Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-12-16

self.
No mention r. made Of any support
from the infantry, though II II hardly
possible that the batteries would be
sent 90 far forward without some sup
port being provided. The scouting np-
pears once more to have been very In
adequate. Both the number and exact
positions OF the Beers seem TO have
been unknown 60 the British.
II In difficult TO measure the probable
consequence OF these rcvcrrcs. South
ern Natal ia secure. but II does not APP
pear that General Butler can advance
again until reinforced.
Meanwhile the situation OF Ladysmith
Is most perilous. 1t ls not possible that
the news OF the reverse will shade In
any way the grim determination which
now animatcs the British nation to fight
the contest TO a finish. Already the
war office IN taking energetic steps.
In the course OF the next few days n
large body OF troops IL due to arrive
at Capctown. The seventh division rs
TO be modified and an eighth may also
soon receive orders. This II. 20 far as
the United Kingdom Is concerned. the
utmost that can be done with the cx-
ceptlon OF calling out the last reserves
that can be drawn from the garrison
and regular troops.
The moral fibre OF the British empire
II now being tested as II has not been
Crimea.
The London correspondent OF the
Tribune cables.
The war In South Africa IL n popular
one and successive defeats will not
dampen the spirits Of Englishmcn who
are all ready to make any sacrifices In
men and money that may be needed
20 bring the campaign TO a successful
issue.
No war Correspondent with the Brit
lsh forces IN Natal has managed rs
yet to get an independent account OF
the battle through. but detailed de-
scription cannot be long delayed.
The governmc II In certainly acting
with promp,itudc. as II has been an
nounced officially that arrangements
Will be made for the early dispatch OF
the seventh as well as the sixth dlvis-
ion. and for making good the losses sus-
tnlncd by the artillery. IL II feared.
however. that the moral effect on the
Dutch inhabitants Of the Cape Colony
OF Thu latest and greatest defeat sus-
tnined by the British since hostilitles
began VIII be extremely serious. and
II II scarcely TO be doubted that II will
aggravate the difficulties facing the
British army over the whole field OF
operations In South Africa.
The censorship In screwed up TO It's
tlghtcst turn, which In OF itself proof
that the crisis OF the war has come
The news from Kimberley and Mafe-
king II Htlll rcassuring. each garrison
remains In fine fighting form.
The story OF Magersfonteln II retold
every morning by correspondents who
are limited Ia 800 words daily. hut
fresh details do not alter the essential
character OF the rcpulse az n battle lost
through IN amhuscadc In the dark.
Gen. Cronic's official report IL modest.
with the single execution % an cNng-
geraiion OF the british losses to 1000.
But tho Central News and other agen-
Giles, not to be- outdone I'm efforts OF Inn
nglnation. are estimating the Boer loss
o. Mt an equal number.
Some military writer's have repented
their earlier ardor to secure the with
drawal OF Mcthnen's force to the
orange river. and are assuming that
Sir Charles Warren viii take n consid-
cradle portion OF the nth division to