The Topeka state journal., 1899-10-26

pushed by the Beers so strenuously and
on such sound strategical lines that the
situation of the British must in all
probability give them cause for anxiety
for some time to come.
1t is difficult to see how the concen-
trated force at Ladysmith will be able
to take the aggressive Immediately.
Apart from the fatigue regiments like
the Gordon Highlanderss and Royal
Rifles have been practically without
officers since the fights ard one hun
dred and thirty-five additional officers
have been ordered to leave England as
speedily as possible.
An official British account Of the fight
al Reitfontein given out at Cane Town.
says; The enemy posted a battery two
miles south of Modderspruit and open
ed with infantry fire at long range on
the British advance guard, consisting
of the Nineteenth HuSSars. This was
followed by artillery fire directed with
considerable accuracy against the Brit
iSh guns An action lasting six hours
ensued at Reitfontein Friday. The en-
emy were driven from the hills COM
manding the roads. Sir George Whites
object being accomplished, the column
returned to Ladysmith. The enemy is
Beers own officially that they lost over
100 killed at ElandSlaagte. Three hun
dred prisoners, wounded and unwound-
ed, are in the hands of the British, in
cluding several of high position.
Other accounts dwell on the severity
of the rife fire at Reinfontein. They
say that when the Beers finally re-
treated, the Lancers took them on their
horses and inflicted severe loss. The
retreat, it added, ended in general rout
It is announced in a dispatch from
Ladysmith, dated October %, that
strong reinfOrcements of Infantry and
artillery have arrived there from
Pietermaritzburg
It was also reported that the Beers
were again massing near Elandslaagte
and that a free state force, several
thousand in
ters station.
BASUTOS SIDE WITH BRITISH.
London, Oct. 26.-Advices from Cape
Town today show that the assembly at
Putiatsu river, was attended by all the
principal BasutO chiefs. The resident
commissioner, Sir Godfrey Iagden, was
present.
The action of the paramount chief.
Lerothodi. in pledging the nations 10y
atty was emphatically confirmed by the
chiefs urging the claim that they be
regarded as the queens soldiers and be
allowed to share in Great Britain's
struggle. Three cheers We're given for
the queen by thousands of natives led
by LerOthOdi. The British commission
er discouraged the idea that the Brit
ish required assistance and bade the
false reports.
There is little news from the western
border. The Gordon around Kimberley
is drawing closer. but hopes are ex-
shortly be sent to its relief. The Beers
have occupied WindsortOn an unpro-
tected town. The magistrate, with the
consent of the inhabitants. surrendered
on demand, conditional upon the lives
and properties of the people being re-
spected. It is alleged, however, that
the Beers refused to respect the prop
erty of absentees.
There is intense anxiety for further
news from Mafeking, where, it is be-
ieved a number of officers. who were
supposed to be on furlough, joined
Colonel Baden Powell
The Portuguese authorities have re-
conducted over the TransvaaI border
500 white and black prisoners.
5000 MORE TROOPS
London, Oct. 26-Orders were issued
today for an additional five thousand
troops to sail for South Africa between
November 4 and November IS.
BARNATO'S PARTNER KILLED.
Durham, Natal. Oct. 26.-Ex-State At
torney Roster, the defender of Count
Won Veltheim, the murderer of WooIf
Joel at one time the partner of the late
Barney BarnatO, was among the killed
at Elandslaagte. It is said here that
Col SchiePs German force was almost
annihilated at that battle.