Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-10-26

London, Oct. 2O.-There is still no
authentic news from Mafeking, but all
reports tend to confirm the belief that
Col. den-Powell is holding his own.
y considerable engagement is. an
ticipated in the vicinity Of Ladysmith
to-day. The combined advance Of
Beers and Free State troops in this di-
rection has been increasing with not
inconsderable skill, and shows a
steady approach ON the British posi-
ton. Gen. Sir George Stewart White
had 10000 men and twelve guns avail
able, besides q considerable force of
volunteers to hold Ladysmith, and no
anxiety is felt on his account for the
Natal country where. the engagement
is expected is fairly open and, al
though the worI, of moving them will
be difficult. the guns are likely to do
good work. The country is not IA
vorable for Boer tactics, and it will be
very difficult for them to avoid the ex-
posture of their tanks to attack by Il
vigorous and mobile enemy, already
occupying useful positions, that is.
supposing that they really mean to
fight and not merely attempt to draw
Gen. White farther out with a view
of surrounding him. Gen. White has
a large body of excellent cavalry
which will be put to good use.
The Times correspondent at Cape
Town says: "All is well. though COM
| munication is almost wholly cut off.
There is no means Of learning what
happens north &C Orange river. except
perhaps by way of REodesia and
Beusoto."
The Daily News Ladysmith CORE
spondent says he learns the natives in
Swaziland are taking form hostile
to the Beers According to the CORE.
spondent the Beers dread a Swat
rising. and most of the Dutch settlers
already having sent their wives and
families into the Transvaal.
The Cape Town correspondent of the
Daily News says that large numbers
of Basutos employed on various works
ing to Rasutoland.
The Daily Nails Cape Town corrc-
Spendent says the authorities at 10
hannesburg have announced that they
will make house to house search and
compel British subjects to leave the
town. The imperial authorities have
impounded 100000 sovereigns which
arrived by steamer for the Transvaal.
The money will be kept here until the
war is ended. Conyngham Greene
and Lady Greene sailed for England
to-day. An enthusiastic crowd as
sembled to bid them farewell Dis
patches from Brier state that the
Beers advancing northward were re-
pulsed at I.obatsi station. This doubt
less means that Col Plumer's force
advancing to the relief of N1afeking
had encountered the Beers.
Ladysmith. Oct. 2O.-An official note
issued here says: A Free State COM
mando yesterday commenced actual
hostlities. The Free State has thus
taken upon itself the responsibility of
beginning war and cannot hereafter
pose rs the injured party.
1t is stated that the enemy'S scouts
are almost in touch With the outposts
at Glencoe. The Beers are working
around both sides with the idea OF en-
tering south of Ladysmith and attack
ing in force with the cooperation Of
Commandant Gen. Joubert
The British cavalry patrols have
been in action in Acton Homes and
Testers Station since yesterday, and
the action is still in progress.
| 20:
London. Oct. 2O.-A dispatch from
Ladysmith says that Il letter was
brought to the British picket by Boer
cyclists bearing II white flag, signed
by the Newcastle mn gistrate and sent
by permission of Commandant Gen.
Joubert. stating that the Britishers
who remained in Newcastle are all