New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-10-25

YULES COLUMN MEETS THE TROOPS
FROM LADYSMITH.
FIRST ATTACK ON FREE STATE De-
TAcHMENT-HARD FIGHTING EX-
PECTED WHITES
REPORT

REPORT
London. oct 25-The Cape Town correspond.
ent OF The Daily Mail" telegraphng at GAS
p. yesterday. says:
General Yule has performed A brilliant stra-
tegica movement BY a swift march the
south leaving Glencoe empty. he has effected
junction Of his forces with those Of Sir George
Stewart White slightly to the north OF Lady
smith.
The two are now I'm position to offer battle
I believe the first attack viii be made on the
large Free State force which entered Natal by
way Of Tintwa Pass. and which has since been
harasslng Ladysmlth. The military authorities
decided that by joining their forces the two gen.
erals would be better able to cope with one
large force at time than by having two small
detachments to oppose simultaneously two big
Boer forces.
Accordingly after defeating the Free state
troops. they will offer battle to commandant
General Joubert. only forty miles now separate
the two Boer forces. Hence the need for swift
and telling action.
SEVERE FIGHTING PROBABLE.
The two sections Of the Boer army together
outnumber the entire British force by three to
one Hard fighting is certain at very early
date. Our men are confident and there is much
enthusiasm.
The fighting to-day outside Ladysmith yas
mere brush The losses on neither side were
significant II was merely artillery duel In
which the Beers came off decidedly the worse
The following dispatch from General Sir
George Stewart White to the Marquis Of Lans-
downe Secretary OF state FOR War; received
last evening at II O'clock posted at the
War Office soon after midnight:
Ladysmith. october "a, Q p.
Information received yesterday showed that
the Beers had established themselves In con-
siderable numbers in an exceedingly strong posi-
ton west OF the main road leading from Lady
smith to Dundee.
I also had information that the Dundee force
formerly commanded by General symons, and,
since wound commanded by General Yule.
was back on Ladysmth by way OF the
Helpn ar Road Beth and the valleys Of the
Waschb and Sunday rivers. and was ex-
pected to ch Sunday River Valley to-day.
BOER GUN sILENCED.
therefore moved out with strong force TO
cover the movement os Yue's column. The
enemy was discovered about seven miles out Of
Ladysmith in a position Of exceptional natural
preparations were being made against him. he
opened fire with one gun with great accuracy.
Our artillery soon got into position. and the
gun was senced. Our troops were ordered TO
occupy a strong ridge parallel to the enemys
position but nearer 70 the road.
I confined my efforts to occupying him and
hitting him hard enough TO prevent mis- taxing
action against Yule's column Numbers OF the
enemy fled TO the west. and the firing had prac-
tically ceased at . o'clock.
LACK OF OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION
Although there is no reason TO doubt the
accuracy Of the dispatch from Cape Town to
THE Daily Mail" regarding General Yules
movement. it is curious that General Whites
telegram to the War Office is dated at p. m.
but makes no mention Of joining Of forces
When the War Office dispatch was issued.
Just after midnight. the officials announced hat
nothing more would be communicated until
Wednesday forenoon. so that IT is impossible to
confirm or deny the news. General Yule had
heavy march on Monday over the Stratford
Slopes and the Zurfontein Table. both over five
thousand feet high and arrived after dusk at
and Waschbank He had still heavy march.
and was hardly expected to join General White
at Ladysmith until to-day.
His movements were actuated by sound judg.
ment. since he soon would have been surrounded
and in a desperate position. The combined
forces at Ladysmth, now amounting 10 some
twelve thousand men. will be amply sufficient
to act on the defensive. few more victories
like Glencoe and Elandslaagte would leave the
British troops without officers
ENGLISH LOSSES HEAVY.
While the Beers have failed 10 take advantage
OF their strategic position owing to the incom-
petence or haste OF their leaders the British
have no cause for congratulation over the re-
suits OF the Natal operations They have SUI
fered heavy losses In men, and their Victories
have practically gone for nothing the whole OF
Nor,bern Natal being now abandoned to the
| Beers.
II would have been better to have cohcen-
trated on Ladysmith in the first Instance ou'
General White and General symons had 10
,,o,d % nortical exigences and 70 the local
reluctance TO abandon an inch OF territory i"o'e
than necessary.
7, IS not expected that the wounded lert at
nrndee will suffer inconvenience except In be-
ing prisoners Of war
The news of unrest In Basutoland causes much
anxiety.
The correspondents who We're taken prisoners
IN the train at Elandslaagte have since escaped
They report that they were well treated by the
Roers and that in collecting and assisting
the wounded Beers and British seem 10 have
been mutually helpful.