Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1899-10-13

Cape Town, Oct. 1S.-A dispatch
from .vryburg says, that an armored
train has been destroyed. 1t is fear
ed much loss of life is the result.
The news has been officially con-
firmed.
London, Oct. 13.-There is reason
to fear that the train in question was
one that left Mafeking with 300
women and children. Taken in con-
junction with the earlier announce
ment from Vryburg that 1000 Beers
were holding that line it can only be
inferred that the train was destroyed
by artillery or blown up by dynamite
or some other powerful explosive.
There is still a faint hope that the dis
aster befell the train not while the
women and children were on board
on the way to Vryburg, but while re-
turning to Mafeking from Vryburg
with a detachment of Colonel Baden
Powells force sent to escort the refu-
geesa The war office however, fears
the worst has happened. Apart from
this destruction of the armored train,
the most notable change in the posi-
tion of affairs is the presence of Beers
at Maribogo, forty miles south OF
Mafeking which seems to indicate
that they are endeavoring to get Col
onel Baden Powell between two fires.
The gravity of the Boer advance can
be better estimated when it is realiz-
ed that they thereby cut the railway
and telegraphic communication with
the north.
CASUALTIES UNKNOWN.
London, Oct. 13.-The war office
has received the following dispatch
from the general commanding the
Cape forces: Cape Town, Oct. 13.-
Armored train from Mafeking escort
ing two seven FOUNDER guns sent from
here to Mafeking, was attacked last
night at Kraipan. Apparently a rail
had been removed. Train left the
track and the Beers fired into it with
artillery and after half an hour Cap
tured it.
Telegraphic communication with
Mafeking is interrupted. Women and
children have been sent to Cape town.
The guns belonged to the Colony.
They are light and old pattern. We
have no details as to casualties
ESCAPED DESTRUCTION.
Vryburg, Oct. 13.-The train from
Mafeking with 800 women and chill
dren passed Vryburg on its way to
Kimberly. All on board well.
Durham, Natal, Oct. 13.-The min
lister of public works, Lieutenant Col
onel Hine, received telegram con-
firming the report that considerable
force of Beers had entered Natal by
way of Laing's Mex.
ALL CAPTURED.
Cape Town, 4:05 p. m.-The entire
crew of the armored train except the
engine driver were made prisoners
by the Beers.
A BOER MANIFESTO.
Pretoria. Oct. 13.-An official man.
ifesto has been addressed to the Alrl-
kanders throughout South Africa, ap
pealing to them to resist the UNJUST
demands of Great Britain" accusing
Lord Salisbury Mr.. Chamberlain and
Sir Alfred Miner of treachery. lt
blames the Queen for condoning what
it describes as "Chamberlain's criml-
nal policy" and declares that the
clear desire and objects OF Great
Britain are to deprive the TransVaai
OF independence on account OF the
gold mines of Rand"
LONDON is ANXIOUS.
London, oct. 1S.-Despite the opti-
mistic reports of the ability of Mafe-
king to repel an attack, the greatest
anxiety prevails here regarding the
situation there, as 1t is known that the.
redoubtable commandant Cronje, who
captured the Jameson raiders has the
strongest force yet put into the field
with the exception of Commandant
General Joubert's force. Cron1es
troops number between nine and ten
thousand The position at Natal has
not materially altered. The reported
inroad of 5000 Beers by the way of
Tintwa Pass is probably Identical
with the inroad of force reported yes
terday as having crossed Van Rec
hans Pass. The Tintwa column, ac-
cording to last advices, has reached
within twenty miles of Ladysmith.
On that showing there ought to be
speedy news of fighting. Ladysmith
is at present the Aldershot of Natal.
Bloemfontein, Oct 13.-Martial law
has been proclaimed. A proclamation
has been Issued warning British sub
jects to leave the Orange Free State
before 6 o'clock Saturday evening.
Permits to remain may be obtained
from the authorities. The proclama
tion calls on burghers to respect those
who secure permits. President Steyn
made strong appeal to burghers to
do their best to secure the independ-
ence of the republic.
London, Oct 13.-An official dis
patch received at the colonial Office
says: Inc armored train was de-
stroyed near Kraipan station while on
the way to Mafeking with guns. This
disposes of the fear that many women
and children were involved in the dis
aster.
OFFICIALLY NOTIFIED.
Washington, Oct 1s.-The state
department was today notified of the
withdrawal from Pretoria of Conyn-
CHAM Greene. British diplomatic
agent to the South African republic