New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-27
NEWS FROM METHUEN AND GATACRE.


BRITISH REST IN SECURITY ON THE MOD
DER-CAPE POLICE OCCUPY DORDRECHT.
London. Dec 26.-The War Office has received
the following dispatch from Cape Town. dated
December %. saying
There is no change in the situation at Modder
River General Methuen is well intrenched, ana
the Beers have not disturbed him ,-o
General Gatacre reports that force OF lou
police have occupied Dordrecht, the Boers re-
treating with no loss.
Modder River, Cape Colony, Dec. 2o-Ihe
British neval guns command the whole Boer
position and possess the exact range or every
stone and bush They frequently plant shells
with good advantage in the midst of groups OF
Beers
The burghers are reported to be returning
home for Christmas.
Recent arrivals from Jacobsdal report that
notwithstanding the Boer successes the Free
staters do not expect ultimate victory. They
complain Of the overbearing conduct Of General
Cronie's men. who are alleged to be better fed
and posted in the safest positions.
The Transyaalers do not conceal their sus-
pjcons Of the possible detection Of the Free
Staters. and threaten to shoot them at the least
sign of wavering.
The Free Staters are declared to regard sub
lection to the Transvaal as more to be reared
than subjection to Great Britain.
London. Dec 27.-The Cape Town correspond
ent Of ''The Daily News" telegraphing Wednes-
day. December 60 says;
Lord Methuen. 1 understand, intends to re-
main at Modder River about three weeks longer; yer;
From Bond sources hitherto singularly well
informed learn that there are 5000 European
officers and men skilled in modern military
tactics particularly artillery, now in pretoria
as a reserve.
A dispatch from Lourenco Marques, dated
Thursday. December 81, gives the following
from the Boer Head Laager. dated Tuesday
December 80:
The British naval guns at Colenso have been
cannonading Buwer Bridge over the luseia
River with a view Of smashing H. .
The bombardment of Ladysmith Is proceeding
slowly General Joubert has arrived mere ana
has been accorded a hearty welcome 90
He addressed the burghers on December 10
More British prisoners have been sent TO Pre-
toria. including Colonel Bullock. Major waters
Major Bailwark, Major Foster, captain i Dlck,
Cantain Nortern. Captain FitZHerbert. captain
Ford Captain Hutchinson, Lieutenant Bonham,
Lieutenant Smythers Lieutenant Thourne' Lieu
tenant O'Conneyghy, Lieutenant kunpaud
Lieutenant Christian. Lieutenant Brigg. Lieu
tenant Birch Lieutenant HalfOrd Lieutenant
Tarbull and Lieutenant Jones.
A dispatch TO The Daily News' from Lady
smith. dated Friday, December II, by hello
graph. says:
with five hundred volunteers. destroyed one
Finch Creusot gun one howitzer and one
Maxim One Brton killed. The Boer gunners
fled
There is an idea in some quarters here that
General Buffers destruction Of the Tugela
bridge heralds an attempt TO cut OF the Beers
now south Of the river, but the general opinion
is that the British will not make any serious
move pending he arrival Of Lord Roberts
The newspapers continue actively discussing
and crticising the management, or, rather mis-
management. Of the campaign. The advent or
horse sickness throws increased attention upon
the question Of transports and the want or
wagons. which may tie the British forces to the
railways "The Daily Chronicle" says;
Plenty OF wagons could be obtained from the
United States but the Government. with very
indiscreet patriotism have refused TO avail
themselves Of the opportunity. 1t would nave
been better If the authorities had folioWed L@0ru @
Kitchener's example at Atbara Brldge' WIZ
they even now apply to the American factories!
"The Times" editorially attacks the admins
tration of the War Office. calling attention to
correspondence disclosing "garing defects and
declaring that the British army is being man
aged for the benefit Of the War Office and not Of
the nation.
DISPATCHES from various points indicate the
steady growth Of Dutch dsaffection The Cape
Town correspondent Of THE Daily Chronicle
reports the discovery Of plot to connive at the
escape OF Boer prisoners. "The Times" advises
stern treatment Of the cisaffected Dutch colon
lists and the enforcement OF the penalties OF
treason against persons and property.
The 10Th Lancers will go to South Africa from
India at the special request OF Lord Roberts
even after the Government had decided that no
more troops should be withdrawn from India.
The War Office has nominated Sir william
Stokes as consulting surgeon TO the South Afrf-
can forces He will leave Dublin for the Cape In
a few days
Lord Somerset writes to THE Times urging
the seizure Of Lourenco Marques and its reten-
tion II necessary until the end OF the war IN
order TO prevent the landing OF war material for
the Beers.
The Government has chartered the Lake Erie
OF the new Elder, Dempster Co. Line which
was built for the Canadian mail service. She is
vessel Of 1900 tons
The recruiting Of the British colonists in Cape
Colony is actively proceeding. Thirty thousand
are already under arms and several thousand
more will be added
Dispatches from Modder River, dated Thurs
day December q. report that intermittent firing
was continuing on both sides although the
Boer shells fell short number OF Free state
burghers had surrendered. There is an uncon-
rarort that Canadian picket WAS cut