The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-16

Information came too late to reach the
service clubs, and only few journalists
and stragglers We're waiting at the war
office. 1t had hardly been realized until
now even after the experience of the week
that General Butler could fall.
Virtually. nothing has been allowed to
leak through regarding his preparations,
but the public waited patiently in the
confident belief that he was taking such
time and precautions as would assure
success
No independent reports of the engage
ment have yet been allowed to come
through, but General Buffers own dis
patch tells the sad tale in sufficient out
line to show that the British have been
entrapped again by the astute Beers. 1t
was not anticipated that General Butler
would make front attack. No criticism
Of his movements are made, however,
since apparently he suffered a repulse
rather than defeat, and did not push tho
attack home, but broke it off in the mid
die so as to save a useless sacrifice of
life.
1t is expected that he will renew tho
attack shortly Immediately on receiving
the news the war Office decided to mobil-
ize still another division, and to replace
the losses Of artillery. The necessary re-
Inducements will be hurried off as speed
lily as possible.
Cape Town between Dec. II and Jan. s..
| with about 5000 troops of all arms, but
unless General Butler is able to renew
the attack, which is exceedingly doubt
full, the British generals will be compell-
ed for another fortnight or more to re-
main on the defensive.
The latest dispatches indicate the con-
tinued bombardment of Ladysmth, whose
position is now perilous.
Major General Sir Herbert Charles
Chormside has been appointed to COM
mand the 14th brigade in the 7th divi-
sion.
The list of casualties among the non
commissioned officers and men in the fight
at Magersfontein. just issued. shows IS
killed. 253 wounded (21 severely and 76
missing. This however, is apparently
not complete list
at Cronje's Report.
Pretoria, Tuesday, Dec 12.-The follow
ing official announcement has been made:
General Cronje reports that yesterday
there was desultory fighting till 6 when
the heavy cannon fire was renewed.
1.-THE Scandinavians stormed a difficult
position. but it became untenable, and
they suffered severely. I was unable to
send help. The British were in over
whelming force, but must have had at
least 1000 men put out of action, either
IN Killed or wounded.
Another official report from Captain
Finnhart says:
There We're no signs of surrender the
burghers fighting with conspicuous BRAY
cry ana maintaining their positions under
heavy British fire. Our cannon were of
very little use. The British were greatly
assisted by balloons. Twenty-four am
balances were working backward and
forward between the fighting line and the
enemy's camp. Our loss is not definitely
known. I estimate it at 100 killed and
wounded
A telegraph operator at Modder river
wires:
"Guns and Maxim firing has been pro-
ceeding since $50 this morning. AT 1C
| cannonading was proceeding, and at
| fighting was reported to be very severe.
| The Boer force along the river bank was
being heavily attacked and is receiving
assistance from other Boer forces"