The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-14

remarkable talent for taking cover which
the Beers always display they were, gener-
ally speaking. virtually invisible. and al
though the enemy's artillery was practical
ly silenced his rife fire was so persistent
and concentrated, as well as usually well
aimed. that it was absolutely impossible
for the British infantry to take the position
by assault at the first advance of the
Highlanders the Beers shooting. probably
owing TO the darkness, was somewhat high.
Otherwise the British losses would have
been still heavier.
The special correspondent Of the Daily
Mail at Modder river. describing the fight
ing, says: THE Boer trenches extended
far beyond the kopje to the open plain.
Those on the plain were hidden by screens
of leaves. Those near the kopje were
guarded by double line of barbed wire.
Evidently they feared our storming and
bayonet attack. We raked the kopje and
trenches with an intense, well-directed fire
of thirty guns, including a naval gun and
a howitzer battery. both using lyddite. L
believe they effected severe damage. The
Boer prisoners report that one lyddite she'll
fell among forty men, only five OF whom
escaped unhurt. Other shells burst in the
enemy's laager. causing its complete de-
struction. The Beers are in still larger
force than we found them at Modder river,
outnumbering us by almost three to one.
The Transvaalers are apparently dominat-
ing in their military councils. although in a
minority.
All the papers comment upon the extreme
gravity of the situation and upon the mo-
rl Nath hos m
make-wbether to remain at Modder river
or TO retire on Orange river. The Times
says: cat least 10000 additional men must
be sent out. The entire available reserve
must be called up and the militia and vol
unteers turned to account Efforts must be
made to increase the local colonial forces,
and further offers of troops from Canada
and other colonies must be sought and ac-
cepted."
The Standard. which comments upon the
seemingly astonishing numbers of the
Boers," is driven to the conjecture that a
substantial portion of the Boer commandos
has been recruited from the Cape Dutch.
The news had a bad effect on the Stock
Exchange yesterday. where there was a
general relapse. Kaffirs and Rand mines
dropped 21s points and De Beers dropped
q. The exchange closed grave and anxious
There was considerable nervousness as to
the outcome of the settlement and there
were rumors Of further failures. Consols
were weak and Kafirs were more de-
pressed than at any time during the pres
ent year.
There was little excitement noticeable at
the War Office. but at the clubs and hotels
there was considerable gloom and forebod-
ings that the brief announcement that over
three hundred wounded had arrived at
Orange river. indicated that General
Methuen's losses were the most severe yet
reported.
There are renewed reports of a Cabinet
crisis at Cape Town, where it is said that
Governor Miner is about to act, in conse-
quence OF disclosures involving the Min
istrys loyalty
The White Star line steamer Majestic
sailed from Liverpool yesterday for South
Africa, with two thousand troops op board.
The White Star steamer Cymric has been
chartered for use as transport.