The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-25
THE BdTIIE or MAGERsFONTR TEN.

Tho details OF Gen. Methuen's operations
after the occupation OF his present position on
the north bank OF the Modder River show that
he was confronted by the same conditions that
met him after crossing the Orange River On
th0t occasion tho Beers occupied a strong
position at Kailir- Kop a short distance to tho
northeast ~ Belmont station on the rail-
way To- K.nil erley. while on the other
side ~ III" railway, to the north
we-t NJ kanr's kop. the Beers held a
position near tho Gras Pan station Before nd
vancing to the Modder River It became n"ces-
cary for him 10 brush away these obstacles on
either flank which was done in the two actions
ot Nov. ~ and %, So. in the case OF his adj
vance from the Modler River TO Kimberley, he
l. confronted by the strongly fortified and
tenaclou-y held positions Mt Magersfontein
lust inside the Free State border to the north
east. and 10y what is Thought to be an even
stronger position at Spvtfontein crossing tho
railway line northwest OF Magers,on-
tein ten miles from the Modder. while at a
short dIstanc" west from the Merton station.
about five miles from tho Modder. there Is a
strong Boer post. and considerable damage
has been done to the railway near that Point
during the past ten days. Gen. Methuen's Of.
forts. however. to clear the way to the north OF
the hndder have not been ns successful as on
his march from the Orange River. The at
tempt TO repeat on Dec. IL at Mayors.
Iohtein ths success at Kallr's Kop
proved disastrous failure. notwithstanding
his apparent advantage In mum bers and eouip
mrnt over the enemy. a more coherent account
than anything we have had yet of that Affair Ia
necessary before it IN possible to understand
the real cause Of Gen. Methuen's failure tits
put down by some to imperfect accommodating
work and making calculations from tho
nnai tnGu
OF the kopJes, and emitting to ascertain
whether on tho level Of the veldt at their
foot there might not be entanglements and
pitfalls. such as proved to be the case I'm
the way OF the advance TO the assault
OF the heights ut MaRersfonteln There
are others who attribute the want Of
success to discords among Gen. Methuen's
staff and the divided couuscls arising from
them. Whatever the cause the consequences
arc serious. aud they cannot but be- felt for
some time yet In the progress OF the cam
pagn.
Tho kopIes which figure so largely In the
war ar" IN almost every case the sites OF old
native kraals, Tn" native village. surrounded
10y n loose stone wall, would be on the ton of
tn" hill, and the cattle kraa. surrounded bv n
similarly built wall. at the bottom OF IL. Ii ia
tho material Of these walls. more or less
ruined. that have been used by the
Hocrs In the construction OF their breast
works covered In front 10y barbed wire on
Engagements. against which the British ss.
sau.tS Were delivered in vain. 1t Is along Tn.
loot OF the ridges and among the kopjcs such
as described that cover the vcldt between ths
Modder and Kimberley. that the railway and
roal 10y which Gen. Methurn should advance.
run AT some distance. from four to five miles.
apart Until, however. the Beers are drawn
away irom their prc-ont positions by British
OPERATIONS elsewhere. or ten. Methuen i, re-
licNel and So heavily reinforced that he can
push his way through. there Is no prospect
Than hlhher!cy can be relieved.
Ih"r" ar" persistent reports that D.lopoa
bay may h"com" II base OF operations for tba
British against the Transvaal that may or rov
not 'nrh out to be true. The possibility nf
ms however. has been foreseen by the Boers
ana IN" passes 10y which the ra lway and main
ROAD enter the Transvaa! territory from Della.
goa Bay at hoomati Poort and MataIe poor,
hhNe oreh STRONGLY iprtNei '
As an evidence OF the lOoseneHs with ,ybIoh
ine bIltlsh sthH MapS appear Ia he prennrcd
!, Sr'iiS tnht tne map OF G-n, Methuen'a rnu,a
nom ne AolIer River to Kim herIey IssusI
Just Twelve days ago does not snow Hagau'
!phtrln A. all and gives no special nttontirn 70
tht post ohs and general trend OF the Knnia o
scattered over the country. Wv A'i'es