The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-10-14
FIGHTING HAS BEGUN.
Battle BetweenBoers and Sir George
Stewart Whites Forces.
BOERS ALSO ATTACK MATEKING.

They Are Reported to Have Already
Suffered Several Repulses-AnArmed
Train Blown Up and Fifteen British
Soldiers Killed.
London, Oct. 14.-An Edinburgh pa
per, The Scotsman. this morning as
sorts that battle has taken place be-
tween Sir George Stewart White, COM
manding the forces In Natal, and the
Beers, who entered Natal by way Of
Van Reenan's Pass. General White,
The Scotsman says, is very sanguine
Of the success of the British movement.
The foregoing report is considered to
be correct. as late last night the war
Office had news of British advance
from Ladysmith, and was hourly ex-
pecting further intelligence.
A dispatch which arrived yesterday
morning was as follows:
"An armored train has been Destroy
ed south of Mafeking. Fifteen British
soldiers were killed. The Beers she'll
ed the wreckage after the train was
derailed."
An official dispatch received at the
colonial office says:
"The armored train was destroyed
near Kranpan Station. while on the
way to Mafeking with guns"
This seems to dispose of the fear that
women and children were involved III
the d'~aster.
A dispatch to The Daily Telegraph,
from It's correspondent at Ladysmith,
dated at noon on Friday, says:
"A strong mobile column under Gen.
eral Sir George Stewart White, ac-
companied by General Sir Archibald
Hunter, proceeded before daybreak this
morning toward Acton Homes for the
purpose of accommodating. General
Whites object was to observe what
was going on, and also to test the ma
bility and efficiency of his forces. All
the men are well. and the weather Is
now fine"
The Daily Mails Cape Town corre-
spondent, telegraphing Friday evening,
says:
81 learn on good authority that the
Beers are attacking Mafeking. They
are reported to have already suffered
several repulses. 1t Is generally ad-
mitted that Vryburg cannot stand
strong Boer attack"
According to the Daily Nails Cape
Town correspondent, Mr.. Schenier,
premier Of Cape Colony, will unre-
seryedly support the imperial govern
ment. His previous reserve was die
tated by desire not to drive the ex-
IRENE Dutch residents to excuses.
According to the same authority the
railway department had early init
nation of the intention of the Beers
to destroy railway bridges over IA
streams, and sent adequate forces to
protect these points. The result was
that the Beers POSTPONED their attempt.
Eyart Grober. member Of the volks-
raad for PhiIippopolis, has been elected
commapdant general of the Free State
forces, He is only IS years of age, is
well educated. and was Free State del
egate to the Chicago exhibition.
The correspondent of The Daily
Mail further says that the Free State
forces have completed all preparations
for the destruction of the Bothulie
bridge when that action becomes nee
essary.
According to the Kimberly CORE
snontent If The Daily Telegram
Cecil Rhodes had a narrow escape from
canture while on his way here. His
train was DELAYED and he passed the
Modder river three hours after the ex-
niration NJ the ultimatnm, when the
poers ware onIv five miles distant and
aoma of thar snies we're actually on
the platform. Mr.. Rhodes laid low and
was mt recognized Had he been. his
contura would have heen easy as the
line was NOT defended He believes
ths strength NJ the enemy ia greatly
avn grarated and that thew will not
attacS the entrenchments The chief
cause ~ anrjetv ia Ignorance of their
artillery Strength
A disnotoh Pr,m nfareL,ne dated