The record-union., 1899-12-09

Communication Behind General
Methuen.
PRETORIA, Wednesday, Dec. g.
Fighting commenced near Modder River
at 6 O'Clock this morning.
LONDON, Dec. S.-(6:52 p. m.)-The
War Office has just issued the follow
ing:
mo further news has arrived from
General Methuen to-day, but the fol
- wing has been received from Orange
River station:
"a railroad culvert was blown ur
near Gras Pan this morning. The tele-
graph was also cut. The guides report
heavy firing of guns toward the
north"
The foregoing implies that the Beers
have cut the line of communication be-
hind General Methuen, who, apparent
ly is fighting.
Later-The following advices have
been received from General Methuen
forces at Modder River, under date OF
Tuesday, December 9th:
Beers are seen daily passing between
Spytfontein and Jacobsdal laagers
They frequently fire on patrols. The
mounted infantry received a severe nre
while patrolling six miles toward the
north. There were no casualties. An
hours cannon fire has been heard al
Kimberley"
PRETORIA, Thursday, Dec. THE
following dispatch, dated to-day, has
been received from the head laager neal
Ladysmith:
THE British are advancing on Co
lenso, but last night passed without ar
attack. There was desultory cannon
ade this morning, the naval guns In
Ladysmith replying vigorously 70 III
fire.
LADYSMITH, Thursday, Dec. T.
(Via Weenan)-The total British cas-
ualties here since November 1st are five
officers and twenty-six men killed, ano
fifteen officers and 40 men wounded
with three missing.
The Boer force is still around us ir
large numbers, but all within the towr
are well and cheerful.
LONDON, Dec. 9.-(4:30 a. MILFORD
Methuens restoration of the railway
while relieving a load of anxiety here
accentuates the dangers still threaten
ing his force 1t is gathered from the
brief official dispatch that Commandant
Prinz Loos' contingent was taken be-
tween forces acting from Belmont and
southwark from Modder River. 1t is
quite possible, however, that reinforce
ments were sent to Belmont merely as
a precautionary measure.
There is little other news of import
ance. Reports continue to come from
Ladysmith that dssension exists
among the Beers. and especially thai
the Orange Free State troops are dis
contented.
There are also all kinds of move
ments of commands from place t.
place, but the fact is that little is
known here regarding the actual posi-
rumors of a collapse of Boer spirits
have been so often heard as not te
cause much satisfaction now.
SITUATION ON THE WESTERN
FRONTIER.
LONDON, Dec. 9.-General Forester.
Walker sent the following dispatch a
8 o'clock last (Friday) evening to the
War Office from Cape Town:
Telegraph and railway communica
ton to Modder River has been reopened
A battery of field artillery and bat
talon of infantry We're dispatched from
Modder River against Commandan
Prinz Loos' force of 1000 Beers, witt
one gun, who had destroyed the rail
way Our losses were fourteen il
wounded
Belmont has been strengthened By
infantry and two guns, and cavalry
regiment and troops from Naauwpoor
occupied Arundel Thursday.
THE enemy's forces near Genera
Gatacre are reported as follows: A
Dordrecht 500, marching from James
town to Dordrecht 700, with six guns
at Stormberg 1,500, at Waterfall large
force. strength under Molteno abou
400
Lord Methuep reports casualties De.
cember 9Th on patrol duty as follows
missing: Lieutenant Triestam ant
four men of the Twelfth Lancers
wounded, four men,"
Some interesting light is thrown OF
the position of affairs along the west
ern frontier by a dispatch issued by 6
Boer agency last evening in Berlin
The dispatch says.
commandment Prinz Loos' force j!
near Jacobsdahl. between Moddel
River and Riet River. General Cronj'
is still on the north bank of Moddel
River, his rear being protected by forti
fed positions at Spytfontein- The hills
between Modder River and Spytfonteil
and those between Jacobsdahl and RE
River are occupied by Beers. Com
mandapt Delarey's force is stationed
between Gras Pan and Honeynes
kloof.''
If this Berlin dispatch be correct
and it is especially significant wher
Judged in connection with Forestiers
Walkers advices to the War Office
there must be some $4,000 Beers aroun.
Lord Methuen. who is believed to hav'
11.OOO men. Kimberley. however, pos
sessing an armored train. will assis