The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-12-04
SOUTH AFRICA
IS STILL SILENT
The Week Opens Without a
Word Of News.
LORN METHUEN OUT AGAIN
Beers 9 E'g Many Recruits
Cape Colony
BUTLES S ORDERS TRAMPLED ON
InVf ,tadt Alone More Than 1000
HaveJ oined the Rebellion-Talki
Confidently of a Triumphant
March on Capetown.

London, December 4-4:30 a. m.-The
week opens without word of news such
as the British public is so anxiously await
ing. With larger army in the field than
the country ever before modified, 1T can
only be said that the loss of $500 men en-
tailed before the enemy's borders have been
crossed is a serious matter, and while there
is feeling of dependency as to the
eventual result of the war, 1t is regretfully
admitted ON all sides that the strength OF
the Boer resistance has been woefully un-
derrated.
1T is now seen that the attempt to hold
a useless position at Mafeklng was ser-
Gus tactical mistake, as was also the en-
deavor to keep the large civil population
in Kimberley.
Perhaps the brightest spot for English
readers today is the announcement that
President Mckinley has designated the son
of Secretary Hay to succeed Mr.. McCrum
in Pretoria. The Daily Telegraph says:
This appointment Is graceful conces-
sion on the pant of the United States gov
eminent to British feeling. Our country
mems interest will be safe In the hands of
the new consul"
News Six Days Behind
South African news Is now six days in
arrears. The censorship does not yet per-
init details of the Modder river battle to be
transmitted Some vague statements have
been published in the Capetown papers,
and according to these the Beers numbered
5000 men and were entrenched on both
banks Of the stream, although mostly on
the northern bank The British, according
to the accounts, drove the enemy across
the river, compelling them to retreat and
established themselves on both banks.
These Details however, are too meager to
enable an accurate idea of the engagement
to be formed.
A dispatch has reached London an
nouncing that Lord Methuen is again in
the field, and it is also said that Count
Glechen, who was wounded In the fight
ing at Modder river, was struck by a bull
let in the neck.
Serious news comes from the northern
sections of Cape Colony. The whole bor-
der district between Colesburg and Burg
hersdorp has declared for the Beers. In
Venterstadt alone more than 1900 have
Joined the rebellion. The farmers have
formed a communicating committee and
talk confidently of a triumphant march
on Capetown. General Buffers proclama-
ton has been torn down and trampled up
on and the loyalists are bidden to hurry to
Capetown TO prepare coffee for the rebels
Change In Commanders
The official list shows that a modification
has been made in the command of the
Sixth division. Instead of lieutenant gem
eral, Sir Charles Mansfield-C1arke, the
commander, will be major-general Thomas
Kelly-Kenny, inspector general If auxil-
larry forces, and recruiting with Major Gen.
eral Knox and Major General Clements
as brigadier generals. General Kelly-Kenny
has had no South African experience.
With regard to Natal, 1t is still doubtful
whether the bridge over the Tugela river
at Colenso has been destroyed. There is q
report that the British drove the Beers off
while attempting to destroy it, but the
probability Is that the structure was
mined and fired afterward.
According to dispatches from Pitters-
kraal, dated Tuesday, November 2S. the
Beers were then attempting to turn move
ments from Strlnsburg and the district
north of storkstorm in cooperation with
the rebels, by way of harrisburg Tar
kastad against General Gatacre's column.
The wreck of the troopship Ismore may
result in the loss of $50 horses.