Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-12-08
BRITISH SEEM TO BE READY TO
MOVE AT LAST.
MAY BE STIRRING NEWS SOON
POSSIBILITY OF TWO GREAT SINFUL
famous BATTLES.
Lord Methuen Resumes Command al
MOdder River-AnOther Cavalry
Brigade of 1000 Men to he
Sent From England
at Once.

LONDON, Dec. s, a. m.-General Bull
ler's arrival at Frere is held to indicate
that all the preparations for an advance
to the relief of Ladysmith are complete,
and that stirring news will soon be re-
ceived. The fact that Lord Methuen is an
nounced as resuming his command at al
most the same moment is interpreted in
some quarters to mean that battles will
be fought simultaneously in Natal and at
Spytfontein. 1t appears doubtful, however,
whether General Methuen's force is yet
ready for what will evidently be a heavy
encounter.
The construction of the temporary bridge
across Modder river has entaied enor-
nous labor, and even now the structure is
liable to be washed away should a heavy
storm come. General Methuen has been
Obliged to move his camp a mile north in
consequence of the unsanitary state of the
stream, owing to the presence of the bodies
of dead Beers. As the railway bridge was
completely destroyed, he was compelled
to leave considerable force to protect his
communications.
A special correspondent sends the inter-
esting information regarding Boer tactics
that Commandant General Joubert has
given out orders to reserve fire until the
British are within the close range of 400
yards At the Modder river battle, the Free
State burghers became nervous, opened
fire prematurely, thus revealing their posi-
ton, and frustrated the Boer plans
The Morning Post publishes an article
warning the British public that the dis
i;linsi9nment already experienced respect
be repeated on the Western border
IT says that men are wanted everywhere
ana ,nnr,a asks :, why the splendid body of Royal
ing floors and washing paint in England
and is not sent out to handle the naval
guns, instead of the hurriedly trained men
gone.
The government has decided to dispatch
10 South Africa at the earliest possible
moment, cavalry brigade of about 1850
men.
The announcement is made in a dispatch
from Bloemfontein, dated Sunday, Decem-
Free State, has Joined the Boer forces of
the Modder river His appearance, the
dispatcn says. caused great enthusiasm
The Daily Mail publishes dispatch from
Julian Ralph at Modder river who says:
The kimberley people are troubled by
the diamond fields whom the Beers refuse
to allow to depart. and, who, should they
fail to get enough to eat, would become
disconnected and restless.
ION the night of the battle at Modder
river. Kimberley, missing the accustomed
signals from here. was in great anxiety,
Tearing tndt we nau Deen defeated. The
fact was that We did not use our search
| light for fear the Boer guns would wreck
the apparatus. Five hundred and thirty
Beers We're killed or wounded in the battle
here. That number has already been ac-
counted for: and the enemy's losses We're
probably much heavier"
FRERE CAMP, NATAL. Wednesday.
| Dec. "a runner from Ladysmith to-day
| reports all well. The bombardment, the
| messenger adds. continues. but is ineffec-
tive. the Beer shells only hitting the
| houses.
MODDER RIVER, Monday, Dec. A
| searchlight message from Colonel Keke-
| witch. at Kimberley, says the town is pro-
| visioned for forty days. with forage for
| thirty days, and has plentiful water sup
| ply.
Everything has been quiet here during
| the last three days. The theater and the
| convent have been fitted up as hospitals.
| A number of our cattle have been cap
| tured by the enemy.