The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-23

crisis Farewell to Queen Victoria,
special Cdb, Despateh TO Tar SON
LONDON. Dec. 22.-The War ONCE publishes
.Ii.t OF seven killed and fourteen wounded.
reported from Pietermaritzburg. In an engage
ment not previously reported. The fight oc-
cured on Dec. IL. There were also three
deaths from enteric fever.
The casualties wero oil among regiments
that are known TO be with Gen. White.
indicating either that another sortie was made
nv the Iadysmith garrison or that the
po.rs have succeeded In making their bonn
bardment Of the town much more effective
than II was when the last accounts were re-
eeived This Is the only hint OF any action In
tho whole theatre VI the war far week
past.
The Standards Chlcveley correspondent. In a
Ssenatch dated Dec. ~. gives the most def
MITE news yet received OF Gen. Buffers lost guns.
After describing how the batteries reached
their too advanced position and remained there
an hour and a half under hail OF shells
and bullets until their ammunition was
gone and the casualties prevented ef-
fcIent serving OF the guns. the corre-
ppondent says: Then as there were no signs
Of the much needed ammunition column.
,hs column doubled back to donga In the
tected from the enemys fire. but exposed
N the burning eun. Col. Bullock. with
two companies OF Devonshires and
a few Scots Fusilies. managed to
fe,cb the donea in support. but 1t was impos-
s,ble TO do anything in face OF the terrible con-
csn,rated fire that was brought to bear on
them"
Thu correspondent then relates Sconeld's
and Roberts, recovery OF some OF the guns.
and continues: AT late hour In the after
noon. while the men were lying with
ont homo O, succor in the blazing sun.
n strong party OF Beers crossed the
river Firing was stopped and they sur
rounded the guns. which had been taken to
the donga for shelter. and captured ali OF
them. Col. Bullock at first refused to surren-
dor. hut was told that on the first
sign Of resistance he and his men
would DO shot down. Nevertheless. most OF
rho rank and hle managed to escape in the
confusion. A majority OF the artillerymen
ware either killed. wounded or taken prison
ers."
Nothing new has been received from Modder
River. but accounts OF the fight at Magersfon-
TEN continue to reveal the amazing strength
oithe cuemy's position. which. IL is now gen.
orally adm tted. is absolutely unassailable by
direct assault. There. as at Tugela River.
British bravery was as completely thrown
away as arrows would DO against
q cannon proof fort. The trenches
at Magerstontein are likened to under
ground dwellings. They are very deep and
vide and are casemated at intervals. admitting
the concentration OF the defenders at any
point without danger to themselves. The
front trench is always commanded BY others
nearby.
The latest advices show that the Boers
are continuing to increase their trenches
and are drawing line around the
north Of the British camp from the
Modder River to the Riet River. with
the inevitable result that II Gen.
Methuen wishes to turn his position he must
move to the south bank OF the river. and
again force his passage elsewhere to the north
bank.
Gen. Warren. who II was lately reported.
had gone to Join Gen. Methuen. has now. 1t Is
stated in cape Town. sailed eastward. but
his actual movements are yet successfully
screened.
Cardinal Vaughan. Archbishop OF westmin-
ster. has issued somewhat remarkable
pastoral to the clergy OF this diocese.
The document Is noteworthy for its
strong pro-British sentiment. which Ia
the exact antithesls OF the utterances
OF the Osserrdtorp Romano and other news
papers supposed to be influenced by the Vati-
can The Cardinal enjoins public and united
supplcations for our army and the speedy sue
cess OF the British arms" He continues:
Whatever doubt was entertained OF the
law!uness Of enforcing the British demands
BY recourse TO the sword. there cannot
be any doubt now that we have been
forced into war and that Justice Is on
our side. 1t is now question
Of somsthlnG more than what il the lawful
course. II Is, shall tho British Empire be
allowed to fall to pieces by supineness. by
want Of determination and self-denial'
The answer IL no. This Empire
has been appraised by the same
Providence that called the Roman Empire into
existence. and as God used one toward the at
tanment Of divine purposes and mercy 80
does He seem to be using the other"
The Cardinal proceeds to describe the mis-
sion Of the Empire as being peace. liberty and
PREPARING the way for Christianity. and ad-
nonishes TO humility and repentance while
sndeavorng worthily to fuInl this mission.
The Queen babe farewell to Gen. Lord Rob-
erts at Windsor to-day.
The Foreign once has issued q notice to the
effect that information has been received which
shows what II not generally known, that trad
hg WITH the enemy is unlawful. itwarns Brit
ish subjects ami foreigners in british terri
tory not to supply any wares to other Republic
The TmfS's correspondent at Modder Rive
say IN 4 despatch dated Dec. IL: surgeon
Major BurtChcll, who was captured by thu
Foers at Magersfontein because he possessed
Isy".yer. was released to-day from Jacobsdal
he reports thar Commandant Van der Nerve
treated him well. He was sent to ia
c9bsdal. where Commnndant Cronje inter
S viewed him, The British prlsSners Ser
hospitals Burtche was released through tn
the direct intervention Of Commandment Steyn
VINO consulted with the German doctors as Z
case
The landdrost at Jacobsdal wrote to Gen
Methuen saying he hoped Burtchell'
unfortunate arrest would not moon
Snenlence the wounded. Beers to
Burtch" that their chief anxiet
was 10 recover their ambulanoAs which wer
IN our hands. These have since been restored.