New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-29
WANTED DEFINITE NEWS.
LONDONS FEARS FOR THE LANCERS-
WHAT THE CRITICS SAY OF
THE WAR.
[BY CABLE TO THE TRIBUSE.l

london Nov 20 / a. m.-Whe there Is no
public anxiety over the military situation In
South Africa there is a high degree Of sus-
piciousness respecting the war news wherever
there is the smallest loophole for doubt and un-
certainty Lord Methuen's account Of the battle
Of Gras Pan--or Ensin as 1t is now officially
known-was clear and direct, but he did not re-
port the return Of the 9th Lancers, and for
forty-eight hours there was reluctance TO accept
It as a bulletin OF victory until there could be
definite assurance that the cavalry had not been
entrapped like the hussars after Dundee. Lord
Methucn has not yet completed his dispatch by
the addition of the trivial detail that the cavalry
pursuit after the battle was Ineffective and the
suspicious public has been left to infer that the
lancers were not carried off to Pretoria by
the willy Beers from the appearance Of the
official casualty list Two men. an officer and
q private Of the 9th Lancers, are reported as
wounded in a reconnaissance the day after the
engagement.
LOSSES SMALLER THAN EXPECTED
The British losses in Lord Methuen's second
battle were much smaller than had been feared
from the Admiralty list. The total killed,
wounded and missing for infantry, cavalry and
artillery was 92 whereas the losses of the naval
brigade were 10j. This indicates that the brunt
Of the artillery work was done by the naval
brigade whose guns being OF greater range,
concentrated the enemy's fire. Lord Methuens
admirers in military circles here assert that the
casualty list bears out the conclusion that
scientific use was made of the artillery In clear
ing the ground for the bayonet charge. and saw
ing thereby the infantry from heavy losses. The
naval officers smile grimly, and add that their
brigade had been protecting the infantry bat
talions at high cost. The same officers have
been twtting their comrades in the military SER
vice with the fact that artillerymen have been
sent by the War Office from the whole island to
learn how TO work long range guns under naval
coaching.
General Buffers dispatch 10 the War once
contained explicit confirmation OF the press re-
ports that all was well at Ladysmith on Friday
and the details Of the condition OF the WOUNDED.
Il also announced that General Joubert hah
satisfactorily explained the firing upon the nag
OF truce against which General White had
strongly protested. Similar outrages under tho
white flag on the western border nave exclted
much resentment in England, and are helping 10
silence the malcontents who employ their leisure
In abusing Mr.. Chamberlain"
The relief column for Ladysmith Is rapidly
moving up to Frere, and is receiving reinforce
teries have been sent TO Durham from Cape
Town, so that the relief column Will be strong
in artillery. Lord Dundonald. who is leading
the advance on Colenso with mounted troops
is a grandson of the famous Admiral Cochrahe'
who DESTROYED the French fleet in Basque ROADS
and fought in the Chian of independence
Lord Dundonald served with distinction In the
Nile expedition, but is best known IN Lohdoh
as the popular colonel Of the ID Life Guards
The story Of General Hildyard's sortie is re-
told to-day in several journals, and he Is now
receiving general recognition for the best oit
OF strategy displayed on the British side since
the opening OF the war. The fresh details bring
out the fine work Done by Bethunes Horse ana
tne splendid practice Of the Naval Brigade by
which the Boer gun was put out Of action
SAILING OF THE FIFTH DIVISION.
The Fifth Division is rapidly getting OF for
'he Cape One-half OF the composite regiment
of the Household Cavalry will sail to-day. The