Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-12-08
English Adyices Say TrausvaaIers
and Free Skaters Disagree
GREAT BATTLES IMPENDING
British I'm No Hurry-GeD' wethuen
Heavily British Great
~ Outnumber the Beers Now.

New York. Dec. s "A dispatch to the
Herald from London gives the follow
Ing advlces from Modder river:
It is reported that serious dissensions
have broken out In the Bocr camp be-
tween the Transvaalers and the Free
staters. Gen. Cronje insists upon put
ting Transvaal officers In command Of
the Free state forces, aud says that
the latter will not fight
a Trustworthy native who escaped
from the Beers states that he drove his
master, Andrew Cronje, and Head Com
mandant Vessels away In a cart after
the battle Of Modder river, They quar-
relied all through the journey Vessels
severely blamed the Transyaalers for
not coming to the assistance Of the
Free Staters.
Jacobsdahl Is reported to be fun Of
Free Staters who are returning nome
because they don't like the way Inc
English are shooting.
A dispatch to the Tribune from Lon
don dated Dec. ), says.
Two great battles are impending pc
fore Ladysmith and Kimberley ana the
hotspurs are impatient 20 have them
come one leading English journal, I'M
pressed with the conviction That the SIT
uation of Whites army is critical, dep
recates delay and we'll nigh raises
cry OF ION TO Ladysmlth." II has also
published evidence Of large reinforce,
ments which Gen, Cronje has received
from Natal and Mafeklng 20 enable
him TO make a strong stand at spyt-
fonteln.
The war office, having allowed Gen.
Butler a free hand, Is content 10
leave the campaign In his hands ana
devote lis energies 20 the rapid DIS
patch OF the fifth and sixth divisions
and TO arranging the details OF the
mobilization Of the seventh.
Military men outside Of that office
do not share the uneasy feeling OF the
Times that the garrisons are in a criti-
cal condition. and that the difficulties
of The situation either on the Tugela
or beyond the Modder are increased by
the lnaction Of the British forces. They
assert that both Generals Methuen ana
Glory. being in searchlight communica-
ton with the beleaguered garrisons,
know what is going on ana precisely
how urgent IS the need OF relief. They
also maintain that the Dutch forces
have less to gain by delay than the
British, since concentration OF forces
is going on in both camps ana the re-
serves OF artillery and cavalry are
more important advantage for the Two
relief columns than the strengthening
Of the defences Of Colenso and Spyt-
fonteln is for the enemy.
The situation, when Viewed compre-
hensively at midnight, was distinctly
favorable TO the British side and there
was no apparent reason for hurrylng'
much less rushing, the campaign. Gen
Methuen, on resuming command on
Wednesday, had an additional brigade
OF infantry, another regiment OF IAN
GERS and an increased force OF artillery.
as well as cavalry. He was In much
better position for using the bayonet
and hammering the enemys works
with an artillery fire and maneuvefing
with cavalry, These were ample com
pensations for the delay In mending the
bridge, and II Gen. Cronte had been
reinforced the Dutch allies were weaker
in Natal and Mafeking was safer IN
consequence OF the concentration OF
their commands around Kimberley.
The details Of two sortles by keke-
wich's garrison furnished by the war
office. Reuter-, and special correspon-
dents proved how well II was able 10
protect itself. Taking advantage of the
weakening Of the besieging forces by
the Withdrawals for the defense Of
Modder river, Kekewich's men at
tackled. first the enemy's center and
then, right afterward. his right flank,
captured a laager and four redoubts,
and destroyed a large quantity Of MILL
tary stores and foodstuffs. II was a
timely and brilliant stroke for which
the garrison deserved Kekewich's
thanks IN a general order.
There has been vigorous entrenching
at Spytfonteln. but General Cronje viii
be In danger OF having his retreat east
ward TO Jacobsdal cut of when Lord
Methuen advances 10 the attack.
Methuens force is now estimated TO be
fully 1900.
The gravest feature OF the situation
In Natal is the marked improvement In
the artillery practice Of the Boer bat
teries around Ladysmith. While the
naval gun had Knocked out a big Creu-
sot and a howitzers. two more siege
guns had been brought up, and, accord
Ing 20 Times dispatches. three Creusots,
four big howltzers, two batteries Of
long range field guns and other heavy
ordnance were working steadily. The
ratlons, moreover, had been reduced all
around In the garrison.
Gen. Butler not only knows these
facts, but has provided so strong a re-