The record-union., 1899-11-10
The Scanty and Conflicting News
Frem the Seat Of War
Leads 10 Fears That the British May Have
Met with Rsverses.
Orders Received at Woo1wich and
Davenport for the Mobilization
of a Seige Train, Which 1t II
Supposed is Intended for the
Purpose of Smelling Pretoria.


Purpose of Smelling Pretoria.
LONDON. Nov. 10. 4:30 a. m.-The
scanty and conflicting news from the
seat of war, and the fact that General
White has not yet said a word about
the alleged fighting around Ladysmltn,
are again producing feeling of gloom.
1t may be that General White has ~
news and that General Butler has
thought best to keep it to himself. IN
deed, this is the version that Is begin
ming to be believed, as it is held to pc
impossifie that the news of heavy
fighting brought by Kaffirs in such cir
cumstantial del-lil cannot be wholly
groundless. If this be so, it is ominous.
for there could be no ground for con-
cealing favorable news
1t cannot be long, however. before a
change ccurs. General Buffers forces
will soon arrive at Durham, and VIII
probably begin the advance to the re-
lief of Ladysmith about November 10th.
The Beers, if they ever entertained
the idea of a real invasion of Cape Col
ony, have probably now abandoned It,,
and will devote their whole energies to
reducing Ladysmith. They have only
about week to do this. The fact that
they are rather inactive indicates that
they are waiting for something which
they feel sure will justify their delay.
The latest Estcourt dispatches seem
to hint that the garrison is about 10
retire further southwark.
Orders have been received at Wosi-
wich and Devonport for the mobiliza-
ton of a siege train, which, it is sup
posed, Is intended for the purpose of
Smelling Pretoria. The force manning
it will approximate to the strength of
eight batteries. Its armament will be
thirty Howitzers, fourteen 6-inch guns,
eight 5-inch guns and eight 4-lnch
guns, the whole train weighing more
than 1900 tons. This will be the first
employment of a modernized siege
siege train by any European army, and
the progress of the reduction of the
force by lyddite shell fire, preliminary
10 storming by infantry, will be watch
ed with interest and curiosity by al
professional soldiers.
Three large steamers have Just been
chartered at Liverpool to convey the
10000 troops of the division which
Lord Wolsely yesterday announced
would be modified.
At Constantinople it Is rumored that
Lord Cromer, British diplomatic agent
in Egypt, has received instructions to
arrange with the Egyptian Cabinet for
the dispatch of 5000 Egyptian troops
to the Transvaal, but the report is
discredited here
NOTHING TO JUSTIFY UTTER
ANCES OF BRITISH PRESS
LONDON, Nov. 9.-The War Office
has received the following dispatch
from General Butler. dated Cape Town,
Wednesday, November Sth, IL 30 p. m. !:
Colonel Kekewich telegraphs from
Kimberley November Sth that all is
well there, and there has been no seri-
Gus attack as yet. a slight lombard
ment did no damage. Information
from Mafeking shows that place was
safe October 9th. Colonel Pl1mer
had successful engagement near Fort
Tul October 9th
General White reports by pigeon
post that the wounded and some civil
fans from Ladysmith have been re-
moved four miles down the railroad, by
an arrangement with General Joubert.
to neutral place, to save them from
the bombardment.
Ninety nine wounded from Dundee
have been sent in under a flag of truce.
They are all doing WELL including the
following officers: Colonel c. E. Beckett,
Major F. Hammersley, Captain F. T.
Adam, Lieutenant McLachlan, Major
BouItbee, Captain Dibley, Lieutenant
C. N Perreau, Lieutenant c. A.
Workman, Major w. Davidson and
Lieutenant D. E. Weldon.
THE bombardment was discontinued
November 4th and 9Th, and it is ex-
pected to recommence November 9th.
The absence of stirring war news and
the rehabilitation in the estimates of
the public of General White, who since
his reverse at Nicholsens Mex, certain
ly appears to have used his central po-
sition to successfully strike at differ
ent points of the circle of investment,
thus restoring confidence in his ability
to hold the Beers in check, have per-
mitted public attention to momentarly
revert to the political features of South
Africa, and conflict is confidently pre-
dicted in some quarters
Beyond the crop of ever-recurring
rumors. mostly without foundation.
there is little news from the front. The
official dispatch from General Butler
shows that Ladysmith was still in
fighting trim Sunday, and anticipating
a recommencement of the lombard
ment Monday.
There Is nothing, apparently, to JUS
tify the triumphant utterances in the
British press. While it is admitted
there is some room for congratulation,
there is, it is added, room for grave
fear. The announcement that 5000
Beers with big guns had left Pretoria
on their way to the southern border is
said to be merely a ruse to hide the
real destination of this force which 1t
is believed is Ladysmith Those who
are best qualified TO express an opin-
ion on the subject believe that the
quiescence of the Beers is, ominous, and
they expect shortly to hear of large ac-
cessions to the Beers gums In position,
and severe bombardment of the be-
leaguered camp. The restoration OF
railroad communication, therefore, Is
seemingly matter of the most urgent
Importance. as probably General
whites nest pressing need at present