Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-11-16
ADVANCING ON LADYSM|TB.
BOer Lines Moved Up in Preparation
for an Assault

PART OF THE BOERS TO AT
TEMPT TO TAKE THE PLACE
BY STORM-BRITISH UNEASI-
NESS OVER THE SITUATION,
LONDON, November ia Pretoria
dispatch dated November 9 says re-
ports from Ladysmith were to the eff
feet that heavy cannonading started at
daybreak of that date, and that some
OF the Boer forces were within $500
yards of the British when the cannon
aiding ceased and rifle fire commenced.
1t also announced that all was quiet at
Mafeking and Kimberley.
If the news contained in the Pretoria
dispatch is correct, and there is every
reason to believe that it is accurate,
as the Boer dispatches have almost in
variably hitherto rendered fairly ac-
curate accounts, it is claimed here that
it implies that a general assault on
Ladysmith was pending when Gen.
Jouberts report was sent off. Atten-
ton is called to the fact that the date,
November 9th, is assumed to be the
date of Gen. Whites last pigeon post
message, announcing a renewal of the
bombardment, since which nothing has
been received except rumors from Est
court that the bombardment was sus-
pended on November 10Th. 1t is claim
ed that if the Beers got their forces
within 1,500 yards of the British posi-
ton it shows they fully realized the
necessity of utilizing the brief interval
before the arrival of the British rein
forcements to make a determined at
tempt to storm Gen Whites position.
To success sfully advance so close to
Ladysmith it is pointed out the Beers
must have been most active in en-
trenching, and the nearness of the be-
sieging lines, it is added, indicates
their readiness for the assault, which,
there has been a disposition in military
circles to believe, the Beers are not
willing to undertake. 1t must, how
ever, have been patent to Gen. Jou-
bert that Ladysmith would not fail to
the fire of his artillery, and, therefore,
he had no choice but to assault the
place or retire to the passes OF the
Drakensburg, in the hope of involving
the pursuing British in the intricate
- lo faiy
sation of the cannonade mentioned in
the dispatch and the opening OF mus
kerry fire implies, it is claimed, that
the Beers were Obliged to stop their
artillery fire for fear of hitting their
own men, and that nothing further has
been heard from this movement is re-
garded here as an indication either that
the threatened assault was postponed or
that the result was indecisive, other
wise it is claimed something further
would have leaked out before now.
A Paris paper to-day gleefully an
nounc.s the fall and capture Of Lady
smith, but reports from this source no
longer cause a ripple of excitement.
Nevertheless there will be considerable
anxiety here until the war Office or
some independent version of the latest
developments at Ladysmith is known.
A private mes5ag from Mafeking
reports that all was well there Mon
day, November 6. The details of the
fighting at Mafeking, received by way
of Cape Town and Magalapye, relate
to the engagement of October 25, al
ready reported. The story, however,
is pleasant reading to the British, as it
shows the garrison was cheerful, well
provisioned and confident
The possible revolt of the Basuto
chief, Joel, it has been announced, may
join the Beers is attributed to tribal
jealousy. There has been a long feud
between the half brothers, Jonathan
and Joel, the latter refusing to recog-
nize his brothers nomination as chief.
Joel, therefore, took an anti-British
side against Jonathan in 1880 and COM
mitted hideous atrocities If he joins
the Beers, it is prophesied, Chiefs
Lerothodi, Jonathan and others are
liable to make short work of the re-
calcitrants.
It was officially announced this after
noon that the British transport Goor-
kha. with the First brigade staff, the
Third battalion of Grenadiers and a
detachment of the Royal Engineers;
the transport Manila, with the Second
Devonshires, and the transport Noma-
die. with the Remounts, have arrived
at Cane Town. The transport Britain
MICA. with the Royal Irish Rifles, has
sailed from Cape Town for East Lon
don.
An undated dispatch from Mafeking
received by runner via Magalapye
Wednesday, November s, says: To
day all is quiet. We have been bonn
barded pretty heavily all week Fri
day night Capt. Fitz-Clarence and
Lieut.. Swinburn, with D squadron OF
the Protectorate regiment, made mag
,if.en4 B,avonet charge upon the BOer