The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-04
is SIX DAYS IN ARREARS
The Censorship Keeps Back
South African News.
TACTICAL MISTAKE MADE
The Strength OF the Beers Underesti-
mated - Methuen Again in the
Field - The Dutch on the
Border Are Rising.

London, Dec. 4. 4:40 a. m.-The
week opened without a word of news
such as the British public is so anx-
ously awaiting. With larger army
in the field than the country ever be-
fore mobilized, it can only be said that
the loss of $500 men, entailed before
the enemy's borders have been cross
ed, is a serious matter, and while there
is no feeling of dependency as to
gretfully admitted on all sides that
the strength of the Boer resistance has
been woefully underrated.
1t is now seen that the attempt to
hold a useless position at Mafeking
was serious tactical mistake, as was
also the endeavor to keep the large
civil population in Kimberley. Per-
haps the brightest reading to-day is
the announcement that President Nc
Kinley. has selected the son of Secre-
tary Hay to succeed Mr.. Macrum in
Kimberley. The Times says:
This appointment is q graceful con-
cession on the part Of the United
| States government to British feelings
Our countrymen's interests will be safe
in the hands of the new consul
South African news is now six days
in arrears. The censorship does not
yet permit details of the Modder river
battle to be transmitted. Some vague
statements have been published in
Cape Town papers and accordin. to
these the Beers numbered 5000 men
and Were intrenched on both banks of
the stream, although mostly on the
northern bank. The British, according
to those accounts, drove the enemy
across the river, compelling them to
retreat. and established themselves on
both banks. These details, however,
are too meager to enable an accurate
idea of the engagement to be form
ed
dispatch has reached London an
nouncing that Lord Methuen is again
in the field and 1t is also said that
Count Gretchen, who was wounded in
the fighting at Modder river. was
struck in the neck by a bullet.
Serious news comes from the nor. h
ern sections of Cape Colony. The
whole border district between Coles
burg and Burgersdorp has declared for
the Beers. In VenterStad alone more
than 1000 have Joined the rebellion.
The farmers have formed a commando
and talk of a confident march on Cape
Town. General Buffers proclamation
has been torn down and tramnled on
and the loyalists are hidden to hurry
to Cape Town to prepare coffee for the
rebels.
The official list shows that a mod,-
fication has been made in the COM
mand of the 9Th division. Instead Of
Lieutenant General Clarke. The COM
mander will be Major General Thomas
Kelly-Kenny, inspector general Of aux
iliary forces and recruiting. with Ma
jor General Knox and Major General
| Clements as brigadier commanders
General Kelly-Kenny has had no South
African experience.
With regard tC Natal. it is still
doubtful whether the bridge over the
Tugela at Colenso has been destroyed.
There is a report that the Bc;tsh
drove the Beers off while attemorsg g
to destroy it. but the probability is
that the structure was mined and fired
afterward.
According to a dispatch from Pot
ter's kraal dated Tuesday. Nov. 2S, the
Beers were then attempting to turn
movements from Sseinsburg and the
district north of Storkstrom. in coop
Grafton with the rebels by way of Mar
misburg and Tarkastad against Gem
Gatacres column.
The wreck of the troopshfp Ismore
may result in the loss of $50 horses.