The San Francisco call. [volume], October 18, 1899, Image 1

About The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913

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VOLUME LXXXVI— JNO. 140.
FROM BRITISH SOURCES COME
REPORTS OF REPULSES OF
BOERS AT MAFEKING.
LONDON, Oct. 18.— The Morning
Post's Ladysmith correspondent
telegraphs that the Basutos have
risen against the Free State.
LADYSMITH, Oct 17, 5 p. m.—
The foremost detachment of the
enemy's northern column has ad
vanced beyond Ingagane, and no
definite movement has been made
from the Dr.ikensburg passes.
LONDON. Oct 17.— special dispatch
from Cape Town says that 3* Boers and
eighteen British have been killed in a bat
tle at Mafeking.
This dispatch, however, Is discredited
by the following bulletin Issued by the
"War Office to-night:
"No news of any Importance has been
received since yesterday's notice."
COLESBURG, Oct 17.— 1t is persistently
reported from widely different sources
that a largo force of Boers resolutely at
tacked Mafeking on Friday and after
several hours' fighting were repulsed with
heavy loss. ,
CAPE TOWN, Oct. 17. Communi
cation with Belmont station, sixty miles
Bouth of Kimberley, is still open. The fight
with the armored train from Kimberley.
in which the Boers lost more men than
they did at Majuba Hill, is held to prove
that their shooting is not so good as it
is reputed to be. It is the general be
lief he-re. from items of Intelligence re
ceived, that the Boers actually attacked
Mafeking and were repulsed. The re
ports of continued fighting there are re
garded a^ proving that the Boers failed
to score a success.
TERMARITZBURG. Natal, Oct. 17.
—Private advices received here show that
the Boers are proceeding with extreme
caution. They are trying to secure strat
egic defensive positions, but are afraid to
attack the English camps.
No definite intelligence has reached here
from Kimberley or Mafeking, but in offi
cial circles great confidence exists as to
the British forces gallantly holding their
own.
LADYSMITH. Natal. Oct. 17.— Boers are
quiet around Glencoe. The main body of
General Joubert's column was reported
last night to be near Dannhauser and
moving south slowly.
The Boers must have secured consider
able quantities of private stores of grain
and forage by the occupation of New
castle.
LOURENZO MARQUES, Oct. 17.-Ref
ugees who have arrived here from the
Transvaal report that the Boers have
been repulsed at Mafeking, sustaining
heavy losses.
THREE THOUSAND MOUNTED
BOERS NEAR LADYSMITH
LONDON. Oct. 17.-No further reliable
news from Mafeking has been received.
Dr. Leyds, the Plenipotentiary of the
Bouth African Government to European
Governments, is said to be going to Ber
lin shortly to confer with political per
sonages.
Advices from Durban announce that the
Consul of The Netherlands there has is
sued a warning to all subjects. The
Netherlands is to remain neutral.
The Hope town bridge over the Orange
River which Cape Town advices to-day
Bald had been blown up by the British,
Pictorial Map of the Western Frontier of the Transvaal in the Vicinity of Mafeking.
v. , o ,i»il^ th^Si^f * °J£ hB B ° er \ at °"°? hoo 8 ' Khutwana and other places east of the frontier, from which they raided Marigobo, Kraal Pan and
other H£ X Boer the rail road and how they have ,Sola , Colonel Baden-Powell's forces at Mafeking and cut them off from the - Rooigrond reservoir. The po
-B,ti°n tw nomfs Jre rfven fl™' o^^ SmaU Tr^ svaal ****• wh,le the British- flag "larks the only place held by the British. Distances to Pretoria, Cape Town
and other points are given in figures, with arrows showing the direction. ' -, •;•'.•■"*
The San Francisco Call.
l is not the railway bridge, as before re
ported, but a bridge twelve miles west of
; the railway over which the old coaching
road passes.
A special disptch from Pretoria says the
! Boers destroyed the Bechuanaland rail-
I way during Friday night from Lobatsl to
| Arvogelkop.
The Standard's Dundee correspondent, i
telegraphing Monday night, says: "The |
Boers have brought artillery from New
castle and are destroying the railway at
Ingagane in order to prevent the ap
proach of our armored train."
The correspondent of the Dally Mail at
Glencoe telegraphs that General Sir Wil
liam Symons says that there are only 3000
mounted men in the Boer columns Immed
diately north of Ladysmith, but that
there are large numbers of men on foot.
The horses of the Boers are in wretchedly
poor condition and the men look worn
out The Boers are robbing all natives
traversing the Transvaal.
The Cape Town correspondent of the
Daily News says that W. P. Schreiner,
the Cape Colony Premier, was only in
duced to sign the decree proclaiming mar
tial law in the northern parts of Cape
Colony after Sir Alfred Milner gave him
the option of signing or resigning. To
save Mr. Schreiner's face the proclama
tion so specifically mentioned the fact
that the colony had been Invaded by an
enemy.
HEAVY FIGHTING
NORTH OF MAFEKING
LONDON. Oct. 17.— special dispatch
from Pretoria, dated October 14, by way
of Delagoa Bay, says: A cyclist dispatch
was received from Ottosheep, near Mal
mani, at 6 o'clock asserting that heavy
fighting had been in progress all day long
north of Mafeking. The British troops
on board an armored train acted as a
covering force for the engineers engaged
in repairing the track. A Maxim on the
train kept up a continuous fire.
Conspicuous bravery was displayed on
both sides, but it soon became apparent
that the rifles of the burghers were in
effective against an armored train. The
latter, however, was once forced to re
treat before a particularly strong assault,
but it soon returned, accompanied by a
British mounted contingent, and the
fighting was renewed fiercely.
Fighting still continues, the Boers hold
ing their positions well. A dozen Boers
were killed or wounded, but the British
casualties cannot be ascertained.
Heavy firing can be heard south of
Mafeking, where General Cronje's com
mando is operating.
A corps of experienced continental en
gineers, former officers, has left Pretoria
for the southwestern borders, escorted by
a commando of picked Poet shot". % It 'Js
probably intended for large dynamite op
erations.
A big engagement Is expected shortly In
the vicinity of Ladysmith. The forces of
Commandant Piet Vys are encamped on a
mountain overlooking Dundee, from
which point they will be able to observe
the movements of the British troops.
AN ARMED TRAIN
STANDS OFF THE BOERS
KIMBERLEY. Oct. 17.— An armored
train, while reconnoiterlng near Spyts
fontein, engaged with Boers, killing five
SAN FRANCISCO,. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1899.
and wounding seven. The British had no
losses.
LONDON, Oct. 17.— skirmish near
Spytsfontein, says a special dispatch
from Cape Town, was quite lively. The
armored train with a detachment of
Lancashires approached unmolested until
within range and then the Boers opened
fire. The Maxims were strongly set to
work and did good execution among the
burghers. The latter also used artillery,
but ineffectively. The armored train re
turned to Kimberley unharmed.
The crew of the armored train say the
Boers fired thirteen shells,. but their aim
was wretched and not a single shot
struck the train, which then made bold
to approach nearer and opened fire with
the Maxims. The burghers replied with
heavy rifles, again shooting wildly. Only
three or four bullets struck the train.
Subsequently the crew learned that Aye
Boers and two Boer horses were killed
while several Boers and horses were
wounded. Not a member of the British
force was so much as touched
PRELIMINARY BATTLES
IN THE BOER ADVANCE
PRETORIA. Oct. 14 (Delayed in trans
missions-Heavy fighting took place this
morning north of Mafeking. An armored
train sent to repair the railroad line
opened fire on the Boer commando. One
burgher was killed and two were wound
ed. A second engagement followed, in
which nine British were wounded
Yesterday while General Cronje's troops
were near the broken railway bridge nine
miles north ° Mafeking an approaching
train loaded with dynamite was fired upon
and blown up. There were no casualties
on the Transvaal side.
Further dispatches received by the Gov
ernment say that the fighting continues
north of Mafeking. The British, after the
second engagement, retired in the direc
tion of the town, but the.v resumed the at
tack shortly afterward, two burghers be
ing killed and three wounded. The com
mando engaged was impeded owing to the
want of heavy artillery, which was sub
sequently obtained from General Cronje
COLESBURG, Cane Colony, Oct. 1L-
Passengers arriving from Johannesburg
are forced to leave the train north of Nor
vals Point and to make a detour through
the veldt, under escort, joining the train
farther south. This is understood to be
due to the fact that the Boers have under
mined the bridge.
LADYSMITH, Natal, Oct. 17.—
threatened assault upon Glencoe is be
lieved to be a feint in the hope of weaken
ing the garrison here and exposing the
towns to the westward.
The Boers arc resting, preparatory to
completing their encircling movement for
an .attack upon Dundee. i*hey cannot ad
vance much farther without coming Into
contact with British cavalry, who screen
the position. Nevertheless, the situation
is such that little fighting is expected in
the near future in this section apart from
desultory outpost skirmishes. All the
women and children have left Dundee.
CAPE TOWN, Oct. 17,— A special dis
patch from Mafeking says that all was
Intact there up to Saturday night. At
that time the Boer artillery was being
brought up, but It had not been placed in
position. According to these advices, the
British have blown up the Hope Town
Continued on Second Page.
SHAMROCK CRIPPLED AND
COLUMBIA HAS A "WALKOVER."
TOPMAST OF THE CUP CHALLENGER CARRIED AWAY.
After the Shamrock had crossed the starting line yesterday this accident caused her enormous club topsail, with its 3000 feet of canvas, to fall to the deck.
This catastrophe caused the Shamrocks captain to at once abandon the race. ,
NEW YORK, Oct. 17.— Another vic
tory for Columbia! Bat public in
terest will hardly survive another
triumph of the sort. It lapsed
with the fall of the challenger's
topmast, and though a part of the excur
sion fleet followed the Columbia in her
solitary ramble around the triangular
course there were few to grow enthus
iastic over a victory which accident had
rendered certain. . Nor was there any ap
plause for the Columbia when after that
mishap to the Shamrock the defender con
tinued upon her course. "Magnificent, but
it is not war," was a soldier's comment
on Balaklava. Mr. Iselin was plainly
within his rights when he rounded out
the run and claimed the victory, for Sir
Thomas Lipton is signatory to an agree
ment wherein It is stipulated that in case
of accident to either yacht the other
shall continue on her course and be cred
ited with a race should she finish. There
is a deep-seated instinct which protests
against the acceptance of victory through
the unsuspected weakness of a piece of
rigging worn by a rival craft. The hope
was freely expressed that the Columbia
would not claim and would not take he
rights. But when lt was seen that there
was no intent of relinquishing the ad
vantage gained there was a fervent hope,
and one freely and frequently expressed,
that the wind would die out and thus
prevent the winning of a race through
the mishap to a rival. -..*,;-
To every one who went out the disap
pointment: was keen. A fairer yachting
day could hardly be imagined. Moreover,
It was the sort of day that the Shamrock
people have been wishing for, a J fresh
wind blowing true and a lively sea run
ning before it. The race Itself over the
triangular course was another feature
which attracted many. All : previous ef
forts in this series have been fifteen miles
to the windward or leeward route, but the
course of to-day was to be over the tri
angular run, and in the fresh winds and
tumbling seas the contest promised to be
as thrilling as any ever witnessed in these
waters.
In pure gayety of spirit the excursion
ists cheered and shouted and waved
handkerchiefs and hats when the two
racers,; with boom and spar buckling to
the strain of swollen canvas, went storm
ing across the starting line. A more ani
mated yachting picture was never wit
nessed than that presented by these splen
did yachts dashing along the course, the
foam dancing in brilliant rainbows about
their weather bows, while to leeward the
water swept in glassy curves from the
clear knife-like stems. Under mainsail,
club topsails, jib, baby jib and staysails
the two j clipped it along, - both pointing
high and footing so fast that some of the
excursion boats had difficulty in keeping
pace. But all set out in pursuit of the
winged racers, and all were rejoicing in
the prospect of, a glorious struggle, when
hopes were dashed by the accident to the
Shamrock. She was then the focus for
all eyes, for to the many It seemed that
she. was outfooting the cup defender, and
it appeared also that she had reached out
far, enough to cross the Columbia's bow.
A number were expecting that she would
attempt that maneuver and were watch
ing | the challenger with intense interest,
when a cry of dismay arose. Bending to
the weight -of the club topsail the Sham
rock's topmast suddenly snapped and fell,
precipitating -the, sail's spar into a mass
of ■ wreckage, . which, suspended '■ by Its
■wire rigging, swung ?to and fro with the
movement of the yacht. V . - V
' The disabled cutter was promptly head
ed Into the wind, and efforts were quickly
made to secure the splintered mast and
bagging topsail before it had done any in
jury to the mainsail. The Erin, with Sir
Thomas Lipton on board, promptly stood
toward her crippled consort, at the same
time making signals to the Shamrock's
tender, the tugboat Lawrence. That ves
sel headed for the crippled yacht, and as
soon as the wreckage had been secured a
tow line was made fast and the two were
headed back to port. The Erin followed
and as the procession moved silently by
the excursion fleet opened up its whistles
and all the passengers cheered the unfor
tunate vessel and her plucky owner. The
Erin ranged near to the Shamrock, and
Sir Thomas Lipton spoke encouragingly
to Captain Hogarth, who seemed to feel
the accident very keenly.
To newspaper men Captain Hogarth
would not attempt any explanation. All
that he cared to say was that he was glad
the broken mast had not come down on
deck and that he was pleased no one was
injured. '.'^
Apparently afraid that she would meet
with a similar mishap, the skipper of the
Columbia immediately after the breaking
of the Shamrock's topmast ordered her
baby jib taken in.
-The Columbia, however, made a fine
race of it, plucklly holding on to her club
topsail throughout and setting her bal
loon jib in the final reach for home. Her
time was little short of marvelous. She
covered the course in 3 hours 37 minutes,
the beat ten miles to windward in 1 hour
39 minutes 11 seconds, the reach to the
second mark In 53 minutes 59 seconds, and
the last leg In I hour 3 minutes 50 seconds.
As she crossed the finish line she let go her
head sails and one of the Deer Isle sailors
treated the spectators to an exhibition of
daring as he climbed out over the peak
halliards eighty feet In the air to loose the
club topsail. i.;« ».*._ *c"\'".'-V
Mr. Iselin, when seen after the Colum
bia had run her race and reached her
moorings, said that he much regretted
the accident. Sir Thomas Upton de
clared emphatically that the Columbia
was entitled to the race, and that Mr.
Iselin had a perfect right to claim it. Tne
two defeats have not discouraged him,
however. He has another chance and he
hopes to make that one count. The
ShEhnrock . was towed to Erie Basin,
where necessary repairs will be made.
After the new topmast has been put in
place the vessel will be remeasured and
will be ready for the contest Thursday.
That is to be the old fifteen miles to
windward or leeward and back, and if the
Columbia wins the series will have been
completed without* giving the Shamrock
an opportunity 7 to test her merits In her
favorite* point of sailing over a triangular
course. ■7777 y'y
TECHNICAL STORY OF
THE ONE-SIDED RACE
Owing to the Injury to the Shamrock
the Next Contest Is Postponed
.One Day. ._
NEW YORK, Oct. 17.— Clear weather
and a fine whole sail breeze greeted the
skippers and : crews of. the racing yachts
when they turned to « this morning. An
early start was the order and both yachts
.were towing out past the j point of the
Hook at 9 o'clock. The Shamrock's main
sail was hoisted soon after, and at 9:20 she
, cast off her towline, broke out her Jib and.
- *.''."-< ■::'l7-.. : '. - :■ .* .: .
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
filled away to starboard at a point mid
way between Scotland and Sandy Hook
lightships. The Columbia continued In
tow until well up to the Sandy Hook
lightship, and at 9:25 o'clock her crew set
the mainsail in eight minutes. As soon as
the sail was up she cast off her towline
and set what appeared to be her No. 2
club topsail, not the largest one she has.
The club topsail which the Shamrock
began* to set at 9:40 o'clock was appar
ently her largest one, the same one which
was bent on Monday to aluminum spars.
To-day wooden ones were used. With a
freshening breeze from the eastward and
an ugly swell rolling in from the same
quarter, it seemed a rather risky pro
ceeding to swing such a large topsail
aloft. . Subsequent events proved that
with a smaller club topsail the Shamrock
might have finished the race. The same
persons were on board the Columbia and
Shamrock as on previous race days and
when the committee boat arrived and an
chored northeast of the lightship at 10:20
o'clock the yachts were ready for the
start.
The signals for a triangular course were
set at 10:30 o'clock and one of the com
mittee boats was at once sent to log off
the first ten-mile leg and place the first
mark. The Course for the first leg was
east by south, for the second southwest
half south and for the third leg north
northwest. The first ten miles was to
windward, the second ten miles a reach
with boom. to starboard and the third a
reach with boom to port, thirty miles in
all. r
At 10:45, when the preparatory signal was
given, the yachts were maneuvering for
position, while the torpedo-boats and the
revenue cutters were driving out a few
excursion boats and yachts away from
the starting line. At the warning sig
nal, given at 10:55, the breeze had In
creased perceptibly and there was prom
ise of a good start in a few minutes. The
skipper of each yacht saw to it that tho
main sheets were kept well aft, so that
he could quickly gybe or tack his boat.
At one minute before the starting gun
the Shamrock, which had been maneu
vering southeast of the lightship, stood
to the northwest, closing in toward it.
Her boom was to port and well in board.
Coming up from the northward, also with
boom to port and wind abeam, the Co
lumbia met the Shamrock just as Ho
garth was getting ready to luff his yacht
sharp around the lightship's stern.
The situation at the gunfire was almost
exactly the same as that between the De
fender and Valkyrie 111 as they ap
proached the line on the day when the
Valkyrie fouled the Defender. When the
Shamrock, a moment after gunfire round
ed the lightship's stern and luffed sharp
up on the wind, the Columbia having been
unable to gain the weather berth, had
now an overlap of half her length on the
lee side of the Shamrock and so close
were they that the Shamrock's main boom
as she luffed to her course came danger
ously near the Columbia's weather shrouds
and masthead runner. Both yachts were
close hauled on the starboard tack, cross
ing the line on a diagonal course.
- The Shamrock had certainly the better
of the start and Columbia was placed In a
position that few yachts would be able to
extricate themselves from without either
keeping broad off or fouling. It was with
intense interest, then, that those. on the
accompanying yachts and excursion boats
watched the outcome* of this battle royal
between the slngle-sticKers.
One minute had not passed before the
Columbia's bowsprit began to show out
ahead of the Shamrock's. At 11:02, when
the handicap gun was fired the Columbia
was half a length out from under the lee
of her rival, and thirty seconds later when
the Shamrock tacked to port to get clear
of the Columbia's backwind the latter
yacht, by ; tacking five seconds later,
placed herself in a commanding position
on the Shamrock's weatner quarter.
The official time of the start was: Sham
rock, 11:00:15; Columbia, 11:00:17.
The wind was east by south and fresh