The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-03
BRITISH DEAD AND WOUNDED.
HUNDREDS or THEM LEFT IN MOD
DER RIVER FIGHT.


out of Casualties Numbering ABS
Seventy-three Were INiued-The
Dispatch Gives Little Information
Many British Families Interested.
Methuen Awaiting Reinforcemcnts.
Has Affected DOer Strategy-TrOOps
smith.
London, Dec. 2.-As surm'sed the British
dead and wounded at the ha.d fought bat
tie OF Mcdder river number hundreds.
Up to O'Clock this afternoon only the
bare total, 4Ss, of which number seventy
three were killed, had been given out,
The meagre Official dispatch giving a list
of the Briush casualties at Moidar river
and announcing the bare fact that Lord
Methuen is sti.E there awaiting reinforce
ments Is only supplemented by a brief spe-
cial message from Cape Town tonight
stating that the Beers destroyed the bridge
over the Modder river before the battle.
and are now concentrating at spytfonteln,
where ihe final battle before Kimberley is
relieved, is expected to take place.
The censor has apparently stopped all
press messages from the front relating to
the battle, which is not regarded as a fa-
vorable indication
As to the material results of Lord Me-
thuens engagement, Il IS not yet clear
whether Lord Methuen's force actually
| crossed the Modder river or is stu await
| ing the rebuilding of the bridge before the
artillery and cavalry can cross. In any
case, the railway must be carried over the
| bridge before the Indispensable big naval
guns can pass, because Lord Methuen's
| last message showed that they We're work.
ed on trucks along the railroad.
1t Is a significant fact that Lord Me-
thuens cablegram makes no mention of
the Boer loss. which, therefore, is assum-
| ed to be small.
Has Affected the Beers.
A dispatch from Cape Town this even
ing says Lord Methuen's advance undouht-
edly Is beginning 70 affect the Boer STRAIT
egy and probably explains the with
drawal from Mooi river. The continued
presence Of commanders in Cape Colony,
tends TO confirm the opinions that the
| Beers are making desperate efforts to re-
cruit their forces from the Dutch resi-
dents.
While 1t is impossible to obtain exact
statistics, 1t is absolutely certain that the
disaffected Dutch have Joined the Beers
In great numbers, which are still increas-
ing. MOST OF the recruits, however, are
| young men, Gen. Buffers message. clear
| ly Indicating that the punishment for dis
| loyalty has deferred the actual holders Of
farms from joining the Beers through fear
of conhscation of their property.
Relief of Ladysmith.
The latest news from Natal indicates
! that the bulk Of the Badysmith relief force
| has arrived at Freere, though there is
| considerable conjectures as to the where
| abouts of Gen. Clery, whose movements
| have not been chronicled recently. 1t is
surmised in some quarters that he may re-
| appear In a totally unexpected quarter,
| on the flank or rear of Gen. Jouberts IS
| force which is supposed to be concentrate ed
| at Grobelaar's Kloof north of the Tugela
! river AS Gen. Hildyard's advance guard
was in touch with the Beers as long ago
as Tuesday last, developments should not
be long delayed.
Dundonald's mounted force, Nov. g. ac-
companied by four guns, went in pursuit
Of body of Beers returning TO Colcnso.
| They followed the Beers to within two
! and a half miles Of Colenso, when the
Beers replied to the British shells with
long range guns. There were no casual
ties. Colenso bridge, it is added was aft
| erwards blown uD.
| Another detachment of 5000 British
troops sailed for South Africa to-day.
Paper Famine Threatened.
| Owing to the phenomenal sale of the
newspapers consequent upon the war, a
paper famine is threatened. IT is report
ed that the American supplies have failed
| temporarily.