Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-12-08
DUTCH SUPREMACY
IN SOUTH AFRICA
London Times Says that is the
Dutch Ambition,
BOER LOSS AT MODDER RIVER
English Estimate Says $50 Major
seott-Turner's Charge More Troops
for South Africa.

London, Dec. Seen. Buffers arrival
at Frere is held to indicate that all the
Preparations for an advance TO the re-
lief Of Ladysmth are complete and
that stirring news viii soon be re-
celyed. The fact that Lord Methuen
Is announced as resumIng his command
at almost the same moment is inter-
preted in some quarters to mean that
battles VIII be fought simultaneously in
Natal and at Spytfontein. II appears
doubtful, however, whether Gen. Meth
uen's force Is yet ready for what VIII
evidently be heavy encounter.
The construction Of the temporary
bridge across Modder river has entailed
enormous labor and even now the
structure is liable to be washed away
should heavy storm come Gen.
Methuen has been obliged to move his
camp a mile north In consequence Of
the unsanitary state OF the stream, due
to the presence of the bodies OF dead
Beers. As the railway bridge was COM
pletely destroyed. he was compelled to
leave considerable force to protect
his communications.
A special correspondent sends the in
terestlng information regarding Boer
tactics that Commandant General Jou-
bert has given general orders TO reserve
fire until the British are within the
close range Of 400 yards. At the Mod
der Ifyer battle the Free State burgh-
ers became nervous, opened fire pre-
maturely, thus revealing their position
and frustrated the Boer plans.
The Morning Post publishes an ar
tlcle warning the British public that
the disilluslon already experienced re-
specting the Boer forces in Natal Is
likely to be repeated on the western
border"
II says that men are wanted every
where, and asks why the splendid body
Of royal marines Is now being EN-
pl0yed In sweeping floors and washing
paint In England and Is not sent out
10 handle the naval guns. instead Of the
hurrledly trained men. unfamiliar with
these weapons, who have gone.
The government has decided to dis
patch to South Africa at the earliest
possible moment, cavalry brigade Of
about 1000 men.
Baron Loeb. former governor of Cape
Colony and British high commission
or for South Africa, lecturing in Lon
don last evening, related some OF his
experiences with President Kruger He
said the remarks Of the Transyaal
president years ago showed that he
contemplated just the state OF affairs
which has now arisen. Mr.. Kruger even
expressed a desire TO have a seaport
and said the Transyaal hoped to have
d navy some day.
The Times. commenting upon Lord
Loch's "reminiscences, says that they
prove no 10 the hllt the Dutch ambi-
ton for Dutch supremacy in South
Africa.
The Daily Mall publishes a dispatch
from Julian Ralph at Modder river,
who says:
THE Kimberley people are troubled
by the necessity Of feeding 10000 Ba-
sutos in the diamond fields. whom the
who. should they fail TO get enough
meat, become disconnected and rest
less.
ION the night Of the battle OF Modder
liver, Kimberley, missing the accus-
toned signals from here. was In great
anxiety, fearing that we had been de-
feated. The fact was that we did not
use our searchlight for fear the Boer
enc
hundred and thirty Beers were Killed
or wounded In the battle here. That
number has already been accounted
for, and the enemys losses We're prob
ably much heavier
A special dispatch from Kimberley,
dated Wednesday, November Goth.
says: "As a result Of signals from the
relief force to the south and OF certain
movements on the part Of the Beers,
Col Kekewich determined 20 make q
sortie with a view TO keeping a large
force Of Beers employed here.
Yesterday afternoon a portion Of the
garrison with artillery under Mai.
Chamier, and mounted troops under
Major cott-Turner. advanced south
west towards the Boer positions and
invested Carriers farm, which COM
pleted the line II was intended 10 hold
In view Of Lord Methuens early ap.
proach
Major Scott-Turner then turned his
attention 10 the Boer lager. which he
routed in fne style in spite OF IN en-
emys heavy fire, All the camp equip
ments were completed or destroyed.
Finally the British stormed the ridge
and captured three redoubts after Sc
we're fighting.
I'm leading the men who were storm
ing the fourth redoubt, Major Scott
Turner and Lieut. Wright were killed.
II Is alleged that they were struck by
explosive bullets. The death OF Major
Scott Turner compelled the British 10
retire upon Carters farm. the whole