The record-union., 1899-11-28
Causes a Cessation Of War News
From South Africa
Just at a Moment When Interesting DevsI-
opments Were Locked For.

SourAdA announcing mat the
Naval Brigade Lost One Hum
dred Men, and That the British
Lancers Were Captured.
LONDON, Nov. %, 4:3O a. ma
fresh interruption in the East African
cable service at this interesting mo-
ment has caused a cessation of war
news. AS yet the War Ofsce has not
received Lord Methuen's list Of casual
ties, nor is any Information at hand re-
garding the whereabo bouts OF the Ninth
Lancers, who went in pursuit Of the
Beers from Gras Pan.
The Daily Mall says that pri-
vate telegram announces that the
Lancers are still scouting ahead of
Methuens advancing column, but as he
announced yesterday that he was Civ
ing his men a days rest, this is hardly
possible. Indeed, the greatest anxiety
is felt, and more especially in view Of
the fact that a Berlin journal, the
"Deutchswart, which regularly prints
Boer communications, announced yes
terday, before it could have been as
certained from British sources, that the
naval brigade lost 100 men at Gras
Pan. and that the Ninth Lancers were
captured.
1t is understood that the Government
decided to proceed Immediately with
the mobilization and embarkation of a
division of 10000 men, under a we'll
known Lieutenant General
General Hildyard's achievement at
Beacon Hill is beginning to be realized
as one of the best things the campaign
has vet shown, as it has relieved the
tension of the situation in Natal, and
has brought the relief of Ladysmith
within measurable distance General
Butler appears to be confident of Lord
Methuens ability, and is devoting all
his energy to Ladysmith.
An attempt will be made, presumably,
to reach Colenso in time to cut off the
retreat of the Beers from Weenan over
the Tugela River. 1t is feared, how
ever. that the enemy will get there
first, and destroy the bridge. At
F'reer Bridge the British found two
massive spans utterly wrecked by dy-
Mantle. one piece weighing 224 pounds
having bear hurled 200 yards.
Sir Alfred Miner has warned the
various relief committees in Cape Town
to be prepared for the arrival of 10000
refugees from Kimberley as soon as the
siege has been raised.
According to a dispatch from De Aar.
dated Sunday, the Beers had destroyed
the bridge at Steinsburg the previous
day, and were being reinforced at that
point.
BATTLE AT BELMONT FIRST
REAL BRITISH VICTORY.
LONDON, Nov. 27-None too soon
for the British has come the news of
the improved outlook for them on both
the British and western sides of the
South Africa River, as the constant
small reverseS We're causing keen re-
sentiment against the authorities here
This was evidenced by the results of
the WandSWorth election to the Lon
don County Council on Saturday, when
the previous Conservative plurality of
80 was converted into aLiberal plural
ity of 30, the Conservatives having
made the war an issue and their can
didate being a military officer
To General Methuen, it appears. be-
longs the honor of the first real British
victory of the present war, as Belmont
was the first battle after which the
British advanced instead of retreated
The fact that General Methuen was
forced to fight a second pitched battle
near the scene of the first shows that
the Beers were demoralized at Bel
mont, but quickly rallied and with un-
abated courage met the splendid as
a,11f of Rrif ich L. =
Gras Pan. The excellent military quail
tiles displayed by the Beers in these
two fights We're no doubt partially de-
rived from the training of Command
ant Albrecht, former officer of the
Austrian army.
Presumably General Methuen has
already resumed his march northward
He was, when last heard from. still
nearly fifty miles from Kimberley, and
doubtless an action will have to be
fought at Modder River before '.Dia-
mondopoliS" is relieved There is some
doubt as to what is meant in the state
ment that the Beers are falling back
on Warrenton, which is fifty miles
north of Kimberley, unless the dis
patch was intended to fall into Brit
ish hands in the hope of misleading
General Methuen. The latter however,
is said to be far too cautious to be
caught by such a trick, and it is add
ed, it can be confidently admitted that
his column will sweep steadily forward
in spite of the determined resistance
he will meet with
The conclusion must be accepted,
however reluctantly, that the Beers
are deliberate in their misuse of the
white flags. On top of General
Methuen's warning and other evidence,
comes the statement of Correspondent
knight, who has arrived at Cape Town
wounded. He says he accompanied a
detachment of the Northampton Regi-
ment, when a force of Beers 300 yards
distant, and surrounded, displayed a
white flag. The officer commanding
the Northamptons then ordered his
men to rise, when the Beers deliberate
ly volleyed, wounding knight and
others.
The commander-in-c chief at the Cape
has sent the Admiralty an additional
list of casualties among the British
naval brigade engaged at the battle of
Gras Pan. as follows: Midshipman
Huddart of the cruiser Doris and ten
z.:,,,. nd ~, riy,oe billed go %l,r+oo.