New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-13
VAR NEWS NOT HELD BACK
THE STU ALTON IN SOUTH AFRICA STILL
CONFUSED-THE INIPERILLED TOWNS
HOLDING OUT STOUTLY.
BY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.l

IBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.]
London. Nov. 13.-News from South Africa
has been so meagre that suspicious were ex-
cited that the War Office holding back I'M
portant intelligence Of an unfavorable nature.
There were several long bulletins yesterday.
have the highest authority for stating that the
War Office is neither misleading the public nor
keeping back anything of serious import. nor re-
yising and curtailing bulletins. The dispatches
from Generals Butler and White are published
in the precise form in which they received,
and there is no ground for the suspicion that
there is bad ncws- in reserve when the War
ONCE has nothing TO announce Ladysmith Is
the centre Of interest and anxiety, but the Brit
ish commander there Is not good dispatch
writer and evidently finds It difficult to express
bis meaning clearly and forciby. On this ac-
count the bulletins from him seem broken and
dk.o!nted and are suspected without reason of
being roughly condensed at the War Office
General Butler is a clearer dispatch writer, as is
proved by his second lucid account of the
skrmish at Belmont, given out last night
THE DIsAFFECTED REGIONS.
Rumors that attempts had been made by
Dutch sympathizers with the Beers to tear up
railway lines south Of De Aar and other dis
ticts in Cape Colony not fully confirmed but
Rrve to emphasize one of the chief difficulties
which will confront General Butler when MS
rmy corps. reinforced from England. is ready
70 advance. This will be the protection OF the
0ng line Of communications from Cape Town
and Port Elizabeth. through disaffected districts
Beer raiders will be formidable enough without
assistance from train wreckers in Cape Colony.
Those who know Sir Alfred Miners stern, un-
fiching nature have expected him to make an
example Of the earliest traitors in order to en-
afx the warnings of his proclamations. and men
Nght IN the act Of tearing up rails would seem
capital subjects for discipline.
Sir Alfred Miner is forced by circumstances
consult Premier Schreiner whose influence
over the Dutch community has been useful in
some ways and embarrassing in other respects
It is easier 10 keep the Dutch in Cape Colony
quiet with Mr. Schreiner in power. but more dif-
hcut to render treason odious, just as 1t was
Embarrassing TO prevent the transshipment OF
arms and ammunition to the Dutch republics
and TO promote enthusiasm for enlistments In
volunteer arnov
News from the western border, the southern
uonter Of the Free State and Ladysmith re-
mains satisfactory, but such skirmishing as Is
Vmcally reported is indecsive, and the con-
!ec'ure is natural one that the Dutch allies
VIII make desperate attempts this week TO take
advantage Of their superior strength before II is
onset by the British renforcements now arriV-
ing daily. Kimberley is the weakest point, for,
"''N battalion Of the North Lancashire Regi-
"'n' is stationed there. the garrison is mainly
'"aDe Up OF Irregular forces. and is surrounded
- srong body Of Beers under General Cron1e,
"Ose capacity as a willy. resourceful general
""no' be questioned. Kimberley was indeed
"s'ected until the De Beers Company under
OA 70 defend It from its own resources ana
10 The military and colonial authorities or
e cape 70 Cooperate with the feeble garrison
a'''erdays official budget was reassuring, and
~' garrison is making a spirited defence
WILL RELIEVE KIMBERLEY.
All reports from that quarter and from the
| u'hern frontier Of the Free State are confused,
| " mere Is an increasing probability that Gen
| ' buller viii not be content with holding
Aar and the Orange River bridge above 1t.
.1' VIII send a column toward Kimberley as
H ~ as the town is in imminent danger.
4aieKing has also repused serious assault,
'oruing 10 official report, and Colonel
Ner is holding his ground CALAMITY.
-"e optimists assume that Ladysmth is now
,,"pesnable against an assault from General
.su'erts army, but they are reasoning from
seH hopes rather than from accurate knowl-
se' The British camp is defended by redoubts
~ Ihtrenchments which the Beers will find
uncut to attack in front but It is also on the
s-se OF big bowl and is encrcled by irregular
'@"-YoRK DAY AT THE PHILADELPHIA
Il l., EXPORT EXPOSITION