The Topeka state journal., 1899-12-08
FIGHTING
RESUMED.
Reports From Africa Indicate
That a Battle
Is Probably In Progress Near
MOdder River.
METHUEN'S ADVANCE
On the New Position Of the
BOer Army
May Turn Out to Be Only a
Reconnaissance.
METHUEN'S ADVANCE

HGoCOHU dASSduCOs
London. Dec. S.-WhiIe nothing in the
latest message from camp at Modder
river indicated an immediate advance,
it appears that Pretoria, has news that
fighting was resumed Wednesday. It
is not shown whether Gen. Methuen
has advanced on the new position ta-
ken up by the Beers or has merely en-
gagged in reconnaissance in force. Re
ports were again current at Orange
river Tuesday, December 5, that Mafe-
king has been relieved 1t is known
through dispatches from 1Iagalapye
that preparations We're completed there
to advance in force November 10, from
RhOdesla, for the purpose of repairing
the railroad line and restoring COM
municatiOn with Col. Baden-POweu.Th
Beers however, were strongly entrench-
ed near GaberOnes, midway between
Madalpye and Mafeking.
Reinforcements are rapidly arriving
at SterkstrOOm, to strengthen General
Gatacre including the much needed ar
tilery. The authorities expect speedy
news that Gen. Gatacre has taken the
offensive, thus diVerting portion Of
the Orange Free State forces now OBJ
structing the advance of Gen. Methu-
en-.
A detachment of Cape police had a
skirmish with Beers December Z, near
1ndWe, while Gen. French reports i'm
pOrtant recOnnOiterings Wednesday,,
December from NaauwpOOrt showing
preparations to attempt the recapture
of some of the British towns occupied
by the burghers.
A war office dispatch from Gen. Bull
Ter confirms the statement that hello
graphic communication has been fully
established with Ladysmith and that
Gen. Butler and Gen White have been
comforting as to their future move
ments
GREAT BATTLES IMPENDING.
New York, Dec. S.-A dispatch to the
Tribune from London dated December
g. says:
Two great battles are impending be-
fore Ladysmith and Kimberley, and the
hOtSpurS are impatient to have them
come. One leading English journal,
impressed with the conviction that the
situation of Whites army is critical,
deprecates delay and well nigh raises
a cry of "On to LadySmith." 1t has also
published evidence of large reinforce
ments which General CrOnje has re-
ceiVed from Natal and Mafel1ing to en-
able him to make a strong resistance at
SpytfOntein. The war office having al
lowed General Butler a free hand, is
content to leave the campaign in his
hands and devote its energies to the
rapid dispatch 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 inactiOn of the British forces. They
assert that both Generals Methuen and
Clery, being in Searchlight communion
tion with the beIeaguered garrisOns,
know what is going on and 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 and the re
serves of artillery and cavalry are
more important advantage Tor the TWO
relief columns than the strengthening
of the defenses of Colenso and Spyt-
fontein is for the enemy.
The situation, when viewed cOmpre
hensiveIy at midnight. was distinctly
favorable to the British side, and there
was no apparent reason for hurrying,
much less rushing, the campaign. Cen
eraI Methuen, on resuming command
on Wednesday, had an additional bri-
gade of infantry, another regiment of
lancers and an increased force of ar
fillerV. as well as cavalry. He was in
much better position for using the bay
onet and hamme ering the eneny'S
works with an artillery fire and maneu-
vering with cavalry. There were ample
cOnpenSat tiOnS for the delay in mending
the brigadeS ana if General CrOnje had
been reinforced the Dutch allies were
weaker in Natal and Mafeking was
safer in consequence Of the cOncentra-
ton of their commands around Kim
berley.
The details of two sOrties by Kel1e-
wich's garrison, furnished by the war
office, Reuter- and special correspond
ents, proved how well it was able to
protect itself. Taking advantage of the
weakening of the besieging forces by
the Withdrawals for the defense of
MOdder river, Kekewich's men attack
ed. first. the enemy'S center and then,
right afterward, his right flank, cap
tured Iaager and four redOubts and
destroyed a large quantity of military
stores and fOOdstufTs. It was a timely
and brilliant stroke for which the gar
rison deserved Kekewich's thanks in
general order
There has been vigorous entrenching
at SpytfOntein, but General CrOnje Will
be in danger of having his retreat east
ward to JacObsdal cut off when Lord
Methuen advances to the attack Ne
tnuen's force is now estimated to be
fully $4,000
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 HOwitzer. two more siege
guns had been brought up and, accord
ing to the Times dispatches, three creu-
Sots, four big HOWitzers two batteries
of long range field guns and other heavy
ordnance were working steadily.
The ratiOns, moreover, had been re
Guced all around in the garrison. Cen
era1 Butler not only knows these facts.
but has provided so strong a relief
column that the siege will be practical
" raised as soon as Clery is ready to
strike the first blow. The British forces
in lower Natal are now estimated at
less than 90 000 men for operations on
either flank OF COleHS6. Butler may be