The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-03

The War Office has received the follow
ing from General Forester-Walke dated
Cape Town. Dec. i: General Gatacre re-
ports no change in the situation General
French has made a reconnaissance from
Naauwpoort to Bosmead. The troops re-
turned to-day. General Methuen's flesh
wound is slight. He is remaining at Mod
der river for the reconstruction OF the
bridge Am reinforcing him with High
landers and a cavalry corps. Horse artii-
lery, the Canadian regiment, Australian
contingents, and three battalions of in
fantry moved up 70 the I>e ,lzar and Bel.
mont line"
REPAIRING BRIDGE.
From General Forester-Walker's dis
patch it is proved that all reports or Gem
eral Methuen's advance. after the battle OF
Modder river were premature. though
with the railroad working he should not be
long in constructing a temporary bridge.
His enforced delay doubtless will be OF
considerable service in giving his hard
pushed column needful rest and in allow
ing the arrival of reinforcements, OF which
he must be sorely in need, after three such
fights, placing hors de combat upwards or
a thousand men. out OF less than seven
thousand. General Forester-Walker an
nouncement that the Canadian marksmen
and other reinforcements have been pushed
forward to the neighborhood OF the Orange
river TO protect General Metnuens line OF
communication has relieved much anxiety
here where it was fully expected the Beers
would attempt to attack the vulnerable
points of the line OF communication.
The latest news from Natal indicates
that the bulk OF the Ladysmith relief force
has arrived at Frere, though there is con-
siderable conjecture as to the whereabouts
of General Clery. whose movements have
not been chronicled recently. 1t is sur
missed in some quarters that he may re-
appear in a flank movement with General
French's force. which is supposed TO be
concentrated at Grobbler's kloof. north Of
Tugela river. AS General Hildyard's ad-
vance guard was in touch with the Beers
as long ago as Tuesday last, developments
should not be long delayed. Dundonalds
force, Nov. 2S. accompanied by four guns,
went in pursuit of body OF Beers return
ing TO Colenso. They followed the Beers
TO within two and one-half miles OF Colen-
so. when the Beers replied 10 the British
shells with long-range guns. There were
no casualties. Colenso bridge, IL is added.
was afterwards blown up.
Another detachment Of three thousand
British troops sailed for South AFRICA to-
day
Owing 10 the phenomenal sale Of the
newspapers. consequent upon the war. a
paper famine is threatened. II is reported
that the American supplies have failed
temporarily.
The neager official dispatch giving the list
OF casualties at Modder river. and announc-
ing the bare fact that Lord MethUen Is still
there awaiting reinforcements. is only sup
plemented by a brief special message from
Cape Town tonight. stating that the Beers
destroyed the bridge over the Modder river
before the battle and are now concentrating
at Spytfontein, where the final battle be-
fore Kimberley Is relieved is expected to
take place.
CENSOR SITS" ON THE PRESS.
The censor has apparently stopped all
press messages from the front relating 10
the battle, which Is not regarded as a ia
vorable indication. AS 10 the material results
OF Lord Mathuen's engagement, * is not yet
clear whether Lord Methuen's force act
ually crossed the Modder river or Is still
awaiting the rebuilding OF the bridge be-
fore the artillery and cavalry can cross.
In any case the railway must be carried
over the bridge before the Indispensable
big naval guns can pass. because Lord
Methuen's last message showed that they
were worked on trucks along the railroad.
II Is a significant fact that Lord Methuen's
cablegram makes mention OF the Boer
loss which. therefore, Is assumed 70 be
small.
A dispatch from Cape Town. this evening.
says Lord Methuens advance undoubtedly
is beginning TO affect the Boer strategy.
and probably explains the withdrawal from
Moot river. The continued presence or COM
mandos in Cape Colony tends 10 confirm
the opinion that the Beers are making des-
perate efforts TO recruit their forces from