The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1899-12-14
FIGHTS AWAIT STRATEGYBANK OF HAWAII. It'd
FEW CONFLICTS SINCE MoDDER
RIVER.
Butler Getting Troops into Position to
Execute His General Plan of Cam
paign-South African Situation.

NEW YORK, Dec. IA cable to the
Sun from Pretoria via Lourenzo Mar
quez, December 2, says: All was quiet
at Kimberly yesterday. Cronje reports
that the engagement commenced at 6
o'clock in the morning and lasted till
o'clock in the evening, when the Bril-
tish retired fully defeated. The num-
Der of Beers killed and wounded was
small
General Methuen reports that the
Boer losses more than equalled his own
From Natal comes word that the
Beers have retired from Weenen,
southeast of Colense. 1t looks as if a
part of Sir Francis Clery's division had
been detached to make a wide detour
on the east of Frere Station. The first
result of such movement will be to
drive any outlying force of Beers across
the Blauwakrass River. Its subse-
quent object would be to menace the
enemys position at Colenso from the
east.
General Butler must now have avail
able for operation for forcing Tugela
River nearly $4,000 men. 1t must not
necessarily be assumed that all will
be concentrated at Colenso, General
Butler may attempt what Methuen said
was impossible for him, to out flank
the enemy. He will feint at many
places, but the actual point at which
finds the enemy the least strong. This
would account for the extreme secrecy
observed as to movements of the Bri-
fish troops. Far more depends on the
passage of Tugela River than depended
on that of Modder River.
General Joubert is reported to have
strengthened both his right and left
TANKS in the preparation for tactics
like these, but it by no means follows
that he would be able to Illustrate
them. The Boer position on the Tugela
has been made exceedingly strong as
against any front attack, while the
character of the country in this region
largely help Joubert's dispositions. The
Beers are reported to be in very great
numbers at Groblers Kloof and else
where around Colenso.
From the British point of view it is
hoped that the Beers will stand and
await attack in given position. Should
they spread themselves in mobile bodies
for two miles along the course of the
Tugela the result would be something
like guerrilla warfare.
The delay which has occurred in the
British advance can not only be eX-
planned by General Buffers desire to
get up an overwhelming number of
battries, but also by carefully planned
and extensive movements whereby the
Beers position at Colenso can be ST.
simultaneously attacked from the north
south, east and west.
An uncomfirmed report says that
General Butler began his advance on
Thursday. 1t hardly seems probable
| that the bridge at Frere had been sui
| ficiently repaired on that date.
The Beers are said to be confident of
capturing Ladysmith unless their lines
| can be turned. The conflict will be a
most desperate one and will task Bull
| ler's resources.
General Methuen, it is reported, re-
sumes his advance toward Kimberly
| today in personal command of his
column, from which it is clear that his
wound is only a slight one. His delay
more ammunition and concentrating
large supplies for Kimberly, which is
in great straits for food.
The whereabouts of the Boer forces is
| uncertain 1t would appear that they
are not at SpyfOntein, which is so neal
| Modder River that it is certain to be
under observation. The probable line
of retreat and one which it was said 6
portion of the defeated Beers followed
would be toward Jacobsdahl, on the
road to Bloemfontein, where the forces
from Belmont and Gras Pan are likely
| to have rallied. Jacobsdahl lies neal
enough to the British flank to cause
| some anxiety.
1t is reported that fighting has taker
nlace at Arundel between Genera
French's force which is advancing from
NaauwpOOrt, and Free State comman
dos.