The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1899-11-14
dispatches From South Africa
Tend to Show That the Brit
ish Are Holding Ably.
CONFIDENCE IN GEN. WHITES ABILITY.
lhere Are Signs of Greatly Increased
Boer Activity in Natal and on
the Western Frontier.
The Beers Bombardment of Ladysmith
has Eeen To some Extent Effective
The British Have Plenty of
Lyddite Ammunition.

LONDON, Nov. IS. - Monday morn
lng's news from the seat of war in
South Africa continues fairly satisfac-
tory. The official cables are not very
detailed with regard to the Belmont
incident which, except for the loss of
Col. Keith alconer, was rot a very
serious fair
There are signs of greatly increased
Boer activity in Natal and along the
western frontier. All the dispatches
tend to show that the British are hold
ing ably. Col. Baden-PoweIl reports
that all was we'll at Mafeking on No
vember g. Ladysmith's latest date
is November 9. While nothing averse
is heard from the latter point, and
confidence is felt in Gen. Whites abili-
ty, previous experience having shown
that the Boer artillery is not very eff
fective, it is beginning to prove that
the acquisition of artillery which has
destroyed the former mobility of the
Boer forces, has also failed to give
them any compromising advantage.
On the contrary the reverse is the case.
1t is held here that, if the Beers had
not been hampered by the transport Of
heavy guns and their rescue from tight
places, Gen. Joubert might ere this,
have been in PieterInaritzburg. I'm
less the Boer heavy artillery
justifes itself by reducing
Ladysmith it will again hamper him
in the eventual retreat from Natal
when Gen. Butler sends the relieving
force. 1t is believed that the Boer re.
treat will be made over the DrakenS
burg range into the Zoutpansberg dis
trict, where every preparation for pro.
visioning and maintaining the Beers
is said to have been made for the last
stand, and where it will be difficult to
dislodge them. Already it is rumored
that they are in straits for food around
Ladysmith, and may, therefore, be
obliged to abandon the siege.
Dispatches from Estcourt say it has
been ascertained that the British have
lyddite naval guns showing that there
is no foundation for the fear that the
lyddite ammunition at Ladysmith has
been exhausted. 1t is also reported
from the same quarter that some fires
have been seen in Ladysmith, indicat-
ing that the Boer bombardment has
been to some extent effective. A
special dispatch from Cape Town con-
firms the earlier report that it was
Gen. Butler who ordered the British
evacuation of Stormberg and Naauw-
poort as he considered the frontier
line too weak and too much extended.
1t is understood, however, that
Naauwpoort will be occu pied again as
soon as the ADVANCE from Quee nstown
is ordered. Strong bids are being
made by the Beers for the support of
the Cape Dutch, but without much sue
cess, although it is believed that the
Dutch farmers, especially in Picquet.
berg district, are armed with Mausers
and are watching the course of events
before joining the Beers. From Storm
berg it is reported that the Free State
forces are working slowly toward
Dordrecht with a view of attacking
Queenstown and cutting off the towns
in the northern districts of Cape Col
ony. The wounded are recovering in
a remarkable manner. The Mauser
wounds are small and heal rapidly.
Many of the wounded apply for per-
mission to return to the front.
The fact that the latest two official
dispatches were received from Gen. Sir
Forester Walker, and not from Gen.
Butler seems to indicate that the lat.
ter may have already left Cape Town.
A Brussels telegram asserts that he
has actually reached Durham. This is
certainly premature, but he may have
started.
An unofficial statement is publis he'd
that the troop ship Gascon, soon after
her arrival at Cape Town, left for Dur
ban and Delagoa bay.