Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-10-15

Now ISOLATED AND 1T is Be
LIEVED THAT A BATTLE is
NOW GOING ON THERE-THE
BOER ADVANCE IN NATAL IS
NEAR NEW CASTLE.
LONDON, October 14.-IThose who
have been anxious for stirring news
from the seat Of war are getting it to
the full this morning, as, according to
the dispatches, shooting must have been
nearly continuous along the entire Dor
ders of the Boer republics, while pitch
ed battles have occurred or are occur
ring at various points in Natal and
British Bechuanaland.
Most of these reports, however, re-
main unconfirmed. AS Mafeking is cut
off geographically, the stories from
that point are generally of Katfir origin
and must be regarded with suspicion.
While there is every probability that
Gen. Cronjes big commando has pc
gun the assault on Mafeking, reliable
details must still be awaited.
Further details are at hand regarding
the obstruction of the armored train at
Kraaipan. These show that Capt. Nes-
bitt who was in command OF the train,
was warned at Maribogo that the Beers
held the line. He replied that he was
bound to proceed. Nearing Kraaipan
the train dashed into eulvert that had
been blown up by the Beers, who were
living In wait for the train. The Boer
artillery Immediately opened fire and
a desperate fight appears to have en-
sued, lasting four hours, with the odds
greatly against the British. The pre-
else details are uncertain. 1t seems,
however, that police patrol, attracted
by the firing, approached within about
1000 yards of Kraaipan, saw the train
ditched, with the Boer artillery still
pounding at it, but noticed no response.
The Beers seemed afraid to approach
until the wreck was complete, and the
police patrol feared, as there were no
signs of life near the train, that the
entire force had persisted in a desper-
ate attempt to get the train back to
Mafeking, where they knew it was anx-
iously awaited with its load OF guns and
ammunition.
1t is reported that the Beers lost
heavily, but there Is no means of YER
living this. Two miles Of rails were
torn up.
There is no authoritative confirma-
tion of the report that battle has been
fought in Natal between Gen. Sir
George Stewart White and the Orange
Free State troops, although there is no
question that the Beers have crossed
the frontier at several points. They are
said to have eighteen guns, but if, as
reported, the engagement began before
the Beers had formed a lager and
thrown up earthworks, the British cav
airy and artillery are liable to have had
the best Of the lighting.
1t is even reported that the British
have gained great victory; that 1000
Beers were killed and that the British
loss was very slight; but this may be
without foundation, as another report
has been published to the effect that
Lord Rothsehild5 was in receipt OF
news Of a great British victory. but
when the Associated Press representa-
tive questioned him regarding the al
legged dispatch he replied: Il am sorry
that have not received anything of the
sort"
The probability seems to be that
there has not been any fighting as vet
In Natal
re Exchange Telegraph Company
has received a dispatch from Cape
Town, dated this morning, saying that
tae Beers have blown up another arm
pred train carrying telegraph operators
and linemen from Mafeking to Vry-
burg.
In connection with the rumored at
tack upon Mafeking a disouieting re-
port comes from Pretoria to the effect
That the Rustenburg and Marco COM
mancoes have crossed the border and
entered the Rooigrond territory be-
tween Lichtenburg and Mafeking.
Diowing up the bridge over the Maloppo
river and destroying a train load of
dynamite and track AS Mafeking de-
pends upon Rooigrond for its water
supply, the significance of this move is
evident.
The Beers. it is reported, have seized
the railway station north of Fourteen
Streams, between Vryburg and Kimber-
ley. Fighting is still continuing in the
neighborhood
The capture Of the armored train on
the western border Of the Transyaal is
the beginning OF few anticipated re-
verses at the outset OF the campaign.
The Boer plan is now unfolding itself
1t seems to be to strike simultaneously
al different points with a view OF OBJ
tanning strong strategic position in
Natal before the arrival of the British
army corps. At all points the British
are faced by Boer forces superior at
least in number
The most dangerous position. espe-
cially since the loss of the armored
train. are Mafeking and Vryburg. Col.
Bedan-Powell, who is in command at
Mafeking, is a man of the greatest cour-
age and energy, but he has only 1000
men, many Of them irregulars, whose
fighting capacity is not known. al
though it is believed TO be good
The fact that he has moved out of
Mafeking indicates some apprehension.
and in all likelihood he will have to
stand fierce assault or a prolonged
siege
1t is now expected that the session
OF Parliament viii not exceed two
weeks The opposition will devote its
energies to an endeavor to extract from
the government some information re-