The Topeka state journal., 1899-12-07


not recognized, and that his position
was practically unbearable.
1t is reported from CapetOwn that the
Transvaal government still refuses to
acknowledge the right of the United
States to interfere regarding prisoners
in Pretoria, insisting that Great Brit
ain must inquire through Commantant
General JOubert
A dispatch from F'rere camp dated
December 5, says:
1.-The Beers are firing into Lady
smith 1t is rumored that six thousand
Free State troops have left Ladysmith
entertaining the gravest fears as to the
safety of their own countrymen."
BRITISH CAMPAIGN PLANS.
New York, Dec. IA dispatch to the
Tribune from London says;
Gen. Clery is gradually preparing to
turn the Boer position at COlensO and
delieve Ladysmith, while Lord Methuen
holds Gen. CrOnje's forces at SpytfOn-
tein and JacObSdale and Gen. Gatacre
is playing with the Free State raiders
among the Dutch villages of the disaf-
fected district of Cape Colony The
variations of these three themes con-
tinue to occupy the attention of mill
tary writers for the London press. E1v-
idence is found of Gen. Buffers con-
trolling mind in directing the British
campaign for the expulsion of the
Free Staters from Cape Colony and the
relief of Kimberley. The defeat of
Cronje's army would release forces of
considerable strength from operations
remote from Natal and open the way
for the concentration of a Dutch army
at BlOemfOntein. whence reinforce
ments could be sent to the BOer laagers
between COlenSO and LadySmith. Pre-
mature action either at MOdder river or
on the southern frontier of the Free
State would tend to diminish the pres
sure now brought to bear upon the en-
emy's camp around Ladysmith for a
withdrawal of a portion of these COM
mands to the passes of the Drakens-
burg range
These are the best explanations offer
ed by military men in London clubs for
the continued inactiOn of both Lord
Methuen and Gen. Gatacre, and it is
always easy to follow them up with the
reflection that time is on the side OF
the British army, with its superior dis
cipline and systematic arrangements
for supplies and heavily against the ir-
regularly organized Dutch forces. While
theories like these are a poor substitute
for war news, the veteran officers are
glad to accept evidence that the gen
erals are no longer in hot haste to at
tack the enemy in strongly fortified
positions without manOeuVering for
protection for the infantry from a
deadly fire directly in front.
The official news yesterday included
the casualty list in the sOrtie from
kim berley on November %, when the
BOer laager was surprised and captur-
ed. This was serious fight, for -
We're killed on the British side and 80
wounded. South Africans readily iden-
tify two names in the list of killed.
Ma 1Or SSCOtT-1uFner was a gallant
rough rider VINO had seen much hard
service in Matabeleland and RhOdesia
under Forbes and Darlington. He was
a fine hOrseman and man utterly
fearless, with an Unborn love of adven-
ture. Lieut. Wright was famous as one
of the coolest and most expert rifiemen
in South Africa and a match for the
best hunters among the Beers.
An official bulletin also came from
Gen. Butler respecting the losses of the
enemy, which he estimated at 800 killed
and wounded before Ladysmith on No
vember g. and 130 in EIiIdyards 3 fight at
Willow Grange. These estimates were
accompanied by a general charge that
the enemy did not admit more than
One-t tenth of the losses suffered. AS
Gen. .Methuen had telegraphed in sim
liar way respecting the BOer losses at
MOdder river it was evident that the
war office had suggested that some
thing should be said by him and Gen
Butler to cOnteract the effect of the
on the British side Cues for these re
ports had come from London where the
officials were annoyed by Ledys Brus-
sells bulletins showing insignificant
Dutch losses as an offset to the terri
Bile havoc wrought among the British
battalionS.
STEYN TAKES THE FIELD.
London, Dec. THE announcement
is made in a. special dispatch from
BloOmfOntein, dated Sunday, December
g, that President Steyn, of the Orange
Free state, has joined the Boer forces
of the MOdder River His appearance,
the dispatch says. caused great enthus-
iasm among the Beers.