The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-17
Revival of the Campaign In Natal.

Tho silence that has for the last week
shrouded what was passing in Natal ia at
length broken. and IL does not arpear TINT
there has been much change In tho fltuation
at Ladysmith since the censorship closed the
cable to the correspondents. Notwithstanding
rumors that the Beers were discouraged and
short OF supplies. they are giving evidence OF
great activity along the Tugela and about Co.
lcnso Efforts TO communicate with a,!ysmith
by heli3graph from Estcourt havo been un-
successful. and accommodating patty sent out
with an armorcd train from fstcourt was fred
on by Boer artillery with such effect that part
OF 1t was derailed north OF Frere Station. which
is about half way between Estcourt and
Colenso. In tho skrmishing that ensued the
British seem 10 hnvo suffered some loss.
and two officers with number OF wounded
and. 1t Is sald. soma 100 troopers.
are missing. With them was Mr. Winston
Churchill. son OF Lady Randolph Churchill
who was acting az correspondent for tho Lon
don Daily Mail The rest OF the train was dis
engaged from the deraied trucks and snc-
ceeded in getting back to Estcourt. Last Mon
day patrol ~ mounted infantry. belonging TO
the Sixt!eth Rifles, reached ChIeveley, a station
between Frere and Colenso. and some distance
beyond II discovered n party of Beers destroy.
ing the track near bridge they had blown up
with dynamite
No details are given OF tho British move
ments. but the arrival OF the best Yorkshire
regiment at Estcourt indicates that the troops
recently landed at Durham are moving up 10
the front. not, apparently. moment too soon II
the report that Bocr patrols have been seen
along the course OF the Mooi River that runs
south OF the chain OF hills behind Estcourt II
IL significant OF the semi-panic that seems to
have seized the British authorities In Natal
affair IL diaa ata m hn Hrt Late
Nicholson's Mex. that entrenchments were
thrown up at Durham and armed with guns
from the ships OF war IN port These guns
have now been returned to tho ships
On the Cape Colony side preparations have
begun for the relief OF Kimberley. but some
little time NUT elapse before An advance In
force can be made. Meantime British patrols
are feeling the country round Belmont. be-
tween the Orange River and the Moddcrspruit
but there appears to have been no encounter
with the Beers. since tho one already reported.
under Col. Cough. In which the British lost
several officers and men killed and wounded
1t 10 believed that the operations on this si9o
will DO under tho direct personal supervision
OF Gen. Butler
Though there nre persistent rumors OF tho
death OF Gen. Joubert their source leads one
to receive them with reserve. Should they ho
true. It would be great loss to the Beers, for
although he has been criticised for his ap-
parent excessive caution. great confidence hRs
always boon felt In his Judgment. His tnc.Ica
have generally been Of the Fabian order, hut
when he had decided to strike. he invarinbly.
delivered telling blow.
One thing to DO remarked 10 tho complete
tranquility that seema to prevail In tho Trans
vaaI. The natives show no disposition
to give trouble. but on tho contrary
are responding to tho call 10 cultivate
the farms belonging to the burRh"rs
In tho neli, while numbers OF tho Kaflrs
thrown out OF work by tho stoppaae OF
Aome Of tho Rand mines have gone
away to RhodNpia 10 work In tho
gold mines there. Khnmn, one OF tho
native chiefs OF RhodoHin, with q small oon.
tnrcnt OF his tribe, ID rnid to 10 nssisting tho
British column undor COL plummer. but IL
seems doubtful that ths British Government,
should sanction Tho employment OF natiy,s I'm
tho war. II having been expressly understood
at tho start that both sides would abstain from
bringing them into tho conflict