Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-12-16
News Causes q Momentary Panic
Among the Public and Officials
Later Details.
Comment at the Clubs and in the
Press Of the Most Pessimistic
Character.
Eleven Valuable Pieces of Artillery
Abandoned to Beers War Office
Redoubles Efforts.

Abandoned to Beers War Office
Redoubles Efforts.
London. Dec. ia hastily sum
moned cabinet meeting assembled
this afternoon for the purpose of
dealing with the war crisis.
Secretary of Colonies Chamber
lain was not present.
London, Dec. 16.-As might have been
expected, the desperate state of British
arms in South Africa, as revealed by
the defeat of Butler at Tugela river,
where, at one stroke, he lost treble the
number of guns Wellington left in the
hands of Napoleon during six years of
fighting in the peninsula, while adding
to the determination of the authorities
to send every available man to the
front, caused something in the nature
of a monetary panic among the public,
which was reflected on the stock ex-
change
1t islong since the tone of the news
papers and comment in the clubs and.
other resorts has been so chIstened and
pessimistic. Some comments go so far
as to say that the crisis is so far reach
she stood over century back, when
the American colonists. men of British
and Dutch blood, We're in arms"
Today is a holy day with the Beers.
1t is known as Dingaan Verslagen day,
and the Beers devoutly believe that
Whatever fate the Lord metes out to
them today is a certain omen of the
ultimate result. The day celebrates
one of the earliest victories of the Beers
over their enemies, and it was brill
liant one. 1t was sixty-one years ago
that force numbering barely 464
Boers. under Andt.ies Pretorius, gave
battle to the Zulu chief at Dingaan and
defeated his force of 1900 savages
completely. From this day the Beers
We're never really defeated. The day
has been elaborately celebrated as the
United States Fourth of July every
year since.
Hence it will be surprising if Gen.
Joubert does not lead a victorious army
to Ladysmith today and attempt its
capture, that the national omen of
eventual victory over the British may
come true.
Sir Redvers Buffers report of his de-
feat is concise and manly. He starts
with the words, II regret to report a
serious reverse" Then he relates the
story in a straightforward manner He
Gays nothing about stampeded mules or
misinformation from guides. So far as
the general result is concerned he
blames no one Col. Long, In command
of the captured batteries, undoubtedly
made serious biunder. yet Sir Red
sers Butler does not chide. He merely
lntimates that Long was overzealous.
Gen. Butler has been preparing for
ihis move almostSsa month. When he
decided to divide the REtish army into
.hree columns A,fe considered the relief
II Ladysmith the most serious task of
me three and elected to accomplish il
himself. He worked quietly and care
fully. and not until the report of his re-
rerse was received did even the war Of
tce know what his plans We're.
No doubt the attack was we'll thought
)ut. but the Beers with their almost
magical spy system, knew everything
md We're alert. To their preparedness
vas added a powerful ally in the Tu-
yela river. which sometimes is badly
lwollen The combination defeated
Buller's plans from beginning to end.
BULLER's MEN REFUSED.
official story of the Defeat and LOSS
O. British Guns at Tugeln River.
London, Dec. 16-The war office has
received 4 dispatch announcing that
verse. losing ten guns captured and one
destroyed by shell fire Gen. Butler was
attempting to cross the Tugela river
Finding 1t impossible TO effect his OBJ
lect. he ordered a retreat in order to
lvoid greater losses He left eleven
runs behind.
The Tugeia river crosses just north
II Colenso on the railroad leading to
I4adysmith and only about ten miles
from that town. The bridges have been
destroyed. Ladysmith is invested by
,he Beers and Butler has been endeav-
sring for some time to reach the city
Ind relieve the garrison. The severe
sepulSep WHICH lie mas Illel TtiiutIS Ills
!urther advance impossible and places
the British garrison at Ladysmith in a
precarious situation.
3ULLER'S OFFICIAL DISPATCH.
The following is the text of Gen. Bull
ers dispatch announcing his reverse:
Butler to Lansdowne: Chieveley
Camp, Dec. 10. $40 p. MI regret To
report serious reverse. ] moved in
full strength from our camp near
Chieveley at o'clock this morning.
There are two fordable places in the
Tugela river, and it was my intention
to force a passage through at one of
them. They are about two miles apart.
my intention was to force one or the
other with one brigade. Gen. Hart was
to attack the left drift. Gen. Hildyard
the right road. and Gen. Lyttleton was
20 take the center and to support
eithsr. Early In the day I saw that