The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-05
IT'S A RUDE AWAKENING
HIS ARMY NOT YET ACROSS THE
BOERS BORDER.
THE DUTCH IN CAPE COLONY RISING
These Facts Set the Bull TO Chewing the Cud
Of Bitter R fection. Mtthuen Believed
to Have Reached Kimberley
CrOnie Leaves Camp.

London, December 4-4:30 a. m.-The
week opens without word OF news such
as the British public is so anxiously
awaiting. With larger army in the
field than the country ever before mobi-
Lied, it can only be said that the loss
of $500 men, entailed before the enc
my's borders have been crossed, is
serious matter, and while there is no
feeling of despondency as to the event
ud result of the war, it is regretfully
admitted ON all sides that the strength
of the Boer resistance has been wofully
under-rated.
1t is now seen that the attempt to
hold a useless position at Mafeking
was a serious tactical mistake, as was
also the endeayor to keep the large civil
population in Kimberley
South African news is now six days in
arrears. The censorship does not yet
permit details of the Modder River bat
tie to be transmitted. Some vague
statements have been published in the
Cape Town papers, and according to
those the Beers numbered 5000 men.
and were entrenchCd on both banks Of
the streams, although mostly on the
northern bank The British. accord
to those accounts, drove the enemy
across the river, compelling them to
retreat and established themselves On
both banks.
A dispatch has reached London. an
nouncing that Lord Methuen Is again in
the field.
Serious news comes from the north
cra sections Of Cape Colony, The whole
border district between Colesburg and
Burghersdorp has declared for the
n IL. Ii.
1000 have joined the rebellion. The
farmers have formed a communicating
committee. and talk confidently Of a
triumphant march ON Cape Town. Gen.
Buffers proclamation has been torn
down and trampled upon, and the 10y
alists are hidden to hurry to Cape Town
to prepare coffee for the rebels.
CHAMBERLAIN CRITICISED.
London, Dec. 4.-SIr. Chamberlain's
Leicester speech continues to form the
subject of extended comment here and
abroad, especially in Berlin where, how
ever, the tone is not entirely unfavor-
able.
The Times, in an editorial, which en-
deavors to temper the feeling created by
Mr.. Chamberain's g'admittedly indis-
Greet enthusiasm" says.
Lord Rosebemys criticisms are per-
fectly justified but it would be migrate
full to lose sight of the fact that it is
due very largely to Mr.. Chamberlain'S
personal influence that the improveG
state of feeling, improperly described
as alliance and, perhaps, not altogeth-
er properly even as understanding has
been brought about between Great
Britain and the United States and
Great Britain and Germany 1t is to
be regretted that Mr.. Chamberlain'S
language lent itself to misconstruction.
so provoking acrid remarks in German
and American newspapers. but in the
case of America the tendency to union
and cooperation is not likely to be Sc
riously INSTRUCTED by an excess of sem
sitive apprehension at a possible mean
ing attachable to Mr. Chamberlain's
words
is METHUEN IN KIMBERLEY
London, Dee. 1.-The Evening News
says it learns that "a cable dispatch was
received today from an officer of the
guards saying Gin Kimberley" which. it
is added, may mean that General Me
thuen's vanguard has entered Kimber-
ley.
CRONJE LEAVES HIS I4AAGER.
Cape Town, Thursday. Nov. 30.-The
Cape Times has the following dispatch
from Mafeking:
General Cronje with 100 wagons and
a large body of Beers has left his laa-
ger, practically raising the siege, al
though desultory firing can be heard.