New-York tribune., 1899-12-11
A BRITISH DISASTER.
Continued from first page.

r,oinder of the column III was SUM iouhu' now
.,,or that this position also was covered by
-. Gums which were more powerful than had
, sunnosed. The troops therefore sought
-o.er nosition about half a mile away two bat
..r,os in the mean time engaging the Beers
ord covering the troops in their withdrawal.
Tho action now became general at long range
- detachment of mounted infantry moved
edward with view of getting on the enemys
.,cnt flank Suddenly strong commando was
.n moving from the north. and the Royal
&c, Rifles and the Northumberland Regiment
were sent out to meet 1t.
,orR MACHINE GUNS WELL PLACED
:. was soon discovered however, that the
p,.rs had machine guns well placed. and the
r-,tsh were compelled 10 face terrible fire.
FINDING It impossible to hold the position in
,.os n an enemy apparently superior in po-
s,,ion. numbers and artillery. the British re-
,,red on Molteno the Beers following up the
-4,jrement closely and bringing two big guns
70 bear on the retiring column.
Il is believed here that the British casualties
were not serious
London. Dec 1.-THE Times" publishes the
following dispatch from Molteno:
General Gatacre attempted to assault the Boer
,,osition al Stormberg al dawn to-day Sunday.
The guides led us wrong, and we were surprised
while in fours and after trying night march.
Onr retirement was effected in excellent order.
there being hurry even at the most critical
time The Northumberands and Irish Rifles
behaved as If on review day. / fear our losses
are heavy. one Of our guns we had to abandon.
The War Office has received the following
dispatch from Cape Town. dated Saturday
night:
trct last night was the following: At Stormberg
six laagers at Dordrecht. 500 men: twenty
three miles south of Sterkstrom. 900 men,
Major Elliott reports that Dalgetty. with a
force has gone toward Dordrecht to cooperate
with Gatacre.
The railway bridge at Modder River was COM
pleted December Z. Methuen reports that he
made a demonstration up the line Of the railway
al daylight to-day with artillery The enemy
did not respond. Methuen is receiving the
mainder Of his renforcements and supplies He
has established detached posts on his lines Of
communication.
Mafeking reports all we'll on November so
1t is hardly too much TO regard General Cat
serious defeat British arms have yet sustained
In the whole campaign. Already the official ad-
vices show that two men were killed nine
officers and seventeen men were wounded and
nine officers and five hundred and ninety-six
men are missing. But il is evident that the
worst is not vet known. The proportion OF
wounded and killed is so small when compared
with the missing-who are undoubtedly prison
IN he hau ~ he ba
mentary list of casualties is awaited with
serious misgivings
II is also feared that there were serious losses
Of guns and equipment
The most serious aspect OF the affair is the
effect il is likely 20 have on the Dutch in Cape
Colony who have been waverins as to whether
or not TO throw in their lot with the Beers
Hosts Of the northern farmers are now likely to
soih the rebellion The defeat is also serious re-
cause 1t will delay the junction OF General
Gatacre with General French at Naauwpoort
The plan was for their combined forces to re-
heve the pressure on Lord Methuen's column
The disclosure Of such a strong force at Storm
berg was quite unexpected Doubtless General
Gatacre was the victim Of treacherous guides
but the result points also to the absence Of
proper cavalry scouting.
The British troops who recently occupied
Arundel are advancing. They have had several
skirmishes. but no casualties Three miles north
Of Arundel they found the Beers two thousand
strong.
The Pretoria reports OF renewed fighting at
Modder River originated from the fact that the
British. with team Of thsrty-two oxen hauled
a naval gun TO the top Of a high ridge north
Of Modder River town, whence they fired lyddite
Shells.
The lyddte shells were fired on the Boer posi-
tion at a range of g. 700 yards where the enemy
was apparently constructing an emplacement
for 40-pounder The lyddite shells appeared
to do immense damage. The Beers retired. but
the incident is interesting, as showing that they
are stn in position quite close to Modder River
The engineers report that it would take two
months to rebuild the iron bridge. Lord Me-
thuen is still compelled to ride about in a dog
cart. as his wound prevents him going on horse
back. Should the rains destroy the temporary
bridge. there is enough rolling stock on the
north side Of the river TO serve Lord Methuen's
purpose
II is reported that the Beers are busy making
at Spytfontein. Several tiers Of
works are beginning TO appear at the foot Of the
heights. The force fired on by the British naval
gun is believed TO form the right wing Of the
enemys main body. thrown forward for patrol
ing and scouting purposes. 1t is reported that
'he bad water at Spytfontein threatens
epidemic Of typhoid.
Kimberley reports all quiet there up to De-
cemoer 1, and tnat the pressure of the invest
ment is diminished
Two shallow draught river gunboats are be-
ing prepared at Chatham for service in South
africa Each will carry two 6-pounders quick
nrers' and four Maxims.
CANADIAN TROOPS AT THE FRONT.
orange River. Dec. 9.-Half the men of the
Cshaaian contingent have gone forward. Like
."s Australian contingent. hey have been put
- sun work since tlieir arrival, and have been