The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-11
THE SIEGE OF LADYSMITH.
BOERs sHkLLING THE TOWN; rs
DEFENCEs STRENGTHENED.

A Vague Despatch Received by Pieeon-The
Towns water supply Cut OG-Troublo
with tho Naval Guns-Joubert and tho
Refugees - British Convoy Captured.
Social Cable DepstcAuD tvs sur.
LONDON. Nov. 11.-Beyond tho brief pigeon
message which Gen Butler transmitted
there Ia an entire absence OF news
from any centre Of operations In South
Africa. The pigeon despatch itself was
curiously impressive. 1t bore no date
and there was nothing to show whore It was
received. II Ia assumed that the despatch was
sent on Nov. 7 and that 1t arrived at Estcourt
or Pietermartzburg As one paper banter
ingly saws the pigeon arrived somewhere.
possibly bearing news. possibly only carving
the message which has been communicated to
the world"
1t is obvious that II the pigeon left Lady
smith on Nov 7. and there Ia no
mystifcation in tho matter. the Beers
chances OF striking an effective blow
are RAPIDLY ebbing. whils Gen. White is
daily strengthening his position. with the
prospect OF speedy re- reinforcement from incom-
ing transports. II Ia suggested that the big
guns which were recently reported as having
left Johannesburg are being hastsned to Gen.
known.
The ho'clkespsr. Bernard. adds to his prevl-
Gus news the inforna alton that the reason the
British naval guns are not ready 10 that the
concrete foundations on which they are
mounted are not thoroughly hardened.
IL Is inferred from this that when these guns
first arrived they were placed on temporary
stands which were found TO involve greater
risk to tho gunners and to the weapons them
selves than to the enemy.
Mr.. Bernard says that tho water supply at
the camp has been cut of and that the towns
people arc using water from tho Kip River.
Gen. Joutsrts action In sending refugees to
Lndysmith Ia regarded as an ingenious scheme
TO increase the di fleulties there by burdsning
the resources with number OF additional
non -com batsnts. Such tactics. OF course. are
perfectly legitimate.
II Is not believed that Com z m dant- General
Joubert was personally a party to the firing on
fugltives. but there are indignant com ments In
the morning paper. pointing out that he was
nom ally responsible for IL
LONDON. Nov. 1O-Cien. Butler has sent TO
the Marquis OF Lansdowne. Secretary OF State
for War. the following despatch from Cape
Town. dated Yesterday:
Il received pigeon post message from
Iadysmlth to-day. A bombardment at long
range continues daily. There have been few
casualties. and no serious harm has been in
fictcd by the Boers' fire.
Tho Beers to-day sent into Ladysmith a
number OF Transvaal refugees under a flag OF
truce. The party was met outside OF the
picket line, where the refugees were trans
fsrred to our custody The Beers rsopsnsd
fire before our party had time TO reGnter our
lines
Tho British entrenc N ents are being
strengthened daily. Gen. Whites supply OF
prov lsions 10 ample"
An offlclai despatch from Bulswayo. dated
Nov. 2. says that ANAL convoy. with an es-
cort under Capt. spreckley OF Col. Plummers
command. was attacked by the Beers on that
day. The convoy was captured and six British
soldiers are missing.