The daily morning Alaskan., 1899-12-20
EULER IS REFUSED! ].

now familiar story of conceded Boers and of British troops marching ur, bllndlv al- most, 10 the very muzzes of the enemy's rifles. lt cannot be doubted that the moral effect will be to aggravate our diff .ulii-s over the whole field of operations. The country has discovered with annoyance and surprise that subdulng Boer farmers Is about the hardest work we have entered upon since the Indian mutiny. The com mandants have shown themselves able to give our generals useful but expensive les sons in modern tactics"
 The Times says: "Sinee the days of the Indian mutiny the nation has not been confronted with so painful and anxious situation. Plainly, General Buffers ad- vance Is paralvzed for the moment, as com pleteIg as Lord Methuen's and c G,tacre's."
 The depression over the defeat of Great Britain's trusted and idolzed commander Is all the greater as during the last 4Shours there had been reports of the relief of Lady, smith. Yesterday the War oftlcs allowed lt to be understood that the position of af- fairs in Natal W entirely satisfactory. The reaction Is all the more pronounced on this account. The gloomy information came too late to reach the service clubs and only few journalists and straggers were waiting at the war office. lt has hardly been realized until now, even after the ex- perence of the week, that Gener Butler could fail. Virtually n thing had been allowed to leak through regarding his prep aratlons, but the public waited patiently in the confident belief that he was taking such time and precautions as would ensure success.
 No independent reports of the engage ment have vet been allowed to come through, but Gen. Buffers own dispatch tells the sad tale in sufficient outline to show that the British have been entrapped again by the astute BOers. ltw not an- ticipated that Gen Butler would make a frontal attack and no criticisms of his movements are m ide, sine dppdretly he suffered repUlSe r'ther than deielt, and did not push the attack home. but broke it off r. the middle so as 10 sive d useless sacrifice of life. It is expected that he will renew the attack shortly.
 Immediately on receiving the news the war office decided 10 mobilize still another division, and to replace the losses of artil- lery. The necessary reinfoeements will be hurried of as speedily as possible. Eff teen transports are due to arrive at Cape Town between December I7th and Janu- ary 8 h. with about 1900 troops of all arms, but unless Gen. Butler Is able 10 re- new the attack. which is exceedingly doubtful, the British generals will be com pelled for another fortnight or more to re- main practically on the defensive.
 The latest dispatches indicate the con tnued bombardment of LadySmith which poslti n Is now perious. Major'General Herbert Charles Chermside has been ap- pointed to command the Fourteenth Brig ade in the Seventh Division.
 London, Dec. I6.-The lis, of casualties among the non-commssioned officers and men in the fight at Magersfontein, just issued, shows $ killed, 25a wounded (2r severely) and 76 missing. This, however, is apparently not complete list
 Mr. Webster Dayls, assistant secretary of the Department of the Interior, at Wash ington. sails for Cape Town today. He expects to visit the Transvaal.
 New York, Dec. Is.-London adviees say that yesterdays report concerning I.adysmith was got up by clique who were trying to stop slump in South African shares.