Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-12-14
SPIES WERE TREACHER0US
Gatacre'S Defeat Almost a Counterpart
Of The Battle of NiChoISOn'S Mex.
THE BRITISH LED INTO A TRAP
Attacked the Wrong Part of
the Boer Position.
THE ARTILLERY PREVENTED A Rou1

THE ARTILLERY PREVENTED A ROuT
London, Eng, Dec. 11.--Later de-
tails regarding the disaster to Gen.
Gatacre's column SHOW that but for the
magnificent work u the British aitil-
lery the disaster weuld have been far
more extensive. as the incessant Boer
shell fire in the midst Of the lepulsed
infantry ultimately led TO disorder,
which only escaped developing into a
rout through the batteries of artillery,
occupying successive positions, cover
ing the retreat, thus drawing portion
of the Beers calling fire. Apparently,
the British were set an impossible task,
and were treacherously guided. After
a trying march, and being under arms
16 hours, they attacked the wrong part
of the Boer position, where the hill was
impregnable, and the burghers were
estimated to number G,000 men, in
stead of $500 men, as the spies had re-
ported. There is little in the story to
mitigate the intense humiliation occa-
stoned by the episode, which was almost
an exact counterpart Of the battle Of
Nicholson's Mex.
The War Office was hesieged this
morning with anxious relatives, and the
successive editions of the newspapers
were eagerly scanned. Men and women
were equally persistent in pleading for
information, but the authorities either
did not possess any or were not pre-
pared 10 publish it.
ifhe saaii csuseu Inc mos tlacresSiug
effect everywhere, not eScepiing ms
Stock Exchange, wnere consols we're AT
the lowest price in many years, and
South African securities sumped, not
SO much on account of the military re-
verse, which is retrievable, but owing
to the profound apprehension as to its
political effect. No greater depression
would now be felt if Gen. Gatacre's re-
verse resulted in Care Colony becoming
aflame from end to end.
The afternoon Newspapers, like the
| morning papers, withhold the appor-
tionment Of blame until they ale fur
ther acquainted with the facts, and take
the reverse philosophically. The Pail
Mall Gazette remarks: ''The country's
calm will again surprise the continent.
Ii the blow is more serious than it ap-
pears, neither the clown nor the min
istry will be in danger of even single
seditious yillifying howl in the street,
I We have confidence in those who are
lighting for us, and in their directors. y
ANXIETY IN LONDON.
London. Eng, Dec.12. The almost
complete absence Of news from the
theatre of war, up to 30 O'Clock this
afternoon, increases public anxiety, SC
deeply stirrad by Saturdays disaster.
| Such scanty messages whirh have
I dribbled through seem to indicate tnat
! ~ euaraiions are about Gumplated tor
simultansous attacks at rugela River
and Modder River the dispatches
showing that the British and Beers
were in touch in both directions yes
teIday. There is no confirmation Of the
report of another day long battle along
! tho Modder River yesterday, but
possibly there has been a,resumption ci
| fighting, as reported by Ger. Cronie
last evening, AZ the searching lyddite
shell fire of Sunday was probably pre-
liminary to an advance.
| 4 strang 20 item of news has reached
here, from Buer sources, announcing
! thatthe WaschbHrk bi idge is damaged.
| This is taken in some quarters rs a
possible confirmation of the suggestion
that the British have made a wide
sweep by way of Helpmakar, and are
preparing TO take the Beers north Of
Ladysmith in the rear.
A message from Naauwpoort, dated
| yesterday, shows that Gen. French has
apparently no inclination to Withdraw
his advance troops from Arundel. in
consequence of Gen. Gatacre's defeat.
Gen. French reports thar his artillery,
yesterday, forced an advance post oi
| the Beers south of Colesburg to eyacn-
ate its position, and seek refuge behind
1 Vaalkop.
T There is great indignation in Great
Britain mt the Ignorance the British
intelligence department is displaying
in estimating the Boer strength in Cape
Colony. Exports aver that 15,0n0 Boers
| wilEhave to be driven out Of the colony
before the passage of the Orange River
can be commenced.
| The RhodesIan force advancing tc
the relief of Mafeking reached Gabe-
rones Fort December I'd, and found the
Beers had evacuated the place. The
Rhodesipns are repairing tho railroad
as they advance. The latest news from
Mafeking shows that Col. Baden Powell
has been forced to reduce the rations
of the garrison and Inhabitants but
water is plentiful there.
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