The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-08

LONDON, December ., a. m.-0en.
Bullsr's arrival at Freere is held to indi-
cate that all the Preparations for an ad-
vance to the relief Of Ladysmith are COM
plete. and that stirring news VIII soon be
received. The fact that Lord Methuen Is
announced as resuming his command at
almost the same moment IL interpreted
in some quarters to mean that battles will
be fought simultaneously In Natal and
Spytfontein. 1t appears doubtful. how
ever, whether Gen. Methuen's force is yet
ready for what will evidently be heavy
encounter.
Methuen Has to Move Camp.
The construction Of the temporary bridge
across Modder river has entailed enormous
labor. and even now the structure is liable
to be washed away should heavy storm
come. Gen. Methuen has been obliged
to move his camp a mile north in conse-
quence Of the unsanitary state of the
stream, due to the presence of the bodies
Of dead Beers. As the railway bridge was
completely destroyed he was compelled
to leave a considerable force to protect his
communications.
Boers Ordered to Reserve Fire.
A special correspondent sends the inter-
esting information regarding Boer tactics
that commandant Gen. Joubert has given
general orders to rsssrye HxD until the
Brttish are within tha close range OF 400
yards. At the Modder river battle the
Free State burghers became nervous,
opened fre prematurely. thus revealing
their position and frustrated the Boer
plans.
Morning Post Pessimistic.
The Morning Post publishes an article
warning the British public that "the dis
illusionmsnt already experienced respect
ing the Boer forces in Natal is likely to be
repeated on the western border"
1t says that men are wanted everywhere.
and asks why the splendid body of naval
marines is now being employed in sweep
ing floors and washing paint in England,
and not sent out to handle the naval guns,
instead Of the hurriedly trained men, un-
familiar with these weapons, who have
gone.
More Cavalry Ordered Out.
The government has decided to dispatch
to South Africa at the earliest possible mo-
ment a cavalry brigade Of about 1000 men.
"Reminiscences of Kruger.
Baron Loeb. former governor of Cape
Colony and British high commissioner for
South Africa, lecturing in London last
evening. related some Of his experiences
with President Kruger. He said the re-
marks of the Transvaal president years ago
showed that he contemplated just the state
of affairs which had now arisen. Mr.. Kru-
ger even expressed desire to have a sea-
port and said the Transvaal hoped to have
navy some day.
The Times, commenting upon Lord
Loch's "reminiscences. says that they prove
up to the hilt the Dutch ambition for
Dutch supremacy in South Africa.
Methuen Resumes Command.
The war office received the following
message from Gen. Forester Walker, Brit
ish commander at Cape Town, Wednesday,
December 6: Gen. Methuen wires today
that he has resumed command and is
nightly in communication with Kimberley.
The health Of the troops is excellent"
Rumors Of a B0er Defeat.
A story was current at Durham December
s to the effect that the Beers made what
is thought to have been their final effort
to capture Ladysmfth, December 4 and
were defeated. The story was brought by
runners and should be received with re-
servation. According to this report the
Beers opened furious bombardment DUR
ing the morning of December 4, and contin-
ued 1t for hours when the British finally
silenced the Boer guns. made sortie and
hard fighting followed, the Beers retreat
ing after very heavy losses. estimated in
hundreds.
Free State Ii Withdrawing.
Tho dispatches from Freire camp partial
ly confirm the retirement of the Free State
burghers from the vicinity of Ladysmish,
but do not indicate that the retreat was the
result of defeat on the previous day. while
the statement in some dispatches that the
Beers were firing into Ladysmith shows the
Boer guns were san active. 1t also pointed
out that all suggestions Of weakening refer
to the Free Staters. The Transvaal Beers
are stin full of fight, although 1t is reiter-
ated they are short Of supplies.
Foreign Officers with the Boers.
According to dispatch from Gen.
Schalkburger's laager. dated December
8. the French and Austrian military at
taciles had arrived there, while German
attaches had gone to join the Boer forces
along the Tugela river, where a collision
was momentarily expected.
Cronjs Beiug Reinforced.
Perhaps an explanation Of the retire