New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-11
NCHOLSON.S Mex OVER AGAIN.
GATACRE'S SIGNAL. DEFEAT AT STORM
BERG-TlIE SITUATION AS SEEN
IN LONDON
LEY cAELE no TIE rEIRrNEl

London, Dec. H. l a. m.-The British forces
In South Africa have met with signal defeat.
This sensational news was officially announced
from the War Office at midnight, General Cat
acre admitting that he had met with a serious
reverse in an attack Yesterday morning on
Strombere. in Northern Cape Colony. The
British General says nc was misIed by guides
as to the Boer position ana found Impractical
bic ground" Apparently he was caught in an
ambush. as his casualties as at present known
are alarming The numbers Of killed and
wounded cannot be considered excessive in the
Circumstances but the enormous numbers re-
ported missing suggest that the engagement
must not have been unlike that Of Nicholson's
Mex when General White lost so heavily.
So far as known at present eight British Off
GERS are wounded and nine missing; two men
killed seventeen wounded and go missing
Presumably all the missing men are prisoners
General Gatacre does not state whether he has
lost any guns or ammunition. and further in
tenigence on this point Will now be anXiousy
awaited
WAR RUMORS FILL LONDON.
Reuters Pretoria dispatch that Methuen had
attacked the Dutch position at Spytfontein on
Saturday was feebly echoed by a Central News
bulletin from Cape Town, and London newsboys
were enabled 10 ply their trade throughout the
day with the minimum capital Of four lines.
stating that the Beers were making further at
tempts to break communications below Mod
Ter River and that terrible battle was raging.
The War Office was silent hour after hour, al
though besieged by swarms Of inquirers. The
hewsbOys We're shouting Victory! in the streets
during the evening on the strength OF cape
Town rumors Of serious hghting at KimbeIley
and the repulse Of the Beers with heavy loss
'he only fresh detail being the suspicious setting
Daek Of the battle from Saturday to Friday
"hen previous dispatches had reported Me-
u'uens army as haltng quietly at Modder
River.
Ihe opinion commonly expressed at the clubs
"aS mat either a fresh sOrtie by Kekewich
O0ps or reconnaissance in force had been
e4'sgerated by the rumor-mongers into the mag
'''00e OF pitched battle. Although the croak-
persisted in expressing fear lest Lofd
-1'Nuehs communication had been cut again
c '"1 lhe War Office left without tidings OF any
e''u irom the western border later information
nun Inc Central News pointed 10 reconnols-
'"Nce IN force on Saturday morning, with eX-
F''"Hental practice upon the enemys Dosltlon
"''N 4ydnlte shells from a naval gun at as
'ai'Ce " four miles as the probable explanation
- 'he runoTs Of battles. But the uncertainty
u the situation has not been dispelled by OH
cial bulletins
General French's outposts are beyond Arun-
uel and there has been skirmishing in the direc-
uon Of Colesberg
General Methuen's army is known 10 have
oeeh heavily reinforced at Modder River with
mldhtIy, cavalry and artillery, while General
"auchope's Highland Brigade has largely in
creased the number Of bayOnets available for
frontal attacks The necessity for this costly
method Of warfare has been obYiated by the
presence Of a full brigade of cavalry commanded