The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-14
Ora w SITUATION IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Fuller details are necessary before q clear
estimate can be made OF the actual result OF
Gen. Methuen's attack on the Boer position at
Magersfontein on Monday. but the British war
ONCE version Of his report shows that no SUI
fered a serious check in the endeavor to clear
his right flank preparatory to continu-
ing hls advance TO Kimberley. The re-
connoIssance OF Saturday. In which the
lyddIte guns played so prominent part
and the firing again on Sunday. seem 10
have conveyed Information to the Beers
OF which they awaited themselv to prepare
for the attack on the Monday, chang
ing the positions Of their gums from
those they occupied on Saturday and Sunday
and skifully dlsposing their rHemen 40 that
when tho British assaulting force arrived
on the scene OF action II was received
with SO heavy Are. while still In
close order. that II was staggered and
driven to shelter The bare statement given
out by tho British War once conveys
no Idea OF the actual disposition OF
the British troops at the close OF the fighting.
but only says that they were intrenchlng on
the ground they occupied after their repulse.
Matters could not long remain In that position.
so early news OF further fighting may be ex-
pected. though II is not likely the Doors Will 50
far depart from their traditional tactics as to
throw away their men on an assault. Tine
aggressive still. therefore. remains with the
British. No estimate OF the British losses were
given. but they are officially said to be great
The sequel to Gen. Gatacre's disaster IL that
the Beers are again In possession OF the rail-
way line to Molteno from Storm berg junction.
and virtually control tho country up to Bush
mans Hook. whore Gen. Gatacre has taken up
his position. which he describes "a impregna-
bic. His headquarters. which were at Putter's
Kraal. south OF Sterkstroom junction. have been
moved up to that point from whore troops
could be more easily moved by rail to the east
ward into the Dordrecht district where the
Beers were in considerable numbers.
Gen. French reports having pushed back the
Boer outposts from Arundel to point about
eight miles TO the north near RendsburR, q
! station on tho railway toward Colesberg.
| These operations. however. are OF minor i'm
portance for the moment in view OF what has
happened to Gen. Gatacre's column on his
right. Should the rising which seems gener-
! ally anticipated In the Cape Colony take place.
| his position would be equally compromised
! with that OF the others. aud he would he re-
duced to the necessity OF abandoning the
aggressive and preserving as far as practicable
/ the communications between De Aar and the
coast by way OF Naauw Poort.
| In q general way the outlook on the Cape
Colony side Is untavorable for the British. At
| the two most important points OF their advance
they have met with disaster aud check:
| and there Is even suspicion that Cen
| Methuen may have TO fall back to the Orange
River and lose all the results OF weeks OF hard
work and three stlf engagements be-
fore meeting with the cheek OF Monday
! His sending his wounded TO the rear 10 a mat-
| ter Of prudence. as they are only an embar-
| rnssment whether he decides to remain for tho
present at the Modler River. or TO drive his
| way through to Kimberley ut all hazatds. In
| the present condition OF politics In Cape Colony
| u retreat to the Orange River might have the
| most serious consequences. and even imperIl
tho existence OF the Government in puwer
In England. already shaken by what
has occurred Tho reported Intention
OF Sir Alfred Miner to dismiss the
schreiner Cabinet and either suspend consti-
tutional government for the time being or
! govern with minority Cabinet has been iorc-
seen for some time The adoption Of either
course would. In the opinion OF leading South
African political men, definitely force a state OF
armed instruction OF the whole Dutch popu-
lation against British rule. The arrests OF
students and others believed to be intending TO
Join the Beers is q significant incident in q
British Colony.
The news from Natal indicates early lighting.
but not before Gen. Butler has mad" such
! preparations as he deems will insure his not
falling into the same di nculties as his subordi-
mates in the south and west. The outbreak OF
enteric fever in L.adysmith shows the urgency
OF speedy relief.
The latest news represents Gen. Methuen as
| having fallen back to the Modier River Camp
where he describes himself as being Ia perfect
security. His wounded left on the field were.
he states. being treated by the Beers with the
greatest Kindness.