Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-12-14


the honors OF the day with the Scots
The batteries worked for hours under
a CALLING rifle fire.
According to the Boer stories, 1t was
impossible for the burghers TO have
escaped fearful loss. one Boer prison
err said a single lyddte shell Killed or
wounded over 10. and that two others
burst over two bodies OF Beers en-
sconced behind the range, doing fearful
damage.
All agree that the Beers fought
throughout with the utmost gallantry.
Their sharpshooters seldom missed the
mark
A seaforth Highlander says that
while he was lying wounded on the
field he saw a Boer OF typical German
appearance, faultlessly dressed with
polished top boots, a shirt with SIX
rufiles, and cigar In his mouth, walk
Ing among the ant hills, picking on the
British. He was quite alone and II was
apparent from the frequent use he made
OF field glasses, that he was singing
out officers.
Another wounded Boer says that a
lyddite shell. fired on Sunday, fell In
the midst OF an open air prayer meet
ing held to offer suppllcations for the
success OF the Boer arms.
All the wounded are full OF praise for
the treatment they received from the
medical department on the battlefield.
London, Dec. 14.-While the outward
calm attitude Of the press and people
here during the present crisis com
mands admiration, there Is an under
current OF intense indignation against
the war Office and the government,
which threatens TO have serious addi-
ton In the blunders OF the generals
and the further evidences Of the break
down OF the transport and intelligence
departments which are daily coming
to light.
II was freely predicted this morning,
even In high military circles, that the
South African campaign VIII last until
June.
II is also expected that General Me-
thuen will have 10 retire south OF the
Orange river, as II is claimed he could
not hold out longer at the Modder riv-
er. where his ammunition and food
supplies were not expected to last over
a week.
In fact. II was said that his line Of
communication was probably already
cut, and II was claimed that Gen. Cat
acre was similarly weakened by his
reverse and the revolt Of the colonists
and Il was added that he might nave
TO choose between a siege and re-
treat.
The scenes at the war Office this
morning when Gen. Methuen's casual
ties were posted were highly dramatic.
There was steady incursion OF anx-
ious inquirers from the moment the
doors opened, and there was intense
excitement when an official appeared
bearing the ominously long list OF
names. The women present crowded
eagerly forward and begged for copies
Of the list. but the supply was not sufil-
cient and the official read out the lists
Intense feeling was evident on all
the faces. Some Of the women were so
overcome that they had TO be assisted
from the room.
The afternoon papers OF all shades
OF politics follow the morning papers
in facing the situation courageously
and demanding the immediate dispatch
Of reinforcements.
Thus the radical Star says THE
stake the gambler, Chamberlain, has
thrown upon the table Is not merely
South Africa, but the empire. II Is too
late to regret the game. We have no
choice but TO play II, even II II In
wolves sending abroad the militia. Our
armies In South Africa must be amply
reinforced"
The Globe says. THE country Is
prepared for any sacrifice. In the fam
Gus words OF General Sheridan, all
must now 90 in.
The 81. James Gazette says: When
we have retrieved our defeats and have
restored the supremacy OF our flag, we
can criticize and Investigate. Today we
must act"
Continuing. the ST. James Gazette
urges the government 10 take the White
Star line steamships from the Oceanic
down. and send another corps TO South
Africa
The Westminster Gazette. a liberal
newspaper, which has actively opposed
the war. says: we are bound to carry
the campaign TO a successful issue
and adds:
The reckoning with the government
will come later on
The war office this evening made the
following announcement;
THE sixth division has been mobil-
ICED and four battallons OF this division