The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-12

Treacher0us and Led to . TroDs
LONDON. Dec. IL, $40 a, m.-No further
news has been received to remove the mys-
terry overhanging Gen. Gatacre's retreat
from Stormberg. He has not yet forward
ed the promised additional message, and
the censorship has prevented the corre-
spondents from explaining the matter.
While 1t appears to be generally admitted
that Gen. Gatacre is inclined to overwcrk
his men, Lord Durham's remarks are con-
sidered as In rather bad taste. Until Gen.
Gatacre has given his explanations It is
felt that considerable allowance must be
made for the extreme difflculty of getting
intelligence in country whose inhabitants
are in strong sympathy with the enemy.
stormberg strong Position.
Stormberg Is described as q stronger po-
sition than Laingsnek. The only road
winds through lofty hills. and thanking is
impossible. Colesburg is also said TO be
an almost impregnable position. and as
no troops are available to reinforce the
columns acting in those directions. It be-
comes evident that Gen. Gatacre's mis-
fortune or error will delay the invasion of
the Free State perhaps some weeks. 1t is
exceedingly probable that he will be COM
PEELED to retire on Queenstown and to
wait for reinforcements, which can hard
ly reach him until Sir Charles Warren's
division arrives at the Cape. The first de-
tachments will sail Saturday next. Even
II Gen. French Ia. mot compelled to re-
treat he will be obliged to pause in his adj
vance.
Another Division to ne Sent.
1t now seems certain that the seventh
division. which is being mobilised at Alder
shot. win also be sent to South Africa.
British Losses to Date.
No news has yet been received confirm
ing the Boer report of the capture Of fifty
prisoners at Modder river from Lord Me-
thuen's column. 1t is just two months since
the Transvaal ultimatum was delivered.
Nine engagements have been fought. and
the British have lost 5ss killed. 2.027 wound
ed and 1877 missing or prisoners.
Cutting Down Soldiers Pay.
The war office has issued notice that
after January deduction will be made
from the pay Of soldiers serving In South
Africa-in the case of privates 4 pence per
day for wives. l penny for each child; In
the case of sergeants pence for wives and
pence for each child. These sums have
thus far been paid by the government. The
order indicates the belief that the CAM
paisn. will be a long one.
Boers Repair Bridge.
1t is announced from Cape Town that the
Beers have succeeded in repairing the
Leeuwfontein bridge between Stornberg
and Burghersdorp, which the British de-
stroyed on retiring.
scotchman I'm Command.
Commandant Swanepot. who commanded
the forces at Stormberg, has been replaced
by a Scotchman named Robertson.
Artillery Saved Gatacre.
Later details regarding the disaster to
Gen, Gatacres column show that but for
the magnificent work Of the British artil-
lery the disaster would have been far more
extensive, as the incessant Boer fire in the
midst of the repulsed infantry ultimately
led to disorder. which only escaped de-
veioping into rout through the batteries
of artillery occupying successive positions.
covering the retreat, thus drawing por-
tion of the Beers CALLING fire.
British Were Entrnpped.
Apparently the British were set an inn
possible task, and were treacherousiy guild
ed. After a trying march, and being un-
der arms sixteen hours, they attacked the
wrong part of the Boer position, where the
hill was impregnable and the bughers were
estimated to number G,000 men instead Of
900, as the spies had reported. There Is
little in the story to mitigate the intense
humiliation caused by an episode which
was almost an exact counterpart Of the
battle of Nicholsons mex.
War Omec BesicEed.
The war office was besieged by anxious
relatives and successive editions Of news
papers were eagerly scanned. Men and
women are equally persistent on pleading
for information. but the authorities either
do not possess any or are not prepared to
publish 1t at present
Eject Is Depressing.
The affair has caused a most depressing
influence everywhere, not excepting on the
stock exchange, where consols were at
the lowest price in many years. and South
African securities slumped. not so much
on account of the military reverse. which
Is retrievab!e, but owing 10 a profound ap-
prehension as to its political effect No
great surprise would now be felt Il Gata-
cre's reverse resulted in Cape Colony be-
coming afame from end to end. After
noon papers. like the morning papers, with
hold the apportioumeut Of blame until thnv