Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-12-20
THE BRITISH GUNS
1t Is Doubtful Whether They Are
In the Possession of the
Beers.
BRITISH ORDNANCE INFERIOR
The War Department Roasted for Not Hav-
ing Long Range Artillery and Claims
Made That the Beers We're Better
Off In This Respect.


doubtful whether the guns that General
Butler abandoned at Colenso are in pos
session Of the Beers. According to a
dispatch to the Associated Press from
Durham, sent off on the evening of the
battle and just received here, the guns
remained where they were left by the
British troops, and We're covered by the
heavy guns of General Hildyard's bri
gade, occupying an intrenched position
The dispatch added that the Beers thus
far had not attempted to cross the river
and carry away the guns, while advices
to the Associated Press from Pretoria,
under the same date, say an official
Boer dispatch reports two guns, thr-
teen wagons and quantity of ammu-
milton captured besides 20S prisoners.
Further accounts of the Tugela river
battle emphasize the ignorance of the
British intelligence department in re-
gard to the disposition Cf the Boer
forces. The British were not aware the
Beers were intrenched along the series
of lowlying hills Immediately north
ward Of Colenso bridge until stagger-
ing fire compelled them to retreat when
the attack seemed about to succeed.
The Beers were also in greater strength
than anticipated. 1t becomes clearer,
also, that the British guns were lost in
attempting to get within effective range
of the Boer artillery, showing the latter
outranged the British ordnance, which,
in spite of numerical superiority, was
wholly inadequate to reply to the long
range Boer guns.
The British war office comes in for
scathing denunciations from the Times
to-day for not providing effective artil-
lery. 1t is pointed out in this connec-
ton that the longer range naval guns
particpa ting in the same attack es-
capped.
London, December 20-There was no
news this morning to enlighten the gen.
eral situation. The war office reported
that General French reconnoitered
northward of Arundel December IS.
After shelling the Jasfontein farm,
three miles eastward of the Boer posi-
ton, the New Zealanders advanced and
occupied the farm. The Roer guns then
opened, and the Beers advanced to at.
tack until ordered to retire.
The last news from Mafeking, dated
December 6, says a. desultory lombard
ment was continuing, and sharpshoot.
ers engaged in smart duels morning
and evening. The dispatch describes a
novel method of sending messages
adopted by some Beers. A 5-pounder
shell fired into the town did not ex-
plode. 1t was opened and found to con-
tain a letter as follows:
Dear Powell Colonel Baden-PowelD
Excuse iron messenger No other
means communicating. Please tell Mrs
mother and family all well. Don't
drink all the whisky Leave some for
us when We get in
The senders signature was torn off.
London, December 20.-A special from
Durham, Natal, dated Saturday, Decem-
Der Is, says 1t is rumored that General
Butler called for volunteers to recover
the abandoned guns, and party issued
from the camp after midnight and
brought in the guns uninjured.
Aberdeen, December 2O.-Jas. Bryce,
M. p, in a speech here to-day severely
attacked Chamberlain, secretary OIL
state for the colonies, and denounced
his methods, manner and whole con-
duct" and said he hoped it would not be
much longer possible for him to "do his
best to excite the hostile feelings OF
Germany and ALLEVIATE, throw back and
do all possibly injury to a close under
standing between us and the United
States.''
London, December 2O.-Revsed lists
Of British casualties at the battle of
Colenso show 1877 nom commissioned of.
ficers and men killed.
London. December 20.-The Globe
says there are rumors that the Duke of
Connaught will succeed General Lord
Roberts as commander-in-ch of the
Irish forces.