New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-10-18
BOERS MEET A REVERSE.
ATTACK on MAFEKING REFUSED WITH
HEAVY LOSS

says that three hundred Boers and eighteen
British have been killed in a battle at Mafeking.
Colonel BADEN Powell made sortie from
Mafekins IN force and attacked the Beers who
were investing the town
After fierce fighting the British carried the
day.
a dispatch from Pretoria dated October II,
by way Of DelaRoa Bay. says:
\ cyclist dispatch was received from Otto
shoep. near Malmani. at this evening. assert
ing that heavy fighting had been in progress all
day long north Of Mafcking. The British troops
on board an armored train acted covering
force to military engineers engaged in repair
ing the track. a Maxim on the train kept up
continuous fire
Conspicuous bravery was displayed on both
sides. but II soon became apparent that the
rifles Of the hurghors were ineffective against an
armored train. The latter. however. was once
forced TO retreat before a particularly strong
assault. but il soon returned accompanied by
a British mounted contingent, and the fighting
was renewed herCely.
Fighting still continues the Beers holding
their positions we'll A dozen Roers were killed
or wounded but the British casualties cannot be
ascertalned.
Heavy firing can he heard south Of MafekinR,
where General Cronie's commando is operating
A corps Of experienced Continental engineers.
former NIl'fIS. mas ltlt pretoria TOT ln' SNulH-
western borders. escorted by commando Of
picked Roer shots II Is probably intended for
large dynamiting operations
4 big engagement IS expected shortly IN the
vicinity Of Ladysmith The forces Of Command
ant Pet Vvs are encamped on a mountain over
looking Dundee from which point they Will be
able to observe the movements Of the British
troops
~ TT u
A dispatch from Pretoria dated October II
gives the following account Of the fight;
Heavy Aghting took place this morning north
Of Mafeking An armored train sent 10 repair
the railway line opened fire on the Boer com
mando one burgher was killed and two We're
wounded.
\ second engagement followed. IN which nine
Yesterday. While General Cronje's troops were
near the broken railway bridge. nine miles north
II Mafoking an approaching train. loaded Win
DYNAMITE was fred upon and blown up. There
were no causualtes on the Transvaal side
Another telegram sent from Pretoria on the
following day says:
Further dispatches received by the Govern
rnent say that fighting continues north Of Mafe-
king The British after the second engagement
retired In the direction of the town, but thoy
resumed the attack shortly afterWard. TWO
hurchers being killed and three wounded.
The commando engaged was impeded owing
the Of heavy arullclN. Wllt'n WAS Nub-
sequently obtained from General Cronje.
The skirrnish near Spytfonten says dispatch
from Cane Town. was quite lively. The armored
train. with detachment Of the Lancashires, ap-
rroached unmolested until within range when
the Beers opened fire The Maxims we're In
stanJv set 10 work. and did great execution
among the burghers The latter also used ar
tnlory. but inefTectivcly. The armored train re-
turned to Kimberley unharmed.
BOERs SHOOT WILD.
The crew Of the arnored train say the Beers
fred thirteen shells but their aim was wretched
and not a single shot struck the train. which
then made bold to approach nearer and opened
fire with the Maxims
The burghers replied with heavy rifles, again
shooting wildly. only three or four bullets
struck the train
Subsequently, the crew learned that five Beers
end two Roer horses were killed. while several
Roors and horses We're wounded Not mem
ber of the British force was 50 much as touched.
From Cape Town comes the news that II IS eN-
nected the Beers VIII cut off kimherley's water
supply. but the De Beers dam contains enough
for considerable period
According to a dispatch from Mafeking the
British have blown up the Hopetown railway
bridge over the Orange River, with view to
checking the Boer advance southwark.
Advicos from Cape Town also say that Aliwal
North is isolated
= Is dincult 10 understand how refugees ar
rivine at Lourenco Marques should have come
INTO possession Of news of serious Boer losses at
Mafekine. as a dispatch from that place says.
A. the same time II must he remembered that
much news from the Transvaal is likely TO come
bv v.av Of Delagoa Bay, as most other channels
are strictly censored
PREPARATIONS ~ NATAL.
Tho Roors appear 10 be strengthening their
nosition in Natal and hiding their own time for
attack The Orange Free state burghers are
srnarently threatening to invade Cape Colony
~, c.ay Of Norvars Pont and Aliwal North. both
- ,,h,ch are at their mercy, II they possess ar
tillery. ,.-, ..o
stationed at AIiual North is a detachment OF the
Roval Berkshire Regiment
message from Pretoria on october - sa'u
that Commahdant General Jouhert had es'ap-
,,shoa h,s headonarters at Charestown, and had
onened tolegraphic communication with 'he
,rransvaol hy way # Laing's Mex
Guns and foodstuffs found secreted IN 'he
mines on the Rand are conhscated
rrho covernn,cnt has ordered the commando
outside Johannesburg 10 act in case of any dis
turbances.
The War Oflce issued the following bulletin
rorarding the situation in South Africa at I
o'clock this evening.
40 news Of any importance has been received
since Yesterdays notice.
Or Lcyds. the European representative OF the
Transvaal Government, replying to-day from
Versailles to an inquiry as to whether there was
any truth in the report that bonds Issued by
him or by the Transvaal Government for war
material had been dishonorcd. teleHaphed as
follows.
The statement that drafts FOR war material
have been dishonorcd Is pure invention.