The evening times., 1899-11-30
Modder's River and Ladysmith.


What little we are able to gather con-
! corning Lord Methuen's battle at Modder
River, does not tend 10 show that he was
able to deliver such blow as would make
easy his farther progress toward Kimberley.
From his brief reports TO headquarters it
is assumed that the British losses in the
engagement must have been terribly
severe. despatch from Cape Town. just
in, indicates that they may reach one thou
sand killed and wounded. Although
not so definitely stated, it suffi-
| ciently appears that General Cronje
occupied a strong position on the high
| north bank Of the river, now in flood, thus
being protected from bayonet charges in
front, ard from Ranking movements He
was entranched, well supplied with
artillery. and had plenty of thickets along
the water front 10 cover his sharpshooters.
Methuen reports that he dislodged the
Beers after zen hours struggle, the
blOcdiest in British military history.
Whether or not he was able 10 cross the
river remains in doubt. but probably ne was
if Cronie retreated, as BrigaGier General
Pole-Carew did move over. assisted by three
hundred sappers. A pontoon bridge was,
therefore, probably completed. Just at
Noider River there is some more or less
| open country which is unsuited to Boer
tactics. II is quite likely that Cronje would
| rot care 10 contest it. but would fall back
10 Spyticulein, where conditions are more
10 his taste. ard where. indeed the de-
fensive possibilities promise another awful
! day for Methuen should he give battle at
that point.
As usual we must premise anything We
! have to say with the remark that if we
could know all the facts and circumstances
Of Methuens situation, it might appear
differently 10 us to what it does II is
significant that he has sent an urgent call
for re-enforcements. and some have been
already forwarded. On the basis
Of what little knowledge we have. we
can only infer that the Modder River fight
was indecisive and that the real contest
fer the open door to Kimberley is to follow.
Methuen may continue his shoulder hitting
tactics and move straight ahead CT the rail-
way line. in which case he must cf course.
fight at Syptfontein. or he may avoid that
death trap and make the turning movement
by Jacobsdal which we have thought not
improbable. In either event unless he has
inflicted loss and damage on CTonje. equiv
alent to that which he has sustained him
self, his immediate prospects would seem
10 present rather ugly appearance.
Supposing Cronie's main reliance for The
defeat of the relieving column to be Il bat
tie to be given at Syptfontein on ground
of his own choosing. and prepared for the |
purpose, his tactics in making the fight at |
the river would seem to repeat those of |
battle of Nashville Thomas, strongly for |
titled at the Tennessee capital, knew that |
Hood was marching in force from the south |
to attack him. He did net cheese to let |
Hocd move upon his works fresh and with |
full ammunition chests. and with his whole !
army undaunted and confident CT victory. !
So Thomas moved out and met Hood at |
Franklin, twenty miles south of Nashville |
and there allowed his antagonist to batter |
himself weak, lose n lot of men. become |
embarrassed with wounded, and so on. !
Then Thomas retired TO within his fortified |
lines and awaited an attack, the result OF |
which Is remembered by all Americans The |
two cases may not be parallel, but they |
seem to be so in some degree at this writ |
ing. If the British have suffered as greatly |
as seems TO be believed, they have not in |
creased their ability to carry a stronger |
position than any they have yet assailed, |
nd OH eba tI,o
strike at SpytfOntein irrespective of its !
defensibility and dangers, the good general |
ship of Crcnje, in compelling them to wear
themselves out at Modder River, would |
seem to be evident. 1t is quite apparent |
that sad if not bad news from Methuen is |
anticipated by the British public, and per-
haps by the authorities
1t is anything but safe to indulge in
theories or predictions as to the state of |
der of Ladysmith which started from Hol-
land yesterday is being today persistentIy |
reiterated there and in other parts of Eu-
rope. All one can say is that it possibly |
may be true; but that could have been said |
with equal propriety on any day since the
fight at Elandslaagte. We think one thing
may be reasonably assumed, and that is
that Sir George White. unless completely
cleaned cut Of ammunitioA, and otherwise
weakened, would not capitulate with Hid
yards guns almost within hearing. without
a desperate effort to cut his way out
probably by Dewdrop on the south.
Important movements of some kind are
under way in Natal, and the censorship is
inexorable. Butler and Clery are up to
something serious. There are now about
eighteen thousand men at their command,
of which HiIdyard approximately has ten
thousand With the remainder it is natural
for us to expect that Clery will attempt
flanking movement or a diversion. On the
mere evidence Of the war maps one would
look for movement TO get in touch with
Ladysmith or the Dewdrop side, where the
investment has been believed to be less
strong and complete and the country more
omen than 0n Tho cast norfh md west |