Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1899-11-09
.ELL IN A TRAP.
Beers Capture Two Regiments Of
English Troops.
Gen. Joubert OitgeneraIs EIis Oppon-
ents at Lad ysmith and Ensiandis is
Ashast at the Disaster-mafe-
king Refuses to Surrender.


White, commanding the British forces
at Ladysmith, reporting that the
Royal Irish fusileers, No. 10 mountain
battery and the Worcestershire regi-
ment were surrounded in the hills by
the Beers and, after losing heavily,
were obliged to capitulate.
There was a continuous stream of
callers at the war Office until a late
hour, everybody anXiously inquiring
regarding Mondays casualties. but
the war office declared that nothing
had been received since Gen. Whites
dispatch communicating the news of
the capture of the Irish fusileers and
the Worcestershire regiment. This
delay in getting further intelligence
is attributed in part to the break down
OF the east coast cable, but it stands
to reason that the war Office must be
possessed of further news, which il is
probably not thought advisable should
be published as yet.
The disaster has caused a feeling
akin to CONSERVATION and in Glouces-
tershire and the north of Ireland,
where the captured regiments were
recruited the blacllest gloom prevails.
families awaiting with beating hearts
the names Of the killer and wounded,
which are expected to reach a high
figure. Many homes are already in
mourning in consequence of the losses
sustained by these regiments in pre-
vous engagements. Public anxiety
was increased by a special dispatch
from Ladysmith, published in the late
editions OF afternoon papers, to the
effect that Monday before dark the
Beers reoccupied the old position held
by their heavy artillery, which Gen.
White had reported silenced by the
guns of the naval brigade, and had
opened fire again. The dispatch fur
ther says: The enemy il again
closing in and the situation is one of
grave anxiety. Beyond doubt the
Boer retirement was Il ruse to draw
Gen. White into a hilly country and
away from the British camp"
This last sentence is significant and
confirms the opinion of military ex-
perts here that Gen. White is allowing
himself to be outgeneralled by Gen.
,Joubert.
From the 'scanty advrces received it
seems tolerably certain that the disas-
ter was REPETITION OF the battle
of Majuba hill, though on larger
scale. The two regiments were al
lowed to march into a trap set for
them by the Beers. 1t is simply a
case of the Boer spider and the guile
less British fly. In fact the whole
engagement of Monday seems to have
been brought on by Commandant Jou-
bert, who slillfully conceived Il gigan-
tic trap, out of which, as the official
dispatch shows. Gen. White only es-
capped with difficulty.
Gen White advanced with the idea
of driving the Beers from the hill
seven miles out which Gen. Joubcrt
made an ostentatious show of fortify
ing on Sunday. The Boer command
er left a force sufficient to draw Gen.
White on, while with the mass of the
Roers he moved stealthily around the
British right to deliver a flank attack
and to endeavor to cut off Gen. White
from Ladysmith. The British COM
mander succeeded in beating off the
attack. but only with great difficulty,
and during the turning movement his
troops suffered from a thanking fire.
Harsh things are said in military
circles OF the British tactics. which
have made possible the ambush of the
Eighteenth huSsars at Glencoe and
now the loss of two fine regiments.
II is feared that Gen. White is no
match for the Beers in cunning, and
it is pointed out that if the British
commanders continue to lead their
men into obvious traps further disas-
ters must be looked for.
About 5000 fresh troops will arrive
at Cape Town on Sunday next from
England and will be available to re-
inforce Gen. White. Transports will
arrive there daily after Sunday until
by the end of next week $4,000 troops
will have been landed in South Africa.
These men are intended for Gen Bul-
lers army. but they will undoubtedly
be sent to Natal if the situation there
should become perilous. The British
army will eventually reach the huge
total of Sq.634.
London. Nov. 1.-The breakdown of
the Delaooa cable route, combined
with the monopolzation of the avail
able telegraph lines by the govern
ment and British staff officers, is re-
spOnsble for the fact that nothing
further has arrived from South Africa.
Lcndon. Nov. Especial dispatches
from Ladysmith, dared Tuesday, give
further details regarding the renewal
of the bombardment. The Beers, hav-
ing reoccupied their old positions, re-
mounted big guns. Their firing was
accurate. but almost harmless. Some
of the troops We're slightly injured by
splinters. Lieut.. Egerton and his
men from the cruiser Powerful did
splendid work and quickly silcnced
the Boer guns. The Beers aclinowl-
edge having suffered heavy losses in
men and horses in the prevOus battle.
Little light is thrown on the actual
situation by the news at hand to-day.
The magnitude of Mondays fight,
however. is more than ever evident.
Virtually three actions were raging
simultaneously, but it is obvious that
the intention to roll back the Orange
Free State troops was not achieved.
Gen. White has cabled the war Of
flee that in the engagement on Far
quhar's farm near Ladysmith on Octo-
her 30. when Lieut.. Col. Cartoons col
umn was compelled to surrender, six
officers were killed and nine wounded.