Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-11-21
HOPETOwN, Cape Colony, Thursday,
November 16-Yesterday the Beers occu-
pied Campbell in West Griqualand.
ENGLISH EXPECTATIONS.

LONDON, November 20.-The present
week, according to dispatches from the
front ought to see a change in the de-
fensive tactics hitherto maintained by
the British in South Africa. 1t is said
that the task allotted to Gen. Clery, that
of relieving Ladysmith. will tax his
generosity to the utmost. The Beers
are developing a great deal of strength
in the neighborhood of Estcourt, and
Gen. Joulbert is reported to be moving
southwark himself in order to direct the
movement to repel the British advance,
after, it would seem, attempting to
isolate Estcourt. The latter movement
is already in progress. The Beers
practically
SURROUND THE TOWN.
Another small force was discovered at
Willow Grange, south of Estcourt, yes
terday Sunday evening.
Major Thornycroft, with detach-
ment of infantry, made sortie and en-
gagged the Beers, but with no material
result.
The so-caIled Boer attempt to rush
Estcourt on Saturday was apparently
merely reconnaissance, resulting in
the Beers obtaining the information
which they desired, namely, that Est
court is fairly strongly held and has
naval guns in position. The Beers then
withdraw out of range, but remained at
points commanding the exits from the
town.
Gen. Clery is
LAMENTABLY DEFICIENT
in cavalry and artillery, though at
tempts are being made to replace the
former by the Outlander infantry, of
which about 1900 have started for the
front.
The popular anticipations here re-
garding the relief of Kimberley appear
too sanguine. The British force is not
yet ready, and when it starts it will
have a dangerous road to follow, every
foot of which will probably be contested
if the British attempt a direct advance
SO, it is said, possibly instead of rush
ing directly for Kimberley the British
will advance across the frontier in the
direction of Vloemfontein, which may
thus be threatened. This, it is claimed
would draw off Gen. Cronje's forces and
enable the railroads to be restored.
From the presence of Gen. Butler
near Gen. Mathuen at Orange river, it
is anticipated that
THE MAIN ADVANCES
will be made on the west side; but, 1t
is added, unless Gen. Gatacre is able to
advance simultaneously and push back
the Beers who are occupying so many
points south of the Orange river, the
British lines of communication will be
seriously threatened
Gen. Buffers orders to his officers
on the subject of their equipment are
taken to mean that the officers are to
carry rifles like the troops.
1t is reported to-day that the Beers
have attacked Thurman and sustained
heavy loss. 1t is hard, however, to con-
lecture why the Beers would waste am
munition on a village, far out on the
plains, defended by two hundred po-
lice.
1t is further asserted that the Beers
have
NO SERIOUS INTENTION
of invading Cape Colony, but intend to
concentrate their scattered forces with
the view of opposing British advances
across the southern border of the
Orange Free State
The presence of the Beers in so
many of the towns in Cape Colony has
caused Sir Alfred Miner, the governor,
10 proclaim martial law in those places.
The British forces have retreated from
these points and are being concentrated
on the Orange river
The Irish Transvaal committee has
APPEALED FOR FUNDS
to enable it to send an ambulance to