Boer War Stuff

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Is it too far back to be of interest on this site?
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[Owen]

No go on post away.
I put some photos of a Boer War era Bible on here.

[dbf]

Thanks Owen,
but ... its pages and pages of stuff, all transcribed articles, includes Roberts, Kitchener, Roberts, etc etc 1899-1900. Not just a few things.
All criticisms very familiar even now though.

[Owen]

Maybe other members could show their interest or non-interest on this thread before you go to the trouble of posting them.

[Donnie]

I for one would love to see these items....post away in mho

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Reason for my interest

Robert Scott V.C. 1st Battalion Manchester Regiment.

From The Times:

SGT. ROBERT SCOTT, V.C.
Sergeant Robert Scott, who won a Victoria Cross in the South African War, died in hospital on Tuesday at Downpatrick, Co. Down. He was 86. Scott was born at Haslingden, Lancashire, in June, 1874, and joined The Manchester Regiment in 1895. He won his V.C. during the great attack on Ladysmith (he went through the whole siege without once being absent from duty) on January 6, 1900. While the attack on Caesar's Camp was in progress Scott - then a private - and Private Pitts (who also won a V.C.) occupied a sangar, on the left of which all the British had become casualties and their positions occupied by Boers, and held their post for 15 hours under extremely heavy fire. During this action Scott was wounded.


From A Victoria Cross anomaly? The Manchesters at Caesar’s Camp by David Humphry

In the action at Caesar’s Camp the Manchesters lost 33 men killed, one died of wounds and 40 officers and men wounded out of a British total of around 170 killed and 250 wounded for the combined actions of Caesar’s Camp and Wagon Hill. This was the largest number of casualties of any British unit.

Surrounded by the bodies of their 14 dead comrades Privates Pitts and Scott held out in their sangar without food for 15 hours. Some contemporary accounts also state that they have no water during this time but in a subsequent interview Pitts said that they had plenty - no doubt from the water bottles of their dead comrades. Both men fought on gallantly against seemingly impossible odds and Scott recorded that they expected to be killed or captured at any moment.

Both men were awarded the Victoria Cross (London Gazette, July 26, 1901). Their combined citation reads, “On January 6 1900 during an attack on Caesar‘s Camp, Natal, South Africa, 16 men of “D” Company were defending one of the slopes of the hill. The defenders were under heavy fire all day, the majority being killed and their positions occupied by the enemy. At last only Private Pitts and Private Scott remained. They held their post for 15 hours without food and water, all the time exchanging deadly fire with the enemy, until relief troops had retaken the lost ground and pushed the enemy off the hill.”

Private James Pitts died in Blackburn just short of his 78th birthday on Feb 18, 1955. His medals are in the Museum of the Manchesters in Ashton-under-Lyne. These are Victoria Cross, Queen’s South Africa Medal clasps Elandslaagte, Defence of Ladysmith and Belfast, King’s South Africa Medal clasps South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, 1937 Coronation Medal (GV) and Meritorious Service Medal. It is surprising that his group does not include the 1953 Coronation Medal as coronation medals are customarily awarded to living VC recipients. By 1953 Pitt’s second wife had died and he was in failing health so it is possible that he was awarded the medal but that it became separated from (or was never included with) the rest of his group.

Although a Lancashire man, Private Robert Scott died in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland on February 22, 1961 aged 86. His medals, also in the Museum of the Manchesters, are Victoria Cross, Queen’s South Africa Medal clasps, Elandslaagte, Defence of Ladysmith and Belfast, King’s South Africa clasps South Africa 1902 and 1902, 1939-45 War Medal, 1937 Coronation Medal, 1953 Coronation Medal, Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (GV) and Meritorious Service Medal (GV). The surprise here is that Scott earned a 1939-45 War Medal but no World War I medals. Despite being 62 on the outbreak of World War II he volunteered and was accepted for service in the Royal Air Force where he worked for some time in the security capacity.


From Devotion to Duty by James W Bancroft (Excerpt)

The Manchester Regiment

Five of the Manchester Regiment’s fourteen Victoria Cross recipients were never domiciled in the Manchester region, outside their duties at the Barracks. Two were:

JAMES PITTS and ROBERT SCOTT

During the siege of Ladysmith, on 6 January 1900, Boer commandos made an attack on an outpost at Caesar’s Camp. Privates Pitts and Scott, 1st Battalion, occupied a sangar, on the left of which all our men had been shot down and their positions occupied by Boers, and held their post for fifteen hours without food or water, all the time under and extremely heavy fire, keeping up their fire and a smart lookout, though the Boers occupied some sangars on their immediate left rear. Private Scott was wounded. The award was gazetted on 26 July 1901.

James Pitts was a Blackburn man, born on 26 February 1877. He returned to Blackburn after his military service, where he died on 18 February 1955. For further information about him see The Blackburn VC’s by R Walsh and H Kirby.

Robert Scott was born in Haslingden, Lancashire, on 4 June 1874, where he worked in a cotton mill from the age of ten until he enlisted in 1894. He recovered from his wound and was Orderly Room Sergeant at Ashton Barracks during the Great War. He left the service in 1923 and went to live in County Down, Ireland, where he joined the police force. He served with the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, and was employed with the civil service until his retirement. He died at Downpatrick, County Down, on 22 February 1961 and is buried in Kilkeel.

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Transcribed from New York Times articles:
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TO COMMAND FORCES IN NATAL.

Sir George White to Leave London Saturday - To Have 15,000 Men.

LONDON, September 12, 1899. - It is said that Sir George Stewart White, V.C., former Quartermaster General, has been selected
to command the British forces in Natal.

Sir George is to leave for Natal Saturday next. His division, it is expected, will number 15,000 men.

Published NY TIMES, September 13, 1899.
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FIRST ARRIVAL OF BRITISH TROOPS.
A Battalion Marches Through Cape Town and Proceeds to Natal.

LONDON, Sept. 15, 1899. - It is reported from Cape Town that the First Battalion of the Manchester Regiment arrived there to-day, disembarked, and marched through the streets. The soldiers were cheered.
After they had been reviewed by Lieut. Gen. Sir Frederick Walker, commander of the British troops in South Africa, the battalion re-embarked and proceeded to Natal.
These troops, forming the first instalment of the reinforcements, were sent from Gibraltar to Cape Town.
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TO-MORROW MAY SEE WAR IN AFRICA

Boers Arrange Campaign with Orange Free State.

BRITISH STILL PREPARE

Press Complains that No Progress Has Been Made.

An Outlander Writes if It Comes to a Fight, It Is Believed "the Boers Will Make a Massacre of It."

LONDON, October 3, 1899. - A special dispatch from Pretoria say that Gen. Jan Kock will command the Boer forces on the Natal border, Commandant Cronje on the south-western, and Gen. Schalk Burger on the eastern frontier, while Gen. Malan will be in command at Rustenburg. Altogether there will be nine Generals in command of columns.

A completed plan of campaign has been arranged with the Orange Free State.

Fighting is expected by Wednesday.

A rigorous censorship is maintained over all press telegrams.

President Krueger addressed the troops which started for the Natal border on Saturday, appealing to their patriotism and wishing them Godspeed.

The rumour that fighting had already commenced seems to have originated at the Woolwich Arsenal.

Matters are at a standstill, and practically no dispatches from South Africa have been received this morning.

The Morning Post again complains editorially that, although the Government put its hands to the plough in July, October has arrived without visible progress having been made; and the paper asks what it is waiting for, and expresses the opinion that "the expectant attitude maintained is hardly consonant with the high-sounding words that have been used."

It is understood that the Colonial Office received and important dispatch from Sir Alfred Milner, British High Commissioner for South Africa, yesterday, the contents of which, however, have not been made public.

The Daily Chronicle says it has reason to believe that the formation of a naval brigade is contemplated.

The Chronicle, which had lately been advocating the policy of sending an imperial Commissioner - suggesting for the post the Marquis of Dufferin and Ava - to meet President Krueger and try to arrange matters, to-day argues that the Ministers now see the mischief which Mr. Chamberlain has brought upon the country.

The paper goes on the comment upon the speech made by the Duke of Devonshire on Saturday last, which it characterizes as a remarkable appeal to the peace party, and asks why Lord Salisbury and the Duke of Devonshire did not interfere before. It then suggests that the Duke of Devonshire be sent as High Plenipotentiary to negotiate with President Krueger.

A letter from an Outlander received in Birmingham was published to-day. If it reflects the general feeling of the British residents in Johannesburg they must be in an awful funk. The writer says:

"If it comes to a fight, I believe the Boers will make a massacre of it, blow Johannesburg to bits, and shoot us on sight. In fact, I have been told so by one in office."

Reports from various arsenal and garrisons in Great Britain testify to the active continuance of military preparation. The reserves have received preliminary notice to be prepared and several regiments have been notified to hold themselves in readiness for active service.

No confirmation is obtainable from any source of the report contained in a dispatch to the Exchange Telegraph Company, that the Boers have captured Dundee.

Published NY TIMES 3rd October, 1899
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WAR SEEMS UNAVOIDABLE.

Consensus of Opinion in England that Great Britain Must Fight - A Minister's Opinion.

LONDON, October 11, 1899. - It cannot be doubted that Great Britain will flatly reject President Krueger's demands and that at 3:15 o'clock this afternoon, English time, and actual state of war will exist.

Friday's Cabinet Council will have to deal with the military situation, and Parliament will have little else to do than to sanction the necessary credits.

The Daily Chronicle this morning editorially says it is compelled to admit that the Boer ultimatum, unhappily worded as it is, makes war unavoidable.

Editorial articles in other papers generally express pity for President Krueger's precipitancy, which places the Transvaal technically in the wrong. The Standard says:

"The Transvaal's worst enemies could hardly have supposed that its arrogance would lead it to such extravagance. The note is written in a style which would be offensive if it came from a first-rate power, and is inconceivably ridiculous as emanating from a trumpery little State which exists only by Great Britain's forbearance."

The Daily Mail says: "The Boers have doffed the mask and declared war, which their deluded supporters in England considered so impossible. Doubtless, at first we may suffer, but we suffered before, and in the end the Boers and their supporters will receive the punishment which their insane attempt to perpetuate on an almost barbaric system their Government in the nineteenth century most thoroughly deserves."

The Daily News, admitting that, if determined on war, Krueger is justified in striking while he has a chance of some isolated successes, says: "The Boers' best friends will deplore that they have put themselves in the wrong."

The Daily Telegraph says: "President Krueger has slammed the door in the face of Great Britain with all the violence of infuriated folly. He appears to have celebrated his birthday in a manner which will bring his republic clattering down upon his head."

The first Minister to speak publicly regarding the ultimatum was Lord James of Hereford, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, who, speaking at Aberdeen to-night, said:

"The Government has done everything in its power to preserve peace. Apparently, however, diplomacy is ended and the hopes of peace are virtually destroyed, and that not by the action of the Queen's Government, but by the Transvaal Government.

"President Krueger has sent an ultimatum. If we were to withdraw our troops at his bidding we should suffer the greatest humiliation, and the Government would deserve to be hunted from office as craven cowards."

Lord James said he had intended, before receiving the news of the ultimatum, to take a different view of the position, but now "nothing remains but to commend our cause to the God of battle and arms and to implore His blessing upon the engagement about to be entered upon."

Lord James, whose remarks were greeted with loud and prolonged cheers, concluded by expressing the hope that the war would be short and humanely conducted, and that when it was terminated counsels of moderation would prevail as to the way in which the enemy should be dealt with.

The ultimatum was received in Sir Alfred Milner's English translation at 7 o'clock Tuesday morning. Sir Alfred had already sent a copy to Sir George White, so no time was lost in taking the necessary steps. As the British troops continue landing in South Africa and advancing to the front, it is quite possible, according to the terms of the Boer ultimatum, that hostilities have already commenced, as Krueger has everything to gain by an instant advance. Until the arrival of the army corps, it is probable that the British will everywhere remain on the defensive.

Looking at the complicated nature of matters, it is almost useless to speculate at the present stage, but sharp fighting is likely to occur at Mafeking, where Col. Baden-Powell is holding his exposed position. As the Generals have decided not to attempt to hold the country north of Dundee, the Boers will doubtless occupy Laing's Nek and advance along the railway toward Glencoe and Dundee. These place, however, are considered safe against Boer attack.

The Times says editorially: "The news that the Transvaal has taken such and infatuated step will be received with profound regret by a majority of the British people. To the last we clung to the hope that bloodshed would be avoided, but that hope had been deliberately quenched by the wanton action of the Pretoria Government.

"In tone and substance alike the ultimatum is a document of studied, insolent defiance. It is the Transvaal, not we, who snap the last frail thread of negotiations. They have declared war upon the British Empire, and they must feel her arm and pay the penalty of their aggression."

The article concludes: "With Swinburne - in a vigorous and characteristic sonnet which he send us to-day - the sons of Cromwell and of Blake will cry, 'Strike, England, and strike home!'; it is in the old cause."

Published NY TIMES, October 11, 1899.
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Newcastle and Umvoti in Natal are both Boer centres and it had long been expected by the British Colonial Office that these places would be the objective points of the Transvaal and Orange Free State troops respectively. Along the line, west and east of Charlestown, is Sir George White with some 12,000 troops, while menacing the Transvaal from the southwest is Sir Redvers Buller, with from 30,000 to 35,000 men, whose line of advance is connected with two railroads. It has been reported that no attempt will be made by the British to force entrance into the Transvaal along the line from Newcastle to Volksrust, including Majuba Hill and Laing's Nek - the theatre of operations in 1881 - but that the attack will be made south of this line, along the route from Border Siding to Klerksdorp, below Potchefslroom, at which point it is the intention to seize the Pretoria-Klerksdorp Railway. At the same time a descent may be made from Tuli, which is in Rhodesia, on the right bank of the Limpopo. These are the two obvious lines of British attack, but there is another - from the east, with its base at Lorenzo Marques, the chief town of Delagoa, from which a line of railway runs directly to Pretoria, the Transvaal capital, a distance of 370 miles. The distance by rail of Pretoria from the other South African ports, which will form the British bases of supplies is as follows: Durban, 484 miles; East London, 665 miles; Port Elizabeth, 414 miles; and Cape Town, 1013 miles.

Thus it will be seen that three distinct columns supplied by five lines of railway may move on Pretoria. It is expected that eventually the Boers will be obliged to fall back on their capital, where they will make their last stand. The capital is surrounded by mountain ranges, and access is only to be obtained through the "poorts" or defiles. Each poort is guarded by a fort placed in a commanding position.

It is said that the line of advance from Border Siding to Klerksdorp has been adopted rather than the "Jamieson route" to Kruegersdorp, because while te latter is hilly and well defended in anticipation of just such and invasion, the former route passes through an entirely flat grass land practically free from such obstacles as rivers and hills.

In the last Transvaal war in 1881, even while the battle of Majuba Hill was being fought, British reinforcements were on the way to South Africa, and a most elaborate campaign was being prepared by the Colonial Office. It all came to nothing, however, when Mr. Gladstone caused an armistice to be declared. Military critics have declared that if ""Gladstone had not stopped the war" the Transvaal would have been completely subjugated within three months after the Majuba Hill affair.

The battle of Majuba Hill was not conducted on a very large scale. The engagement was precipitated by the British commander, who desired to whip the Boers and end the war before the arrival of the troops that had been sent to reinforce him. On the night of February 26, 1881, 600 British infantry set out for the summit of Majuba Hill. Four hundred men finally reached the summit, and were disposed in various positions about the rim of the mountain. The first shots were fired at 6 o'clock on the following morning, and the contest raged for several hours. In the final stages the main party of Boers crept up to within forty yards. The fighting ceased at 10 o'clock by the flight of the British, who left on the field, in killed and wounded, 280. The Boer loss was one killed and four wounded. The Boers have asserted that their force consisted of 400 riflemen; British reports place the number at 1,000.

Published NY TIMES, October 12, 1899.
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DURBAN Oct. 13, 1899. - The First and Second Battalions of the Manchester Regiment, under Lieut. Cols. Curran and Ridley, have arrived at Ladysmith.

Published NY TIMES, October 14, 1899.
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TRANSVAAL WAR BEGINS IN EARNEST

A Great Battle in Natal Reported.

FIGHTING EAST AND WEST

Burghers Are Said to be Attacking Mafeking.

BOERS DESTROY TRAIN

Poured In Artillery Fire for a Half Hour - Fifteen British Soldiers Reported Killed, Cannon on the Train Captured.

LONDON, October 14, 1899. - If to-day's reports are correct, fighting has now begun in earnest on both the Natal and the western frontier. The first vague reports have been received of what may prove to be an important engagement between the British forces under Gen. White and the Boer troops. The destruction of an armoured train en route to Mafeking with two cannon is confirmed by official dispatches. The war therefore may be said to be well on.

An Edinburgh paper, The Scotsman, this morning asserts that a battle has been fought between Gen. Sir George Stewart White, commanding the forces in Natal, and the Boers, who entered Natal by way of Van Reenan's Pass. Gen. White, The Scotsman says, is very sanguine of the success of the British movement.

The foregoing report is considered to be correct, as late last night the War Office had news of a British advance from Ladysmith, and was hourly expecting further intelligence.

A dispatch to The Daily Telegraph from its correspondent at Ladysmith, dated at noon on Friday, says~:

"A strong mobile column under Gen. Sir George Stewart White, accompanied by Gen. Sir Archibald Hunter, proceeded before daybreak this morning toward Acton Homes for the purpose of reconnoitring. Gen. White's object was to observe what was going on, and also to test the mobility and efficiency of his forces. All the men are well, and the weather is now fine."

According to the dispatches from Ladysmith to The Standard and The Daily Telegraph, dated Thursday, heavy storms have begun and forage is scarce on the veldt. Therefore nothing is expected to happen for a few days unless the Boers, who were reported to be advancing, should threaten the British line of defence drawn from Glencoe Junction to Ladysmith. In this case, according to the dispatches, no apprehension is felt as to the result. Gen. White has twelve guns and the Boers eleven.

The Ladysmith correspondent of The Daily News telegraphy his paper, under date of Thursday, that it is anticipated the enemy will attack simultaneously Dundee, Glencoe, and Ladysmith. The defending force, he says, includes the Natal Mounted Infantry and carabineers, all remarkably smart and workmanlike. The main Boer force of 11,000 men is at Sandspruit. The correspondent adds:

"Much discontent exists here owing to the presence of suspected Boer sympathizers. The troops are kept under arms, and the volunteers are ordered to sleep booted and spurred ready for instant call."

The Daily Mail's Cape Town correspondent, telegraphing Friday evening, says:

"I learn on good authority that the Boers are attacking Mafeking. They are reported to have already suffered several repulses. It is generally admitted that Vryburg cannot stand a strong Boer attack."

The Daily Mail's correspondent at Dundee, Natal, says:

"Reports are circulated here that the Boers have reached Newcastle, but no confirmation of either this or of the reports of fighting at Mafeking and Ladysmith are yet arriving."

The Ladysmith correspondent of The Times, telegraphing on Thursday, says:

"A subsequent reconnaissance shows that the invading force from the Free State numbers approximately 12,000 men."

The Times explains this dispatch as evidently referring to a previous telegram which has not yet reached them. In discussing the situation, The Times says;

"It is idle to ignore the fact that if the Boers make a determined advance on a large scale into Natal, as appears to be the case, a sustained condition of masterly inactivity might become hopelessly out of the question. We have no means of estimating exactly the number of troops at Ladysmith, Glencoe, and Dundee, and if we had it would not be expedient to discuss the point. But if 12,000 Free State troops are to be reckoned in addition to Commandant General Joubert's contingent, the situation is undoubtedly graver than it seemed yesterday, and further details will be awaited with anxiety.

"A point in favour of the defence is that the Free State and Transvaal Boers are not accustomed to working in unison and that any
attempt on their part to apply the principle of converging columns to an attack on Ladysmith would not be likely to meet with complete success.

"The armoured train incident is regrettable, but is scarcely disastrous, except that it tends to cut Mafeking off from touch with Plumber's force in Rhodesia."

The Kimberley correspondent of The Daily Telegraph says:

"A flying column is being organized for the protection of the railway between the Orange River and Kimberley. Trustworthy information shows that the Orange Free State has half it available force, viz., 10,000 men, scattered along the extensive western border between the Baal and Orange Rivers. The strategy displayed in their present disposition is crude."

Published, NY TIMES, October 14, 1899.
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THE WAR IN THE TRANSVAAL.

The British Prime Minister's Statements of His Government's Position.

From The London Times, October 18, 1899.

The Marquis of Salisbury, who was received with cheering, said: "The first half of the speech of the noble earl opposite (the Earl of Kimberley) filled me with despair, because I found that on every subject he exactly what I would have wished to say. It was quite a relief when he came to deal with modern diplomacy, because I felt that there at least there was something on which I might join issue with him. I need not reiterate the observation that the Boer Government have been pleased to dispense with any explanation on our part of the cause or justification of the war. They have done that which no provocation on our part could have justified. They have done that which the strongest nation has never in its strength done to any opponent whom it challenged. They
have issued a defiance so audacious that I can hardly depict it adequately without using stronger words than are suited to this assembly, and they have, by so doing, liberated us from the necessity of explaining to the people of England why we are at war. Whether if that defiance had not been issued we should now have been at war I cannot say. They were subjects of the gravest difference between us - subjects on which we were bound and pledged to arrive at an issue consistent with the duty which her Majesty owes to her subjects, consistent with the desire we have always entertained of supporting equal rights among all her subjects.

They were very grave questions indeed, but up to this time the modes we had suggested of settling them had not been successful. The spirit in which we had been met had not been encouraging. We had little hope that the future would reserve for us a better fate, but yet hope was not entirely abandoned. Now all question of possible peace, all question of justifying the attitude that we have assumed, or of pointing out to our countrymen the errors and the grave oppressions of which the Transvaal Government have been guilty - all these questions have been wiped away in this one great insult, which leaves to us no other course to pursue than that which we have to pursue. (Cheers.) It is not necessary for me to insist upon that which both we and the noble earl opposite agree. I will only say that it is one of the most satisfactory parts of our policy in these later days that when a question arises in which vital interests and the evident honour of this country are concerned there are no distinctions of a party, (cheers) and that no individual ambition, no opportunity of diminishing the influence of an adversary, will tempt English politicians on either side to make use of the difficulties of their country to promote their party ends. (Cheers.) We may congratulate ourselves, at all events, that, so far as this is concerned the present representatives of the Liberal Party are more than creditable representatives of Charles James Fox. (Hear, hear.) Now as to the modern diplomacy. In the principles other noble earl opposite lays down to everybody, of course, must agree. No negotiation is conducted under favourable terms, every negotiation runs a great chance of being wrecked, if the opinions on either side are exposed during its progress to the exaggerated influence of popular excitement.

We do not always get what we desire. We get what we have to take, and the constitutional conditions under which we live, enormous as is the strength which they give us in certain circumstances, greatly as they magnify the power of England in any real danger, undoubtedly furnish us with conditions which make the conduct of negotiations very much more difficult than formerly. But there are occasions on which you cannot observe absolute secrecy without sacrificing a great source of power. What is this controversy which we have had to adjust, or at least to deal with, in South Africa? It is a controversy, no doubt, between two races nearly balanced in power, one of which races is naturally devoted to this country, and the other is divided - many of them being by conviction, by observation, and by experience firm and devoted adherents and subjects of the Queen, many of them still having visions of some future return of Dutch supremacy. Well, when you interfere in such a conflict as that, when you have to struggle for Queen, you have to look around you and see what forces you have at your back. An English Minister is not an organ of despotic power, who has merely to give the word of command, and the policy which he selects will be unflinchingly carried out.

He has to look, almost at every moment, for the amount hat he can command of that popular support which is the breath of life to all political movements in this age; and the British Minister who has to consider the state of affairs at the Cape, and to sustain the cause of British supremacy, has to conciliate, to retain, to encourage, to push forward as much of that loyalty to her Majesty as he can command; and he cannot afford by secrecy, by neglecting the feelings of those to whom he has to look for support - he cannot afford to leave their attention uncalled, their feeling un-appealed to; he is bound to seek in their feelings, and by placing before them a full exposition of the case on behalf of which he invokes their aid, he is bout to give them such information as will place at his disposal and range behind him all the power, all the physical force of those who are devoted to his cause. If that is necessary, if he could not afford to allow British interests in the Cape by apathy or by ignorance to fall away from the Crown, how is it possible that he could proceed with the carefully secret methods of the older diplomacy? I am not doubting the merits of the older system, but if you have to appeal for popular support the older system will not do. (Hear, hear!) That seems to me to sum up the essence of the policy which has been undoubtedly pursued. We always have to consider the loyal population wherever we are dealing with a country in which the loyal population is separated from those that are not loyal. But the noble lord dwelt very much upon the virtue of silence. I entirely agree with him. I should have been very glad to have cultivated it, even on the present occasion. (Laughter.)

I do not doubt that the system, which I think Lord Granville used to pursue, of absolutely refusing to make any speeches while negotiations were going on, had, on the side of diplomacy, very considerable advantages; but, after all, you can only conduct a policy, or the measures to which diplomacy must give rise, with the help and approval of Parliament and the cordial support of the electors, and, again, to obtain their help you must inform their minds, you must lay before them the real facts of the case; and if you wrap yourself up in your own virtues, and will not appeal to the sentiments and the loyalty which are ready to your hands, the result is that, instead of support and enthusiasm, you get nothing but apathy and neglect. I do not understand that the Minister responsible for conducting great negotiations can afford either to ignore the feelings of British parties or to keep them in ignorance, and therefore deprive of the opportunity of assisting him those who are willing to sustain the policy of this country. Those two necessities are the drawbacks to the constitutional system, which is a splendid system with all drawbacks, and, until the noble lord can get rid of the heritage of 1688, of which these necessities are the necessary result, unless he goes back to a state of government which I am sure is very alien to his sympathies and desires, he will never escape the necessity of consulting, to a certain extent, the opinion of those on whose support he depends for carrying out any policy he has in hand. That is my view in respect of the question which the noble lord raised. I am bound to say that I think a great deal too much has been made of the supposed provocation contained in the language of the dispatch referred to by the noble lord. The may have been certain details in that dispatch which may have been misunderstood. I will not dwell upon that, as I have not got the dispatch before me, but my impression is that upon the whole of that class of argument the most exaggerated value has been place. The theory appears to be that President Krueger is an amiable, but very sensitive, old man (laughter) - sensitive to every word that may excite suspicion or may suggest any future political constitution for his country other than that which he desires, and, so far as these feelings are concerned, he sustains them and expresses them with a fervour and a restlessness more becoming a hysterical young lady than the President of a republic. I am always surprised by this view of President Krueger's character.

My impression is, or was, certainly that he was a sort of man who would say that hard words would break no bones, and, if he got the kind of policy he wanted, he would not be trouble by the English phraseology in which it was wrapped up. But I take an entirely different view, and I hope, not an uncharitable one. My belief is that the desire to get rid of that word "suzerainty," and the reality which it expresses, has been the dream of Mr. Krueger's life. Long before the treaty of 1881 was negotiated, it was his main desire. It was for that he set up the negotiations of 1884, and in order to get that hateful word out of his convention he made considerable territorial and other sacrifices. The noble Marquis (the Marquis of Ripon) will remember certain memoranda in connection with Mr. Krueger in which great prominence was given to that intense desire to get rid of that word "suzerainty," and now my belief as to the real secret of his policy during these last years has been that he has seen in the Uitlander population beneath him somebody whom he can oppress, somebody in whose sufferings we are interested; and he has used the oppression of the Uitlander population as a screen by which to obtain some concession on the subject of the suzerainty from us. I can point out phrases from recent negotiations which would amply sustain that idea. It may be that the word suzerainty has no meaning. That view, as suggested by the noble Earl to whom we owe the word, is deserving of consideration. (Laughter.)

But my impression is not that it does not mean absolutely nothing, but it means a number of things, of which you can take your choice. I entirely agree with the noble lord that it is a word wholly unnecessary for our present purpose. Situated as Great Britain is in South Africa toward the Transvaal and the Uitlander population, who are our subjects in the Transvaal, we have a paramount power and duty which has nothing whatever to do with any conventional suzerainty. (Hear, hear!") I do not think that is the opinion of Mr. Krueger. (Laughter.) He would do anything in order to get rid of it, and, though it may be perfectly true - I maintained that opinion at the time - that the word in itself has no distinct or sufficient meaning, it is still true that, having been put into the treaty, it has obtained an artificial value and meaning which prevents us from entirely abandoning it. We cannot drop it and restore things to the condition in which they were before the word suzerainty was adopted. If we were to drop it we should be intimating that the ideas which have come to be associated with it are ideas which we repudiate and abandon altogether. Of course that is a position we cannot adopt. I believe it is largely due to Mr. Krueger - I do not say it ot blame it - it is largely due to his peculiar character, and to the idea which he has pursued, that the moment has arrived for deciding whether the future of South Africa is to be a growing and increasing Dutch supremacy, or a safe, perfectly established supremacy of the English people. (Cheers.)

To the state of things established by the convention of 1881 or 1884, whatever it may have been, we can never return. (Cheers.) We can never consent, while we have the strength to resist it, to be put into the same position which we have held in South Africa
for the last seventeen or eighteen years. (Cheers.) With regard to the future, there must be no doubt that the sovereign power of England is paramount; there must be no doubt that the white races will be put upon an equality and that due precaution will be taken for the philanthropic and kindly and improving treatment of those countless indigenous races of whose destiny I fear, we have been too forgetful. (Hear, hear.) Those things must be insisted upon in the future. By what means they will be obtained I do not know; I hope they may be consistent with a very large autonomy on the part of that race which values its individual share in the Government so much as the Dutch people do. But with that question we have no concern at present. We have only to make it clear that the great objects which are essential to the power of England in Africa, to the good government of the country, and to the rights of all races are the objects which the British Government, with the full support of the nation without distinction of party, is now pursuing, and which they will thoroughly pursue and preserve to the end. (Loud cheers.)

Published, NY TIMES, October 27, 1899.
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LONDON, October 19, 1899. - A considerable engagement is expected in the vicinity of Ladysmith to-day. The combined advance of Boers and Free State troops in this direction has been executed with not inconsiderable skill and shows a clear appreciation of the British position. Gen. Sir George Stewart White has 12,000 men and 46 guns available, besides a considerable force of volunteers, to hold Ladysmith, and no anxiety is felt on his account, for the Natal country where the engagement is expected is fairly open, and, although the work of moving them will be difficult, the guns are likely to do good work.

The havoc the Boers are making with the railway and telegraph lines will seriously impede the movements of Gen. Sir Redvers Buller's army corps. There are conflicting reports as to whether the Boers have or have not occupied Helpmakaar. According to the best accounts the rumour that they have done so is untrue; but if the Boers have succeeded in this manoeuvre they are completely around the right of Gen. Sir George Stewart White's position and will be able either to attack him at an advantage or to move down into Natal behind him.

The Daily News points this out and seems to think that if the Boers work their way through Zulu territory or Basutoland, the natives ought to be permitted to exact respect for their own territory.
The country is not favourable for the Boer tactics, and it will be very difficult for them to avoid the exposure of their flanks to attack by a vigorous and mobile enemy already occupying useful positions; that is, supposing they really mean to fight and not merely to attempt to draw Gen. White further out with a view of surrounding him.

Gen. White has a large body of excellent cavalry which will be put to good use.

The Daily Telegraph's correspondent at Ladysmith says no newspaper representatives are allowed to proceed from there either to Bester's Station or Acton Homes, and adds that Gen. Joubert's forces are moving against Glencoe and Bester's Station on the Harrismith-Lynch line.

According to the same authority, some volunteers who had just come into Ladysmith from Bester's Station and Acton Homes before
the dispatch was sent, reported that 300 Boers tried ineffectually to cut off small parties of British troops, but the Natal men were too wary to be caught and retired firing. The enemy as usual hid themselves behind hills and rocks and in gullies, but were unable to advance. They used cannon against the British riflemen, who, nevertheless, maintained a stout resistance.

The firing was very heavy. The country about Acton Homes being more open, the British mounted volunteers there are retiring upon Dewdrop. Two thousand Boers were engaged at Acton Homes and rather fewer at Bester's Station. It is reported that the enemy there is hemmed in and suffering severely.

The Daily Telegraph commenting upon the foregoing dispatch from its correspondent, says it is difficult to understand the references to Glencoe and Bester's Station, except upon the theory that Commandant Gen. Joubert is dividing his forces.

The War Office yesterday issued the following statement:

"News has been received from Gen. Sir George Stewart White, the General commanding in Natal, that the anticipated movement of Boer forces across the Drakensberg, already reported from several quarters, was likely to be continued on October 17, in which case some of them might be expected to arrive at Boaan Bank that night and probably to come into contact with our cavalry between Ladysmith and the passes of the Drakensberg.

"On the north the Boer forces from Ingagane are advancing, accompanied by a few batteries of artillery.

"On the Buffalo River the Boers from Vryheid are moving toward Vant's and Rorke's Drifts.

"Our cavalry remain in observation and report movements in the Orange Free State. The Basutos are said to manifest an attitude hostile to the Boers, and they may neutralize a certain number of the Boer forces."

A dispatch from Ladysmith says that a letter was brought to the British pickets by Boer cyclists bearing a white flag, signed by the Newcastle Magistrate and sent by Commandant Gen. Joubert, stating that the Britishers who remain in Newcastle are all well.

Published NY TIMES, October 19, 1899.
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ADVANCE ON LADYSMITH.

Boers Cut In Between It and Dundee and Capture a Train at Elandslaagte - Situation Very Serous.

LONDON, October 20, 1899. - The Ladysmith correspondent of The Daily Telegraph, under date of October 19, says:

"The Boers captured a train which left Ladysmith at 12:30 near Elandslaagte. It contained several officers and a few men, besides civilians, all going to Glencoe or Dundee. The 10:30 up train, which contained one of your correspondents, got through. The enemy cut the wires, severing communication with Glencoe.

"The news was first received from the stationmaster at Elandslaagte, who wired: 'I see Boers near the line. What shall I do?' Ladysmith answered: 'Let the train run ahead full speed.' It did so, making for the north of Elandslaagte.

"The official said: 'The Boers are mustering and firing to stop the train. They have stopped it. What shall I do? Must I go?'

"'Yes, go,' was the reply. Thereupon the messages ceased, and since then the line has been blocked. Probably the stationmaster escaped."

The Ladysmith correspondent of The Times, under date of Wednesday evening, says:

"The situation on the eastern border is developing a more serious aspect. The Vryheid and Utrecht commandos, after looting on the Zululand border, are reported to be in the Umsinga District, threatening communication between here and Dundee. The situation at the front is reported to be growing more acute."

As no correspondents are allowed at the front, it is impossible to gain definite information, but it is known that Gen. Sir George Stewart White has been making some extensive movements of the troops in that neighbourhood, and developments are hourly expected.

It is rumoured that Commandant Gen. Joubert's northern column, with twelve guns, is now at Dannhauser.

Although the Boers have shown considerable activity in Natal, there is nothing to indicate that they are yet prepared for a serious combined attack, and the general belief here is that unless something unexpected happens Gen. Sir George Stewart White will maintain the defensive.

Some military critics think it not impossible that Gen. White may be about to withdraw his forces from Glencoe and concentrate them at Ladysmith, there to await developments.

The Daily Mail's correspondent at Glencoe Camp, telegraphing under date of October 17, says:

"The Boers opposite the camp are having their number strengthened, and the belief prevails that when strong enough they will seek to reach Dundee from the southeast.

"A clergyman living at Dannhauser, who has arrived at the camp, states that the saw a strong commando approaching Dannhauser
at 3 o'clock this afternoon."

The Boers, according to the latest information at hand do not appear to have been driven back. Perhaps, however, their movements are only part of a general plan to isolate both Ladysmith and Glencoe from the south.

The simultaneous Boer movements from Acton Homes, from the west and from Rorke's Drift and Helpmakaar, from the east, may indicated a projected attack upon the railway below Colenso. The movement from the east also suggests an attack upon the railway at Waschbank, between Ladysmith and Glencoe.

Published NY TIMES, October 20, 1899.
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BRITISH ARMY PLANS.

Gen. Buller Said to Have a Project of an Advance on Three Lines at One Time - Forbade an Attack.

Copyright, 1899, The Associated Press.

LONDON, October 21, 1899. - Glencoe and Ladysmith irresistibly rivet national attention, and when the average Britisher tires of lauding the pluck that won Friday's battle and still kee[s the flag flying over Mafeking, he reverts to the universal query, "What will White do next?" Sir Redvers Buller, last week's ideal, has almost passed out of the popular mind, although that General, despite the fact that he is in mid-ocean and unaware of what befell the Boers at Glencoe, appears to be the main factor in the situation. It is reported that his last act before leaving was to cable Sir George Stewart White, forbidding any British advance pending the arrival of the army corps.

It is understood in army circles that Gen. White believed himself quite strong enough to advance through Laing's Nek. Sir Redvers Buller's prohibition, if carried out, resolves all prognostication into the simple statement that upon the extent of Boer aggressiveness depends the number and nature of the engagements that are to mark the next month's fighting.

Probably the Boer movement will be curbed by the defeat at Glencoe, but it seems reasonable to believe, judging from the determination and fanaticism of the Boer forces, that they will sooner or later - anyway before Buller's corps takes the field - return to the fray with redoubled aggressiveness in a desperate attempt to break the backbone of Gen. White's force, having previously endeavoured to weaken it by feint and flank movements. Such a supposition regarding the Boer plans is based upon the belief that Commandant General Joubert's main objective is to break up or rout Gen. White's command before the British reinforcements arrive. But it is possible the wily BOer General has carefully concealed strategy which he intends to carry out in an unexpected direction, and that the attack upon Gen. White on Friday was merely intended to deceive the British as to the main objective. Reliable news from te Boer side is so impossible to predict with any degree of certainty what the next few weeks are likely to bring forth.

It is learned that the plans of Sir Redvers Buller, subject to finding on his arrival that the complexion of the campaign is not entirely changed, are to have four divisions, each a little army in itself and each capable of meeting the full strength of the Boers. As his forces will exceed 80,000 men, this is regarded as feasible. With three armies he intends to invade the Transvaal from different points, personally leading the principal force through the Free State, sending the other to hold Natal.

Expert military opinion is inclined to favour a single line of operations, unless the invader has a tremendous preponderance of strength. Although few are willing to criticise Gen. Buller's admitted military genius without knowledge of the information upon which he has based his estimate of the Boer forces, there is a growing feeling that the war will eventually resolve itself into a guerrilla campaign, and many references are made in this connection to the progress of the American forces in the Philippines. Several Englishmen who have lived among the Boers, but are now in London, assert that the Boers will never stick to their artillery, and there is a unanimous feeling among those who know the Transvaal and its inhabitants that the Boer artillery will cut a small figure only after the first month.

The explanation of this is twofold. In the first place most of the Boers are unaccustomed to fight according to the methods required in conjunction with heavy artillery; and, secondly, most of them are armed with the rifle only. Comparatively few have bayonets, revolvers, or swords, and it is a military impossibility for men to stand up against a cavalry charge unless they possess some arm in addition to the rifle. Hence, the only alternative when cold steel threatens is to desert the guns.

It is not believed that the Boers will suffer so much by the loss of artillery as might at first be thought. Unencumbered by guns, they regain that mobility, which, in the previous war, proved such a thorn in the side of our organized troops.

A splendid instance of the spontaneous co-operation of army and navy is given in the action of Capt. Lambton, commanding the British first-class protected cruiser Powerful, while on the way to the Cape. Calling at Mauritius, he found a line regiment that had been ordered to Duran, unable to leave for want of a transport. Without awaiting instructions, he embarked the whole regiment on board the Powerful and landed them at Cape Town, making an extra quick passage for their benefit.

Published NY TIMES, October 22, 1899.
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THE OFFICIAL REPORT.

LONDON, Oct. 22, 1899. - The War Office this afternoon published the following dispatch to the Secretary of State for War, the
Marquis of Landsdowne, from the General Commanding in Natal, Sir George Stewart White, regarding the engagement yesterday at Elandslaagte, between Glencoe and Ladysmith, when the British under Gen. French routed the Transvaal forces under Gen. Jan H. M. Kock, second in command in the Transvaal Army, who was himself wounded and captured and has since died:

"White, commander in Natal, to the Secretary of State for War. Filed Ladysmith, Oct. 22 1899, 10:30 A.M. In the action at Elandslaagte yesterday the troops engaged were the following: Cavalry - Fifth Lancers, a squadron of the Fifth Dragoon Guards, the Imperial Light Horse, and two squadrons of Natal Carbineers; Artillery - Twenty-first Field Battery, Forty-second Field Battery, and the Natal Field Battery; Infantry - The Devonshire Regiment, half a battalion of the Gordon Highlanders, and the Manchester Regiment. The whole force was under Gen. French, with Col. Ian Hamilton commanding the infantry.

GENERAL WHITE PRESENT

I was present in person from 3:30 P.M. to 6:40 P.M., but did not assume direction of the fight, which was left in the hands of Gen. French. Although desultory fighting took place earlier in the day, while reinforcements, sent out later, on ascertaining the enemy's strength, were arriving from Ladysmith, the real action did not begin until 3:30 P.M. At that hour the Boers held a position of very
exceptional strength, consisting of a rock hill about a mile and a half southeast of Elandslaagte Station.

"At 3:30 P.M. our guns took a position on a ridge 4,100 yards from the Boers, whose guns at once opened fire. This fire was generally well directed, but somewhat high. Contrary to previous experiences, their shells burst well.

"The Imperial Light Horse moved toward the left of the enemy's position, and two squadrons fo the Fifth Lancers toward the right. During the artillery duel mounted Boers pushed out from their left and engaged the Imperial Light Horse. In a few minutes the enemy's guns ceased firing and our artillery was turned on the mounted Boers who opposed the Imperial Light Horse, who at once fell back. After the artillery preparations our infantry advance to the attack, supported by our guns in the second position. The Devonshires held the enemy in front, while the Manchester Regiment and the Gordon Highlanders turned his left flank.

"The Boer guns, although often temporarily silenced, invariably opened fire again on the slightest opportunity, and were served with great courage.

CHARGE THROUGH THE BOERS.

"After severe firing our infantry carried the position. At 6:30 P.M. this was accomplished, the enemy standing his ground to the last with courage and tenacity. The Fifth Lancers and a squadron of the Fifth Dragoon Guards charged thrice through the retreating Boers in the dark, doing considerable execution.

"We captured the Boer camp, with tents, wagons, horses, and also two guns. The Boer losses were very considerable, including
a number of wounded and unwounded prisoners. Among the former are Gen. Jan Kock and Piet Joubert, nephew of Commandant General Joubert.

"One goods train, with supplies for Glencoe Camp, and nine English prisoners were recovered. Our loss, I regret to say, was heavy. It is roughly computed at 150 killed and wounded.

"The collection of the wounded over a large area in the dark and the arrangements for sending them in have thus far occupied our time and attention. A full list will go to you later.

"Our wounded and those of the enemy are now arriving by trains. Besides Boers, we have may Hollanders, Germans, and prisoners of mixed nationalities. The behaviour of our troops and of the colonial forces was admirable."
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BOERS REPORT THEIR LOSSES.

At Battle of Elandslaagte 100 Killed or Wounded, 200 Missing.

PRETORIA, October 22, 1899. - The Johannesburg Burghers Hollander Corps has had a heavy engagement at Elandslaagte. The battle lasted twelve hours against heavy odds. Two hundred are missing, and about 100 burghers are dead or wounded.

Published NY TIMES, October 27, 1899.
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ELANDSLAAGTE RECAPTURED.
British Make Great Demonstration Against Railway Station North of Ladysmith Taken by Boers

LONDON, Oct. 22, 1899. - At 2 o'clock this (Sunday) morning the War Office posted the following from Gen. Sir Archibald Hunter.

"Ladysmith, Oct. 21 - 8:45 P.M. - Gen. White rode toward Elandslaagte at 2:30 P.M. The force under Gen. French left here at 4 A.M. by road and rail to Modders Bridge. By 2 P.M. it had been greatly strengthened to the following in total: Fifth Lancers, a squadron of the Fifth Dragoon Guards, two field batteries, the Natal Field Battery, the Devonshire Regiment, half the Manchester Regiment, half the Gordon Highlanders, the Imperial Light Horse, and two squadrons of the Natal Volunteers.

I remain here in defence of Ladysmith with the Gloucester Regiment, half of the Manchester, half the Gordon Highlanders, a
mountain battery, and 500 Natal volunteers."

"I learn by telephone from an armoured train a mile this side of Elandslaagte that at 5 P.M. the enemy's three guns were silenced and that our infantry were about to charge. The enemy's number this morning was estimated at 1,000 and another 1,000 is expected to arrive during the afternoon.

Gen. White's intention was to reopen the railway to Dundee and return here with his troops to-night.

"At 7:45 a report was received by telephone saying we had carried the enemy's position, capturing their camp, equipment, horses, and wagons. The cavalry are in pursuit.

"The operators on the instruments say we have some wounded, but have no details yet.

"I expect Gen. White will be late, so I'll wire for him."
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LONDON, Oct. 23 1899. - An amended list of the British casualties at the battle of Elandslaagte places the number of officers killed at 6 and wounded at 30, and the number of non-commissioned officer and men killed at 37 and wounded 175, the total number of casualties being 248. Ten men are missing.

The following is an official list of casualties among British officers:
...
FIRST MANCHESTER REGIMENT
Wounded - Col. Curran, Capt. Melville, Capt. Newdigging, Capt. Paton, Lieut. Banks.
...
FIRST MANCHESTER REGIMENT
Eleven non-commissioned officers and men killed and twenty-six wounded.
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BRITISH AND BOER PLANS.

The Former Express Admiration for the Bravery of the Latter.

LONDON, October 23, 1899. - The second British victory, that at Elandslaagte, in which the British losses, though heavy, were not out of proportion to its importance, may be regarded as having completely demoralized the well-laid but ineffectively executed, plans of the Boers. In the opinion of military critics, it will tend to bring the war to a speedy conclusion.

Gen. White, it is hoped, may have been able by this time to relieve Major Yule, at Glencoe, thus enabling him to deal with Commandant Gen. Joubert's column, as Gen. Symons and Gen. French have already gone with the others.

There is still to be guarded against a possible raid from the Drakensburg Range by Free State troops from Vryheid, through Zululand. The British plan will, therefore, to a great extent, be still to remain on the defensive, as Sir George White has an extended front, threatened at many points, to protect.

There is no longer, however, any apprehension of even the expected initial success of the Boers. The two victories already gained by the British must have completely disillusioned them of the idea they had gained through the Majuba affair, and, looking to the statements already circulated that President Krueger himself was opposed to sending the ultimatum, there is speculation in some quarters that the Boers may now sue for peace.

At least it is considered that all fears of a Dutch rising in the British Colonies may be set aside.

Much admiration is extorted by the bravery shown by the Boers. The Times says:

"They are honourable foes and well worth our mettle. Their sterling qualities ought to do much to facilitate the ultimate pacification of South Africa. That is now the real end of the war. We have to settle once for all the question of British supremacy and to banish forever the phantom of an Afrikander nation."

The Daily News, on the contrary, says:

"It is not at all likely that the two victories portend a speedy end of the war. The Boers will fight on; and our army of occupation must be hurried forward. The appalling loss of officers and men we have sustained shows clearly that we have stiff work before us. The Army Corps will have ample work to do."

Published NY TIMES, October 23, 1899.
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ANOTHER ROUT OF BOERS REPORTED

Cronje Said to Be a Prisoner at Mafeking.

GLENCOE IS IN DANGER

Fears that War Office is Withholding Reports.

RHODES ASKS FOR AID

Talk of Surrender by Transvaal Not Credited - More Details of the Battle of Elandslaagte - The British Charge.

LONDON, October 24, 1899. - The correspondent of The Daily Mail at Durban, Natal, says:

"An official of the Bonanza Mine, who has just arrive from Pretoria, declares that while there he heard that Col. Baden-Powell, the British commander at Mafeking, had captured Gen. Cronje and 30 other Boers and had killed 500.


The Daily Telegraph has received the following from Ladysmith, dated Sunday, 2:10 P.M.:

"The Boers, reported to be 9,000 strong and under the command of Commmandant Gen. Joubert and President Krueger in person, are to-day again attacking Glencoe.

"Gen. Yule, commanding our troops, has moved his camp back into a better defensive position."

The Daily News publishes the following dispatch from Ladysmith, dated Sunday night:

"A large force under Commandant General Joubert and Commandant Vegan, opened fire on Dundee yesterday. The firing was continued to-day. The result is not known here."

A dispatch from Ladysmith, Natal dated 4:15 Sunday afternoon, was received earlier. It was a literal repetition of Cape Town's Glencoe advices of yesterday.

The Parliamentary Secretary of the War Office, George Wyndham, made a statement in the House of Commons to-day, saying:

"Lord Wolseley sums up the position in Natal early this morning as follows:

"'In the battle of Elandslaagte, October 21, two guns were captured from the Boers, who lost heavily.

"'A large column of the enemy appeared advancing from the north and west on Gen. Yule, who, consequently, had fallen back from Dundee, and was concentrating at Glencoe Junction. In this operation we gather in the wounded and medical attendants left at Dundee.

"'Gen. White was in position at Ladysmith, and is being reinforced from Pietermaritzburg.

"'The enemy appears to be in large numerical superiority.'"

A.J. Balfour, the Government leader in the House of Commons and First Lord of the Treasury, said that the War Office had no news of any serious engagement at Glencoe since Friday.

THE SITUATION OF GLENCOE.

It appears certain that the brilliant victory at Elandslaagte as productive of no effect for the relief of Glencoe; and the very reticence and brevity of Lord Wolseley's communication are only too ominous. It seems to be worded to prepare the public for bad news; and it is only too likely that Gen. Yule has been compelled to abandon the wounded and the prisoners at Dundee because his force is too weak to hold the four and a half miles separating Dundee from Glencoe.

Probably Gen. Yule believes he can protect Dundee from an enemy advancing from the northwest by concentrating al his available strength at Glencoe, where there are now 3,500 men and three batteries. In the meantime efforts will be made to reopen the railway and to get reinforcements from Ladysmith.

It is expected that Commandant Erasmus has by this time joined Commandant General Joubert, and that their combined column amounts to some 10,000 or 11,000 men, while the Free State Boers, now threatening Ladysmith from the east, and a column reported to be coming through Zululand toward Meloth must also be reckoned with.

In short, Gen. Sir George Stewart White has been unable to follow up his successes, and is obliged to remain at Ladysmith, without being able to restore railway communication, which is probably broken at other points besides Elandslaagte.

Thus the enemy, although their original plan, which is supposed to have been Col. Schiel's failed, may fairly be credited with having isolated Gen. Yule's brigade and divided the British forces in Natal. Gen. Yule may find himself in a tight place, needing all his experience in Indian and Burmese fighting to extricate himself.

It is considered quite evident that the War Office reports have been withheld from the public, and if the situation as here sketched is confirmed, Boer divisions may be expected at other points.

THE PRICE OF SUZERAINTY.

Up to midnight the War Office was besieged with enquiries, the heavy lists of British losses causing much heartburning. "If this,"
said a workingman who was reading the list, "is the price of suzerainty, good God! we are paying in full."

It is regarded as not impossible that Gen. White may yet be compelled to concentrate all the Natal forces at Ladysmith and await
the arrival of the army corps.

The best opinions do not credit the reports that the Boers are suing for peace, or that they are likely to yield at present, through it is thought the Boers may possibly retreat to their line of defence in the mountain passes of Laing's Nek and Drakensberg. They have blocked the passes with great boulders and masses of rock blown up on either side, and, if they desire, they will be able to hold out there until the advance of Major General Sir Redvers Buller through the Orange Free State will compel them to leave the Natal side to meet the invasion from the South.

Published NY TIMES, October 24, 1899.
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BRITISH RETREAT BEFOR THE BOERS

Dundee and Glencoe Abandoned to Them.

YULE OFF FOR LADYSMITH

Makes a Wide Detour to the East to Reach That Place.

WHITE TO MEET HIM

Wounded in Hospital at Dundee Reported Abandoned.

Main Boer Forces May Effect a Junction To-day with Those from Van Reenan's Pass, and a Great Battle Is Expected.

A dispatch from Gen. White to the Secretary of State for War clears up the situation in Northern Natal. There is now no doubt that Gen. Yule has abandoned the Glencoe camp and is making all speed to Ladysmith, to connect with the forces directly under en. White.

This leaves the whole of Northern Natal, down to Ladysmith, in possession of the Boers, who appear to be carrying out their original plan of campaign, and are gradually converging upon Ladysmith, unchecked by their reverses in the battles of Friday and Saturday near Dundee and Elandslaagte.

The British victories at these places, obtained with a loss of nearly 400 men, are apparently fruitless, as the positions they won are abandoned.

There is a large force of burghers a few miles west of Ladysmith, between that town and Van Reeman's Pass.

Aside from some minor cavalry skirmishes this Boer force has not been disturbed by the British.

A smaller force is reported to be moving westward from the eastern border.

In the south, near Aliwal North, President Steyn appears to have assumed command in person.

The situation at Kimberley and Mafeking, in the west, is unchanged.

Published NY TIMES, October 25, 1899.
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LORD WOLSELEY'S REPORT

LONDON, October, 24, 1899. The Parliamentary Secretary of the War Office, George Wyndham in the House of Commons to-day announced that Field Marshal Lord Wolseley, the Commander in Chief of the forces, sums up the situation in Natal to-day as follows:

"Gen. Yule has fallen back to effect a junction with Sir George Steward White. He camped yesterday evening about sixteen miles south of Dundee, without seeing anything of the enemy during the march, and it has since been reported that 'All's well on the Waschbank River.'

"Gen. White fought a successful action with and Orange Free State force today, on the road between Ladysmith and Newcastle, and should join hands with Gen. Yule this evening.

"Gen. Yule reports that his wounded are doing well.

"The Boers wounded on our hands are treated just as our own, and I have every reason to believe the Boers will treat any of our wounded in their hands in a similarly humane manner."

Mr Wyndham added: "I may remind the House that the Transvaal is a party to the Geneva convention."

"Lord Wolseley further says: 'I have also received from Gen. Walker, at Cape Town, the following: "The last message from Kimberley - October 22, 2 P.M. - reports all well."'"

The afternoon newspapers here sharply criticise Lord Wolseley's summary of the Natal situation. They say it has a distinct resemblance to the statements of the Spanish Ministry when preparing their countrymen for news of the disaster at Santiago. This however, is probably an overstrained view. There is no denying, however, the great suspense and anxiety existing, which has been increased by the report in circulation, purporting to emanate from official quarters, to the effect that the Boers have
secured the services of 13,000 natives.

The vague and varied estimates of the Boer losses and the absence of anything official on the subject are also arousing misgivings as to whether the beaten enemy suffered proportionately to the disastrous losses of the victors.

One of the most disquieting stories comes from Ladysmith. It is to the effect that an Englishman, who arrived there from Dundee on Sunday evening, after escaping through the Boer lines on the previous night, reported that the enemy was then shelling the camp and town with heavy guns, while the shells of the British were unable to reach the enemy's batteries. Consequently, the man
is said to have added, the camp was shifted a mile or so, in order to be out of reach of the Boers, who were firing on the magazine in the town.

Published NY TIMES, October 25, 1899.
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THE RETREAT FROM DUNDEE.

Boers Occupy an Exceedingly Strong Position on Main Road to Ladysmith and the British Leave.

LONDON, October 25, 1899. - The following dispatch from Gen. Sir George Stewart White to the Marquis of Landsdowne, Secretary of State for War, received last evening at 11 o'clock, was posted at the War Office soon after midnight:

"Ladysmith, October 24, 9 P.M. - Information received yesterday showed that the Boers had established themselves in considerable numbers in an exceedingly strong position west of the main road leading from Ladysmith to Dundee.

"I also had information that the Dundee force, formerly commanded by Gen. Symons, and, since his wound, commanded by Gen. Yule, was falling back on Ladysmith by way of the Helpmakaar Road, Beith, and the valleys of the Waschbank and Sunday Rivers, and was expected to reach Sunday River Valley to-day.

"I therefore moved out with a strong force to cover the movement of Yule's column. The enemy was discovered about seven miles out of Ladysmith, in a position of exceptional natural strength, west of the road. When he saw that preparations were being made against him, he opened fire with one gun with great accuracy.

"Our artillery soon got into position, and the gun was silenced. Our troops were ordered to occupy a strong ridge, parallel to the enemy's position, but nearer the road.