Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-12-16
horses before he could exrIcate him

horses before he could extrlcate him
self.
No mention Is made OF any support
from the infantry, though II Is hardly
possible that the batteries would be
sent so far forward without some sup
port being provided. The scouting ap-
pears once more 10 have been very in
adequate. Both the number and exact
positions OF the Beers seem 10 have
been unknown 20 the British
IL Is difficult TO measure the probable
consequence Of these reverses. South
ern Natal Is secure, but II does not APP
pear that General Butler can advance
again until reinforced.
Meanwhile the situation Of Ladysmth
Is most peri!ous. II Is not possible that
the news Of the reverse will shade In
any way the grim determination which
now anlmates the British nation 10 fight
the contest 10 finish. Already the
war office Is taking energetic steps
In the course Of the next few days a
large body Of troops Is due 10 arrive
az Capetown. The seventh division Is
10 be modified and an eighth may also
soon receive orders. This Is, so far as
the United Kingdom is concerned, the
utmost that can be done with the ex-
ception Of calling out the last reserves
that can be drawn from the garrison
and regular troops.
The moral fibre OF the British empire
Is now being tested as II has not been
since the Indian mutiny and the
Crimea.
The London correspondent Of the
Tribune cables.
The war In South Africa is a popular
one and successive defeats will not
dampen the spirits Of Engllshmen who
are all ready to make any sacrifices In
men and money that may be needed
20 bring the campaign 10 a successful
issue
No war correspondent with the Brit
ish forces In Natal has managed as
yet to get an independent account Of
the battle through, but a detailed de-
scription cannot be long delayed.
The government Is certainly acting
with promptltude, as It has been an
nOunced officially that arrangements
will be made for the early dispatch OF
the seventh as well as the sixth divls-
ion, and for making good the losses sus-
tanned by the artillery. IL Is feared
however that the moral effect on the
Dutch inhabitants OF the Cape Colony
OF thi- latest and greatest defeat sus-
tanned by the British since hostilties
began Will be extremely serious and
1t Is scarcely TO be doubted that Il will
aggravate the difficulties facing the
British army over the whole field Of
operations In South Africa.
The censorship is screwed up TO It's
tightest turn, which is Of itself proof
that the crisis Of the war has come.
The news from Kimberley and Mafe-
king is still reassuring, each garrison
remains in fine fighting form.
The story Of Magersfonteln is retold
every morning by correspondents who
are limited to 800 words daily. But
fresh details do not alter the essential
character Of the repulse as a battle lost
through an ambuscade in the dark.
Gen. Cronie's official report Is modest,
with the single exception Of an exag-
geration OF the British losses to 1000.
But the Central News and other agen-
cies, not TO be outdone I'm efforts OF i'm
agination, are estimating the Boer loss
es at an equal number.
Some military writer's have repented
their earlier ardor 10 secure the with
drawal OF Methuen's force to the
Orange river. and are assuming that
Sir Charles Warren will take a consid-
cradle portion Of the fifth division to