natai Is not
encouraging. Estcourt and the Mooi rive
camp are both hard pressed and 1t seems almost
a joke TO regard the garrisons as FORMING par
OF the relief force for Ladysmith
dispatch from Pretoria, dated Thursoay'
gives advices from south of Ladysmith 10 'he
effect that General Joubert the same morning
shelled Estcourt Camp but without response
The inhabitants OF the town were reported to be
leaving.
The dispatch from Pretoria also indicates that
news Of the battle OF Belmont had reacheo fIe-
toria. as II says heavy fighting is reported
south of Kimberley to-day between the free
Staters and supposed British relief force from
the Orange River"
The foregoing dispatch does not refer 10 the
British attack on the Boer position at WHO"
Grange. outside OF Estcourt, the previous day.
which was reported by the English newspaper
correspondents The attack is said TO nave
been a surprise. and, although the British re-
tired 10 Estcourt, they did not do so until they
had bayoneted eighty Beers and captured all
their equipment and number OF horses A pls
gun posted in position the capture OF "hlch
appears TO have been the British objective was
found TO have been removed. The story Is thus
circumstantial though no official confirmation
IS yet forthcoming.
An official statement was issued at Durham
Yesterday that there were no Beers south OF the
Mooi River The Beers. however. as SHOWN IN
recent dispatches, are rapidly closing rouno the
Mooi River Camp. An armored uam anu
mounted patrols which reconnotred the country
around on Wednesday reported seeing but re"
Of the enemy. Yet the following day the Beers
were found in strong force In two directions
near by. This shows the extreme mobility of the
Boer forces
The Beers have surrendered TO the British at
Nottingham Road Station. south of the Mooi
River and there are reports that the Boer forces
are starving, which, 1t is said. explains their
raiding farms
Numbers OF loyal Natal farmers have taken
the field in response 10 the mobilization OF the
rife associations and are now doing splendid
scouting work Two Of these volunteer patrols
checked the Beers near Mooi River. The Gov
ernment has realized the value Of their services
and Yesterday authorized the raising or
mounted corps of farmers. TO check the Boer
raiding.
PLEASED AT AMERICAN ACTION.
The reported determination Of the United
States to compel President Kriger to allow Con-
sul-General Macrum 10 exercise his rights as
British Agent at Pretoria has created an excel
lent impression here. and has called out various
expressions of satisfaction and gratitude The
Pail Mall Gazette" says: go on
The United States Government Is not gong
TO stand any nonsense from President Kruger.
1t was the British representative who Kept an
eve on Hobson's captivity at Santiago, and II
was British representatives who did similar ser
vices for captured Americans everywhere IN
Cuba and the Philippines More power 10
Macrum's elbow.