The record-union., 1899-12-11
Have Yet Sustained In the Whole Cam
paIgn.
Bad Aspect Of the Affair II the
Effect It Is Likely to Have on
the Dutch In Cape Colony, Who
Have Been Wavering, and
Hosts Of Northern Farmers Are
Now Likely to Join With the
Beers.

LONDON, Dec. IL, 4:45 a. MT Is
hardly too much to regard General Cat
acres repulse near Stormberg as the
most serious defeat British arms have
yet sustained in the whole campaign.
Already the official advices show that
two men were killed, nine officers and
seventeen men wounded and nine Off
GERS and 500 men are missing. But 1t
is evident that the worst is not yet
known. The proportion of wounded
and killed is so small when compared
with the missing-who are undoubtedly
prisoners in the hands of the Beers
that the supplementary list of casual
ties Is awaited with serious misgivings.
1t is also feared that there were Sc
rious losses of guns and equipment.
The most serious aspect of the affair
is the effect it is likely to have on the
Dutch in Cape Colony, who have been
wavering as to whether to throw their
lot with the Beers. Hosts of the
northern farmers are now likely to
join the rebellion. Defeat is also Sc
rious because it will delay the juno
ton CT General Gatacre and General
French at Naauwpoort. The plan was
for their combined forces to relieve the
pressure on Lord Methuen's column.
The disclosure of such strong force
at Stormberg was quite unexpected.
Doubtless General Gatacre was the vic
tim Of treacherous guides. But the
result points also to the absence Of
proper cavalry scouting.
The British troops who recently oc-
cupled Arundel are advancing. They
had several skirmishes but no casual
ties. Three miles north Of Arundel
they found the Beers 5000 strong.
The Pretoria reports Of renewed fight
ing at Modder River originated from
the fact that the British team of thir-
ty-two oxen hauled a naval gun to
the top of high ridge north of Mod
der River town, whence they fired lyd-
dite shells on the Boer position at a
range OF $500 yards, where the enemy
was apparently constructing an en-
placement for P-pounders. The 1yd-
dite shells appeared to do ln.rrense
damage. The Beers retired, but the in
cident is interesting as showing that
the Beers are still in position quite
close to Modder River.
The engineers report that it would
take two months to rebuild the iron
DrlOge. LOTO MeCQuen Is Sllll COmpell-
ed to ride about in a dog cart, as his
wound prevents him going on horse
back. Should the rains destroy the
temporary bridge, there is still enough
rolling stock on the north side of the
river to serve Lord Methuen's purpose
1t is reported that the Beers are busy
making entertainments at Spytfontein.
Several tiers of works are beginning to
appear at the foot of the nights. The
force fred on by the naval gun is be-
Heved to form the right wing of the en-
emy's main body, thrown forward for
patrolling and scouting purposes 1t
Is reported that the bad water at Spyt-
fontein threatens an epidemic of ty-
phoid.
Kimberley reports all quiet there up
to December 9Th, and that the pres
sure of the investment is diminished
A dispatch from Cape Town to the
Daily Mail" dated Thursday, Deem
Der 18th, says:
News that Chiefs Khama. Linchwe,
Bathoen and Secheli, with their people
in Bechuanaland. have risen to attack
the Beers, seriously complexities the
situation. 1t is probable that the Ba-
sutos and other tribes will follow their
example.