The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-04
Sew eral Technical
Mistakes Made
BY British.
HAYS APPOINTMENT PRAISED.
Censorship Continues to
Be More Rigid Than
Before.

London, Dec. 4 (43O a. m.) The week
opens without a word Of news such as
the British public is so anxlously
awaiting. With larger army in the
field than the country ever before mo-
| bilized it can only be said that the loss
of $500 men entailed before the enemy's
| borders have been crossed is a serious
matter, and while there is no feeling
of dependency as to the eventual re-
suit of the war, it is regretfulIy admit
ted on all sides that the strength of the
| Boer resistance has been woefully I'M
derrated
| 1t is now seen that the attempt to
hold a useless position at Mafeking
was serious tactical mistake, as was
also the endeavor to keep the large
civil population at Kimberley. Per-
haps the brightest spot for English
readers today is the announcement that
President Mckinley has designated
the son Of Secretary Hay to succeed
Mr.. McCrum in Pretoria. The Daily
Telegraph says:
This appointment is a graceful con-
cession on the part of the United
States to British feeling. Our country
mems interests will be safe in the
ndHQS OF lne new CONSUL
South African news is now six days
in arrears. The censorship does not
yet permit details of the Modder river
battle to be transmitted Some vague
statements have been published in the
Cape Town papers, and according to
these, the Beers numbered 5000 men
and were entrenched on both banks of
the stream, although mostly on the
northern bank. The British, according
to these accounts, drove the enemy
across the river, compelling them to re-
treat and established themselves on
both banks. These details, however, are
too meagre to enable an accurate idea
Of the engagement to be formed
A dispatch has reached London, that
Lord Methuen is again in the field, and
it is also said that Count Glelchen,
who was wounded in the fighting at
Modder river, was struck by bullet in
the neck.
Serious news comes from the north
ern sections of Cape Colony. The whole
border district between Colesberg and
Burghersdorp has declared for the
Beers. In Venterstad alone more
| than 1000 have Joined the rebellion. The
farmers have formed a Communicating
committee. and talk confidently of a
| triumphant march on Cape Town. Gen.
| Buffers proclamation has been torn
ooWn ana IraInpled upon, ana the loyal
| lists are hidden to hurry to Cape Town
to prepare coffee for the rebels.
The official list shows that a modih-
cation has been made in the command
of the Sixth division. Instead of Lit
| Gen. Sir Charles Mansfield Clarke, the
commander will be Maj. Gen. Thomas
Kelly Kenney, inspector general of
auxiliary forces and recruiting, with
Mai. Gen. Knox and Maj. Gen Glenn
ents as brigade commanders. Gen.
! Kelly-Kerney has had no South AZ
rican experience
With regard to Natal, it is still doubt
| full whether the bridge over the Tugela
at Colenso has been destroyed. There
is a report that the British drove the
Beers off while attempting to destroy
it, but the probability is that the struc-
ture was mined and fired afterward
According to a dispatch from Pet
| tiers Kraal, dated Tuesday, Nov. 49, the
| Beers were then attempting turning
movements from Steynsburg and the
districts north of Sterkstrom in Coop
Grafton with the rebels, by way of Mar
sburg and Tarkastad, against Gen.
Gatacres column. The wreck of the
| troopship Ismor may result in the loss
| of $50 horses.