The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-11-07
FIFTY MILES SOUTHEAST
THE COMPLETE INVESrMENr OF
LADYSNITTH ADMITTED.
TWO FIERCE ENGAGEMENTS WITH BOERS
Latter Forced Back Though British Suffered
Heavy Losses. These Actions Fought Be-
fore Ladysmith. Where viii British
Army Corps Now Land?
Army Corps Now Land?

Army Corps Now Land!
14ondon, Nov. 1870 a. m.-IThis
mornings news carries public knowledge
with respect to hostilities in South Afri-
ca very little further than the eviIcua-
tion Of Colenso and Stormberg. These
movements, taken together with the ad-
miralty statement that the public m1st
not be disappointed should the trans
ports, en- which there are about 10000
men not reach their destination ON the
dates Indicated i'm the published lists,
may indicate some change of plan neces-
STATED by the bad position OF affairs in
Natal. lit was expected that the army
CORPS would lamd near Cape Town for an
invasion of the Transvaal through the
Orange Free State, hut the landing may
now be diverted to Durham. Natal,
whittier it is fully expected Lieutenant
General Sir Redvers Butler will go with
i'm a week or two to Investigate the sit
lafion for himself.
There is also Il possibility of move
nent Through Delagoa Bay, and the aid
miralty notice regarding the transports
simply means i'm all likelihood that news
of their movements is to be suppressed.
sS1tronburg was understood to be the
DEPOT where stores, TENTS, gums, ammunl-
tion and ail the commissariat details of
the Third divis.on-that under Sir VIII
liam Gatacare--were in process of accu-
mulation.
The stores have been removed to
stSleenstown and an Obvious explanation
i 6f their removal arises out Of the Boer
advance from Bethune and Aliwal
north.
Reports from Naauw Reedeport is
about to be invaded seem 10 corroborate
the idea that General Buffers first busi-
ness win be to relieve Sir George Stew
art White.
1t is believed that the Orange Free
State commanders now have 1000 men
concentrated against Kimberley and on
the Free State Southern frontier. OPP
posed to them are only 1000 British
troops The towns whfcn lie open to
their attack are Aliwal North Burghers-
dorp, Steynberg Barclay and Molteno.
A dispatch from Pietermaritzburg
dated Friday, reports that railway COM
munication with Ladysmith is severed,
the Beers having effected lodgment at
Nolthrop south of Ladysmith about
miles. Among those invested at Lady
smith are Colonel Rhodes, brother of
Cecil Rhodes. Sir John Willougnby, and
it is believed DIR. jameson, as well rs
most of the press correspondents and
the Earl of Ava, son of Prince Dufferin
and Ava.
All the Cape railways are now in the
hands of the military authorities. Five
hundred tons of foodstuffs were seized
on board the steamship Maria, at Dur
han, consigned to Delagoa Bay for the
Transvaal. Twenty missionaries have
arrived at Durham from Swaziland
after many narrow escapes.
1t is reported from Boer advices that
the big gun which General Kronje had
prepared to demolish Mafelzing is not a
success. 1t is believed to be Il Schneider
Camel gun. weighing with the carriage
about ten tons. The recoil is so ire
mcndous as to throw the gun out of gear
every time it is fired. After using the
weapon two days the Beers gave it up.
1t is understood that when the time
come to arrange termse of peace, Natal
viii claim an apportionment of territory
which besides, recompensing the colony
fer losses sustained, will place it in
position less open to attack in the fu-
ture.
There are renewed rumors of another
engagement at Elandslaagte, with Sc
we're Boer losses.
Vague remarks in the dispatches point
TO the impending arrival of more big
Boer guns from Johannesburg, to be
mounted among the hills within range of
Ladysmith. Such considerations explain
the anxiety felt regarding General
Whites movement and position, not only
by the public. but in official circles
1he British retirement to EStcourt
has given the impression that it is in
tended to make a stand there. Est
court is the last important town be-
tween the Beers and the capital of Ma
tai, and if the Beers sweep past Est
court, nothing can keep them from Law
ing seige to Pietermaritzburg, which
cannot be expected to make a protracted
defence, while it's fall would be tre-
mendous blow to British prestige
throughout South Africa.
Already the British retirement south
of Colenso has given the Beers am op-
portunity to make a bid for the active
support Of the disaffected Dutch by
proclamaiming the annexation of the
| Upper Tugela section.
BRITISH LEAVE STRANBURG.
London, Nov. 6.--The Daily Mail pub
fishes the following dispatch from
! Burghersdorp, dated November :: THE