The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-12
S,,no' casb D,,potch,, to The suS


JonrS2o MARQUEE. Dec. IL. - An official
aespntch from Pretoria states that 872 British
prlsoners were taken by the Beers at Storm
berg The number Of British dead and
wounded is unknown.
IoSpoN, Dec. l2.Thc West Coast cable to
South Africa Is interrupted and the only COM
punication Is Nv way OF the Fast Coast cable.
This fact must bc assumed to explain the alb
,cnce Of further news Of Gen. Gatacres misfor.
tune and his present position.
an the accounts OF the reverse end abruptly
n, point whore interest Is strong. and
nobody knows how the British troops wero
apparently so easily CAPTURED The War Onice
seems to tie IA much lacking in Information "a
the public. The most plausible suggestion.
based on what is known. Is that the men wero
too utterly worn out to resist
The afrar has doubtless caused great irrita-
tion against Gen. Gatacrc. but there Is gen
era disposition to await an explanation before
crticsing him too severely. especially In view
of the known difficulties OF tho Stormherg
country.
Lord Dunhams hasty TRADE Is condemned
q, being in the worst taste, but the fact seems
uuIcniable that Grh. Gatarrc who personally
f. most energetic. is an eNacting commander.
The Morning Posts military critic says that
the one anxiety TO those aware OF his iron
energy was that with an independent COM
mand he might work his men too hard. Fur
Their details must be awaited, however. before
deciding that he has done So
Fear Is expressed that the depletion on his
forces will compel him to fall back on Queens
town. n step which would doubtless have de-
porabe political effect.
The unofficial reports from Modder River in
dlcating that Gen. Methuen's artillery ia Of
longer range than that OF the Beers are re-
eeived here with welcome relief after the con.
slant experience OF the Beers superiority In
this respect elsewhere. The fact. II fact IL be.
will obviously be OF immense Importance in
the event OF direct attack on the tree
mcndously strong Boer positions at Spyt-
iontein and Magers-'ontein.
4 report from Pretoria that Commandant
Crcnje had captured nity OF Gen. Methuen's
men is not confirmed from tho English side.
The only nGhting that was recorded sunday
between the western column and the Beers
was n lyddite and shrapne long range bonn
bardment BY the British naval brigade and
howitzers
The positions at Kimberley on Dec. and at
Naiekng on Nov 80 when they last reported.
were unalterrl and Ladysmith Is still held
though apparently the situation in the latter
place Is growing worse.
A correspondent sent on Dec. dispatches
which show that both men and horses In Lady
Rmith are on half rations. Beer Is all gone
Whisky sells for twenty shilllngs q
bottle and milk for half n crown tin
From Nov. l TO Dec. D 32Gi Boer shells
Grouped 10 the town. killing thirty-one civil
fans ana woundIng l45. The Town Hall Il
complete wreck. The messages. some
OF which were for the press. also
say that the Transvaai artillery is
almost exclusively in the hands OF German and
French mercenares. but for whom there would
have been no siege. and probably no advance
beyond the borders OF the republics
II is added that the Beers are weary OF war
snd that many OF them are surrendering to the
British pickets.
NoLTESo. Cape Colony. Dec. 10. o P. M
When the Second Royal Irish Rifles and the
Eorthumberla Fusiliers climbed the hill at
stormberg they found they were in the centre
OF rife fire which was pouring In from
three direct ons. They were ordered to retire
and the arti lcry covered the retreat. The troops
arrived here at IL O'Clock this morning after
thirty hours work, Including an engagement
Of three hours. Ii Is estimated that the Beers
a. Stormberg numbered 5000.
LONDON. Dec. 1.-THE Times correspondent
a. Molteno. teIcGraphine at noon on sunday.
Bays Gen. Gatacre had 300 men. He reports
that there was disorder during the retreat
owing to the fatigue OF the men ard the con-
slant Smelling OF the Beers
BoEE HEADQUARTERS. outside Ladysmith.
Dec 9, via Lorenzo Marquee. Dec. ll.-During
the night the British tried to approach the big
gun on Buiwnna Hill. but retired to Lady
tmith