The Jersey City news., 1899-10-17
QUEENS SPEECH.
Victoria Tells Parliament to
Prepare for the Boer
War.
STILL SEEKING PEACE
Some Members of the House
of Commons Seek Arbi-
tration.
IBy Cable to The Associated Press ]

LONDON, OCTOBER L. lo55---f'eiaeSu ~
spatehes from the scene of action IN
South Africa throw little fresh light up
ON the situation. The Beers appear g pc
strengthening their position in Natal and
bidiug their own time for attack lhe
Orange Free state Burghers are appar-
emily threatening to invade Cape Colony
by way of Norvaps Pont and Ahwal
North. both of which are at their mer-
cy, if they possess artillery
So far as is known the only British
force stationed at Aliwal North Is DE-
tachment Of the Royal Berkshire regl-
ment
Today's news from the Western border
probably produces the alleged heavy nshe-
ing at Mafelxing to ordinary proportions.
Apparently the earlier sensational story
originated in the skirmishes between the
ar,nored-train and small detachments OF
Beers. although since then much may
have happened t the little garrison
1t is difficult to understand how refugees
arriving at Lorenz Marques should nave
come into possession of news OF serious
Boer losses at Mafeking. At the same
time. It must be remembered that much
news from the Transvaal Is likely to come
BY way of Deiagoa Bay. as most oiner
channels are strictly censured.
A special despatch from Pretoria, dated
october II, by way Of Delagoa Bay.
says:
"A despatch was received from Otto
shoep. near Melmani, at siz this evening,
asserting that heavy fighting had been IN
progress all dal long north Of Mafeking.
The British troops on board an armored
train acted as a covering force to mili-
tary engineers engaged in repairing the
tracks. A Maxim on the train kept up
continuous fire.
Conspicuous bravery was displayed on
both sides: but it soon became apparent
that the rifles OF the burghers were in
effective against an armored train. The
latter. however, was once forced to re-
treat before a particularly strong assault.
bbut it soon returned. accompanied by
British mounted contingent, and the
fighting was renewed fercely.
Fighting still continues. the Beers hold
ing their positions well. A dozen Beers
were killed or wounded; but the British
casualties cannot be ascertained.
Heavy firing can be heard south of
Mafeking. where General Cronje's Com
mande is operating.
"a corps of experienced Continental en-
gineers. former officers. has left Pre-
toria for the southwestern borders, es-
corted by a commando of picker Boer
shots. 1t is probably intended for large
dynamiting operations.
"A big engagement IS expected shortly
in the vicinity of Ladysmfth- The forces
of Commandant Piet Nys are encampea M
which point they will be able 70 observe
the movements of the British troops
A special despateh, II from saaS Cape dgTn lssn
teen British have been killed m pattle az
Mafekilig.
According to despatch from Pretoria
the Transvaal Government received an
offer from a wealthy European recently
to supply a feet of completely equipped
torpedo boats for the purpose OF blowing
Spufh African waters. The offer was
curfiv rejected President Kruger refusing
even to consider II.
The originator ofg the scheme, VINO naa
been IN Pretoria only twenty four hours,
left Immediately.
Today was the last day for the Reserves
to rejein the Colars: and the latest re-
that virtually all the Reserves have pre-
serted themselves
The Cork s'Constitution says tnat feW
evenings ago DIR. Charles Tanner, Ma
fIonaiisf' fxssIf Member Of Parliament for the
xli,lt3le division of Cork. WAS abusing the
Queen and the British soldiers. wf1ere,
hin dawn, promising TO repeat the oper-
alton If Dr. Tanner would rise. IL
Dr. Tanner says the soldier hit him with
4 sfone thus causing the swelling ana
discolorafion OF his face. |
aIy session to CONSIDER he South African
s'fna'ass' 81 tse speech from the Throne Her
Ms ss}fs oisras faaa and aentlen.n vlthIn