Warren sheaf., 1899-11-09
HIS 4 FATE UNKNOWN,
Persistent Rumors of the Surrender
Of Gen. White.
no CONFIRMATION IS RECEIVED.

The Capture Of CoIenso Hard blow
to the British-Latter Said to Have
Defeated Boers ina Fight
on Thursdny.
Lisbon, Nov. 6.-Persistent reports
are in circulation here that Gen. Sir
George Stewart White, British com
mander in Natal, has capitulated to the
Beers.
Not Confirmed.
Brussels, Nov. 6.-The Belgian news
papers continue to publish kilograms
from Amsterdam and Berlin reporting
the capture of Ladysmith, but no such
information has been received at the
official residence of DR.. Ledys. The
members of the Transvaal agency de-
clare that the only knowledge they
have on the subject is derived from the
newspapers. They decline to divulge
the .whereabouts of DR.. Leyds, but say
he is neither in Brussels nor Berlin.
The Feeling e in London.
London, Nov. The general belief
In london is that the Beers are now
waiting for more guns from Pretoria
before attacking Ladysmith. The fact
that Sir Redyers Butler appears to have
ordered retirement from Stromberg,
and perhaps from other places, relieves
to some extent the public mind, which,
otherwise, would have been further
alarmed. Confidence is felt in any
measures that Gen. Butler may deem de-
sirable. The knowledge that the pigeon
post is working has also come as relief
to the great anxiety previously felt
stgS3 Capture of Co1enso.
London, Nov. 6.-The war office has
issued the following announcement: 4
''The colonial office has received infor-
nation to the effect that the British troops
have withdrawn from Colenso and have
concentrated further south; but we have
no news of any engagement in that neigh
borhood.'' 3<
At six p. m. Sunday the colonial Of
flee announced that no further informa-
ton had been received regarding the
retirement of the British forces from
Colenso, and that the reported rising
of the Basutos had not been confirmed.
# Investment Complete.
4 London, Nov. 6.-The correspondent
Of the Times at Ladysmith, under date
of November 2, confirms the report of
artillery exchanges. He says: "The in
vestment of the town is now practical
ly complete. Last night the enemy
tapped the wires in our rear. He can
therefore cut our communication
whenever he pleases. It is suggested,
however, that the Beers believe that
Ladysmith is in their power
A Bitter Pill. .r l.
London, Nov. 6.-News that Colenso
has been evacuated was another bitter
pill for the British public, and is arous-
ing fears that the continental state
ments of second serious defeat of
Gen. White may prove true. A signif-
cant fact if that the war office does not
say when Colenso was evacuated, so
the statement which emanated Thurs
day from DR.. Leyds, the diplomatic
representative Of the Transvaal, who
is located at Brussels, that the Beers
had occupied Colenso, was possibly
true. There is much apprehen sion that
the war office is suppressing bad news.
The Siege of Colenso.
Colenso, Nov. 2.-Delayed in trans
mission. )-Colenso at this hour is
threatened by the enemy. His patrols,
in advance of Boer forces 1900 strong,
but without field guns, are marching
in an easterly direction to the north of
Colenso. Shots have been exchanged.
between the British and Boer patrols,
the latter being driven inward upon
the main body. The British patrols
lost one man killed and the Boer patrols
lost two. Heavy firing is now in prog
ress at Ladysmith, which the Beers are
shelling from their positions on Grob-
lerskloof hill, this side of Ladysmith
Boer Camp Captured.
London, Nov. GA special dispatch
from Ladysmith, filed Thursday after
noon, says: While the naval brigade
was pounding away at the Boer batter
les this morning, party of British cav
airy and volunteers were sent out.
Creeping round the hills, they surprised
and captured one of the enemy's camps.
Completely Routed
London, Nov. GA special from
Ladysmith describing the engagement
at Bester's hill says the Beers were
completely routed and suffered heavy
loss. Their entire camp was captured.
The correspondent goes on to say:
'The artillery duel at dawn, in which
the Beers guns were silenced, was in
tended to occupy the Beers and to enable
Sir George Stewart White to achieve his
chief purpose-the capture of the Boer
camp behind Bester's hill For this pur-
pose the lanciers, hussars, Natal carbineers
and Natal border rifles started under Gen.
French at sunrise and got within striking
distance before the enemy was aware of
their presence. A field battery was also
sent, and it secured a good position, COM
manding the enemy's camp, which was a
large one, laagered with army wagons and
other vehicles Bester's hill was we'll for
titled and provided with good guns At
nine O'clock the British opened fire, the
Beers replying with spirit, but bad aim.
The British quickly sent 42-pound she'll
into the camp, inflicting terrible loss and
spreading panic among the enemy. Our.
cavalry then stormed the position, the
Beers fleeing precipitately, leaving many
dead and wounded, as well as the whole
camp and equipment, in the hands Of the
Sryt.