The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-12
SIEGE OF MAFEK1NG.
Straits of a Beleaguered Garrison
Graphically Described.

0l1a4bS u a oC4OSS 0OIO0 0cs4A46OA
Graphically Described.
Correspondence of Associated Press.)
London, Jan. 30.-From Mafeking the
Times correspondent, under date of
Dec. %, writes:
The straits of beleaguered city are
only just beginning to come to MAIZE
king. 1t is now nearly six weeks since
Mafelxing was proclaimed as being in
a state of siege, and although there has
been no single opportunity of any COM
merciaI reciprocity between ourselves
and the outside world. eNruling prices
are at present but very little above
normal, distress is wholly absent,
danger is purely incidental and, indeed,
it would seem, as Colonel Baden-Powell
said in recent order that everything
in the garden was lovely
From time to time Colonel Baden
Powell has issued orders cOngratulating
the townspeople upon their spirit, and
unfortunate predicament. They are in
deed deserving of great sympathy, since
the manly way in which they have
come forward in support of the situa-
ton, has very materially aided the sue
cessful resistance of Mafeking.
1.-The Beers have been repulsed for
seven weeks, and without the walls of
Mafelxing an almost impregnable de-
Tense has been constructed. 1t is per-
haps a detail if our defenders be arm
ed with Shyders, Enfields, a few Mar
TINS, and a still less number of Lee
Metfords. These are the more material
elements of our defenses, and to them
may be added the strength of the pro-
tectorate regiment, the Bechuanaland
rifles, and the native contingent, num-
bering, with the town guard, some 800
men. Against this we must place an
enemy whose tactics are surprising ev-
erybody, whose artillery fire is admir-
able, whose guns are numerous and
first class.
They stand off five miles and shell
the town with perfect safety, while un-
der cover of their fire they protect their
advanced trenches daily a few feet
nearer the town. We have endeavOred
with our artillery and by night sorties
to check their progress, but the Sapping
of Mafeking continues, and Is at once
a very serious, if not our sole danger.
Should their trenches advance much
further 1t will be impossible to move
about during daytime at all, and al
though we have thrown UP bales of
compressed hay and sacks of oats to
act as shields against the enemy's bull
let's, and the flying splinters of passing
shells, there is no hour in the day in
which the streets of the town are not
sprayed by Mauser bullets. It is not
possible for US to advance very far
from our own lines. since, as eagles
SWOOp down upon their garrison, so
would the Beers from other quarters
attempt to rush the town. Yet there is
no doubt that such a movement would
be very welcome, affording as much
keen pleasure to the volunteers of the
town as to Baden-Powell and the new
ly raised units of the garrison. We nur-
ture a wild desire to attempt to spike
Big Ben and it may be that before long
Providence will turn from the side of
the enemy by presenting US with some
such golden opportunity.
1.-The big gun is hedged around by
barbed wire, guarded in front by mines,
and thanked upon one side by a Norden-
feldt- Maxim. and upon the other by a
Hotchkiss. Truly. they could deal out a
very warm reception to those who
CHANGED their luck, but a little novelty
these days atones for many hours of
firing inactivity, and if the colonel
choose to put a price upon the task
there would be no trouble in enlisting
for the venture some 500 volunteers.
The siege as it progresses seems to
give fewer opportunities for coming
into positive contact with the enemy /;
such opportunities as there have been
are few and far between"