The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-17


though nothing had happened
All the troops returned to camp. There
were no casualties. Gen. Methuen direct
ed the operations from horseback. His
wound Ia almost we'll He intends to con-
duct operations from here to the north
ward. The camp Is fortified and forms
naturally an excellent base
AlmOst Panic In LOndOn.
Al might have been expected. the des-
perats state Of the British arns In South
Africa, n revealed by the defeat Of Butler
at Tugela river, where at one stroke he
lost treble the number of guns yelling
ton Left In the hands Of Napoleon during
six yeaxs' fighting in the peninsula. while
adding 10 the determination OF the authori-
ties to send everv available man to the
front. caused something in the nature Of
o nomentary panic among the public
which was reflected on the stock exchange.
It is long since the tone Of newspapers
ana comment in clubs and other resorts
has bean 70 chastened and pessmistic.
Some of the comments 90 so far az to
say the crisis Is so far-reaching that Great
Britain stands where she stood over
century back. when the American colon
lists. men Of British or Dutch blood. were
In arms
Dittcr Determination to Win.
A. the day proceeded attacks Of nervous
ness disappeared. and the only permanent
effect Of the serious news was to cause
tfxhter clenching Of fists and more set
determination to achieve the task the
country has undertaken.
Troops vehemently Cheered.
Departing troops were more vehemently
cheered than usual and the troops them
selves displayed even a much greater de-
sire to reach the front. There was little
excitemsnt at the war office. but orders
were being issued in all directions for a
rnohtltxatf0n Of the reserves and militia.
The latter viii replace the regulars In
garrison duties.
T. en~sn 0reatly Concerned.
ousen tsetofia Has greatly concerned
~ tne latest reverses. The commanders
in-chief. f1r6 Wolseiey. was at windsor
castle when the news arrived. and he
took special train back to London.
Rear Admiral Lord Charles Beresford
this morning confirmed the Associated
Press announcement of his appointment
to be second In command OF the British
Mediterranean feet. He has informed
his constituents that this necessitates his
resignation of his seat in the house of
commons. He has represented York
city In the Conservative interest.
Badcn-Powell Humorous.
PRETORIA. Dec. 13.--Advices from
Mafeking say an attack on small Brit
ish fort has been made with good results
The fort was demolished. Heavy cannon
firing is proceeding. Col. Baden-Powell
has sent the Beers notice advising them
to lay down their arms and return to
their homes. promising protection as soon
as Great Britain has taken over the
Transvaal.
Beers Captured Much Loot.
PRETORIA, Dec. 15.-An official dis
patch from Modder river says: The Beers
captured great quantity of loot, includ-
ing 200 Lee-Metfords, cases of cartridges
and hundreds of bayonets. Great numbers
OF British have retired in the direction OF
Belmont. The loss Of the British was very
great. There were heaps Of head on the
field The wounded are being attended to
temporarily at Bissels farm. The sappers
and miners must have suffered severely.
The Beers suffered heavy losses IN horses.
I cannot otherwise describe the battlefield
than as a sad and terrible slaughter. Mon
day was for US a brilliant victory. 1t has
infused new spirit in our men, and viii
enable them to achieve greater deeds.
Revised List Of Casualties.
LONDON. Dec. 1s.-Revised list Of Brit
ish casualties at the battle Of Magers-
fontein shows the total to be 963, of which
number seventy were officers.
Garrison Doing Good Work. !.
CAPE TOWN, Dec. 16.-Advices from
Buluwayo say that dispatch from
Mafeking. dated December g. announced
that the scheme of advancing the military
works was acting well and had forced the
Beers to evacuate the strong commanding
fortificat.on northeast OF the town. 1t
was added that the British continued
pushing back the Beers and were then
working toward their main siege batter
ies The British casualties were tr!fiing.
TIE Boer force was then reduced to about
1900 men with four field guns and some
siege guns.
Delighted with Bulier's Reverse.
BERLIN, Dec. 1s.-The German press
and people are jubilant over the news from
South Africa and everywhere In the
streets people greet each other and offer
congratulations. Among the press COM
ments tonight is that of the Kreuz Zei-
tung. which says:
1--WE in Germany do not wish England
to get off cheaply. The more they are
humbled in the Boer war and the more
completely their power in South Africa
is broken the better for U.s."
Look for Capitulation of Ladysmith.
VIENNA, Dec. 16.--Gen. Buffers reverse
was the subject Of almost universal COM
ment - Austrian press today. Most
Of ths incline to the assumption
engaf vi and in the situation
at Il ~ they conclude that
III axs AaS