Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-10-05
The Boers Advance on Natal.

London, Oct. ga dispatch from
Newcastle, Natal, is to the effect that
the Beers advance on Natal has begun
and that Majuba hill at the entrance Of
Laings Neck pass will be occupied to-
day. The dispatch also says that the
British have abandoned Charlestown,
the first Natal town at Laings Neck
and have prepared to evacuate New.
castle, fifty miles to the south. All oil
Natal, as far south as Glencoe, will be
abandoned by the British. This with
drawal of'British troops from the apex
OF Natal is doubtless to prevent their
being cut off from the rear by incursions
of Free State and Transvaal troops from
the west aud east. Commander-in-Chiei
Joubert, OF the Boer forces, has $4,000
effective men at Volksrust together
With force of Kafirs. The nearest
British troops to the border are at
Ladysmith. The Boer forces are mobi'
lzing at the frontier but strict insSruc'
tious have been issued to commandments
not to violate British territory.
Newcastle, Natal, Oct. 5. The Pre-
mier of Natal, Sir Henry Binns, tele
graphs the city authorities here that re-
Sistance of Boer advance is futile
ae advises the sending away of the wo-
men and children and making total
surrender of the town. Intense excite
ment prevails as the result of reports
that the Beers are approaching. The
Beers are occupying Laings Neck hight
ly.
Ladysmitb, Natal, Oct. 5.-The in.
habitants of Ladysmith are panic.
stricken at the prospect of an imme-
date attack. Refugees from along the
railroad into the Orange Free State are
focking in and swelling the rush for
the coast. Ladysmith is open to a com
bined attack by Orange Free State and
Transvaal troops. However, it's rail-
road connection with the coast CON pro-
badly be preserved.
Pretoria, Oct. 5.-John Mcbride, who
organized an Irish company to fight
with the Beers, today makes fierce
appeal to all Irishmen to join toe
Transvasl against England. He ys
the time for retaliation and reckoning
has come.
Hon. W. P. schreiner, Premier Of
Cape Colony, and Mr.. Hoffmeyer, the
Afrikander leader, have arrived here en-
an unofficial mission in the interests OF
peace.
Capetown, Oct. 5.-Mafeking advices
say that the Beers are under strict
orders not to cross the western from
tier but that they should resist all 10.
trusions. A dispatch from Kimberly
says that meeting of loyal IrishmeD
was held there last night at which reso-
lutioDs were passed, disapprovirg OF
the course taken by Irishmen in sup
porting the Beers. The Irish parlia.
mentary party was also condemned for
sympathiziug with the TraDsvasl
Johannesburg, Oct 5-There is much law.
Iessness here as the result of the panic. The
government has seized all the dynamite and
cyanide supplies and have placed them under
guard. The water supply is also undtr
strict surveillance.
Paris. Oct On. Aubert's nomination as
Consul General for the Transvaal is accepted
as indicating that France contemplates play.
ing role in that repp sic if the war breaks
out. The signs are multiplying that France
may take the present opportunity to get even
with England for the Fashods affiir. The
French feet Is now in order and the army
on a war footing. kilograms of gratitude
have been received at the Foreign Office from
the Transvsal government showing that Au
bert's advancement is taken by Presiden'
Kruger as a recognition of the Transvaal re-
public.