The sun., 1899-12-12
THE sITUA TIOS IN SOUTH AFRICA.

The later reports OF the disaster to Gen
Gatacre's force In Us attempted surprise OF the
Boer position at Storm berg In the early hours
OF Sunday morning make II even more COM
plete than first appeared. II was only saved
from becoming a total rout by the admirable
work Of the field guns that covered tho hur-
ried retreat OF the shattered brigade.
wearied by whole nights marching
and the dlscouragement OF defeat. By his re-
tlrement to Molteno. eleven miles to the south
OF stormberg junction, Gen Gatacre Is In
the same position he was week ago but with
the political situation seriously compromised
owing to his defeat. Whether the waverlng
Dutch will be encouraged by II to follow the
example OF those already with the republican
invading levies remains to be seen. but there
seems a very general apprehension that they
will In which case the interest OF the cam
paign will shift from the front to the base.
Gen. French with his mounted column and
light artillery is reported to have seized
Arundel. about twelve miles north OF Naauw
Poort. on the railway to ColesberR. and thirty
two to Noryas Pont on the Orange River II
is probable that his further advance will de-
pend upon how soon Gen. Gatacre can get his
column into shape again and resume his for
ward movement. According to the descrip-
tions OF the lighting. the Beers holding tho
Stormberg position are numerous and we'll
supplied with guns OF different kinds. but
hardly seem to have appreciated the fulness OF
their opportunity on this occasion.
The Kimberley relief column Is still at tho
Modder River feeling its front and right. but
hos not yet succeeded In getting the Beers to
disclose their strength or position except at
one point, Magersfontein. at the east end oi
the Spyttontein range OF hills. The Boer art-
lery in position at Magersfontein is reported
TO be OF inferior range to the British. but II is
believed they have more powerful guns.
the position OF which they appear un-
willing to unmask by replying to the British
test firing. Their movements generally
seem to create much uncertainty at the head
quarters on the Modder River. they being re-
ported one day In strong force at some point.
and the next as having disappeared. These
are essentially Boer tactics. and will constitute
the difficulty and danger to the British forces
as they move higher up country and lengthen
out their attenuatei line OF communications. 30
long as they can hold Gen Gatacre in the cu-de-
sac below Stormberg junction. they neutralize
Gen. French's operations from Saauw Poort
and throw the whole unsupported stress OF the
campaign on the western column. Stormherg
becomes therefore one the most important
strategic points in the Boer defence OF the line
OF the Orange River: II Is In fact. the hinge on
which the defence in the south hangs.
In Natal everything Ia reported TO be ready
for the advance. but no clear indication Ia yet
given as to where Gen. Butler will deliver
the blow which It Ia anticipated will relieve
Ladysmth and perhaps result In the complete
disintegration OF the Boer army.
The revised official returns OF the British
killed. wounded and mssing. from the open
ing OF the campaign to Nov. ~. places the
number at 3,743. These figures include the
Modder River fght