New-York tribune., 1899-11-18

and hard pressed. On November g. having DUR
ing the night placed men close 10 the town. the
Beers, after heavy bombardment, began an as
sault, but repulsed at every point with
heavy losses The Beers have destroyed one OF
the bridges over the Tugela River.
The absence Of news Of any serious movement
against Ladysnith seems 20 show that the
Beers are repeating the strategy adopted by
them at Dundee when they appeared in front
and endeavored to effect a surrounding move
ment This seems TO be their object regarding
Estcourt and since it is impossible that relief
should reach there for some days to come II is
not unlikely that further retiring movement
on Mooi River Will be made.
Major Wolfe Murray has returned TO Pieter-
nartzburg 10 take command Of the line OF
communications and Colonel Long of the Royal
Artillery. has taken command at Estcourt The
forces now at Pietermartzburg are too weak 10
attempt to reopen communications. Artillery
and cavalry especially are badly needed. and 1t
will necessarily take a very long time to obtain
either owing TO the difficulty Of entraining and
te necessity Of allowing the horses to rest after
the long sea voyage.
From the indiscriminate distribution or the
various divisions at unexpected points 1t seems
clear that the original plans Of General Butler
have been wholly changed Not the slightest
word regarding the new plans has been allowed
to escape.
II has been reported that the Belmont fight
arose owing 10 the advance Of British column
70 relieve Kimberley. but this seems incorrect
all the most trustworthy accounts representing
| the engagement as growing out OF a recohhois-
80 Tho announcement Of the arrival OF
General Methuen at Orange River however
| Doubtless means that arrangements are III d
for,,ard state for an advance from that point II
the advance has not already begun.
Kimberley was safe on Friday November ~
Ios. Tuesday a Boer force Of coo entered All
no, North Cape Colony hoisted the nag Oh tne
/ rroa State and declared the town ana district
/ :, lao mart Of the republic. The activity OF 'ne
| roere IN this locality would almost point 10 'ne
.ooossit,, ~ insuring the safety Of the coluinn
~rorcbine 10 the relief Of Kimberley from at
! ,acl. from this direction or from Boemion'eiii'
- ,ie,,. ~ the reticence Of General Butler IL Is
| ,,os, useless 10 speculate regarding the IeIo'
! % o v,ovoment 10 relieve Kimberley II Cd"
! o-1,, he intended TO withdraw the Beers pos
! euie from Natal The object OF the oc0upa''''
+ . Aliva1 North is understood TO be 10 pIeNe"'
the large quantity Of ammunition al heis'"e'
/ hainq forwarded 20 jamestown ana thenoe !"
| Queenstown The Beers have informed the III,
hahltants that no looting VIII he aHo"eD ""'
that all goods seized by their military au'no''
ties will be paid FOR at Queenstown
There are trustworthy reports OF mysterious
movements Of Free State commandoes along '"'
o-orgo river and important developments are
oxnected. Everything tends 10 show that the re-
ts - L-i,oberlev could only be safely under
! taken by a strong column
laurence Marques continues 10 send Jouber'
eto-ies the latest being that no news has beer
received from him at Pretoria for three days
and that # is rumored that he was taker
prisoner.
! i was announced that the Duke OF Connaugh'
u,as among the first 10 seek employment In the
uar and even offered TO waive his seniority foi
this purpose but It was not deemed eXpeuien'
| ,bot an officer so senior TO Sir kedvers buhei