The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-09
TEE SITUATION IN SOUTH AFRICA.


The appearance OF rinderpest among the
horses OF the British force at Frere. in Natal. Is
among the most i'm portant items OF news re-
ceived from South Africa In the last twenty
Tour hours. II IL less than three years since
the whole country south OF the Zambesi
was devastated by the nest. and the cattle
perished by thousands. and in Rhodosia they
have not yet recovered from the effects Of
II. Every effort will. as our telegram SAYS. be
made to prevent the spread OF the disease.
otherwise 1t may have an untoward influence
on the fortunes OF the ca mpalgn. for while the
Beers horses and cattle are mostly seasoned.
the green horses aud transport animals i'm
ported from ell parts Of the world for the use OF
tho British army would be likely to fall VIC
time to the epidemic should It not be STAN ped
out In time
The Beers have for the moment cut into Gen.
Methuens communications BY blowing up
railway culvert near Graspan and cutting the
telegraph wires Yesterday morning. This
would probably be the work OF the Free Staters
reported at the beginning Of the week TO have
again returned to the eighborhood OF Kafrlrs
Kop on the Free State border. not far from
the Graspan railway station. Heavy firing
was also reported to tho north which
would indicate that there was a renewal
OF fighting near the Modder River. Unless the
Beers are mustering In force again south Of
the Modder River. the danger to Gen. Me-
thuen's communications Is not very great. but
the fact that the enemy IL again appearing in
his rear will call for q force strong enough to
keep the line between the Orange and Moddsr
Rivers undisturbed.
The report that Mafeking has been relieved
10 improbable for the reason that the Beers are
strongly intrenched at Gaberoner. nearly one
hundred miles north OF Mafeking. and that
somsten or twelve miles OF the railway between
Lobata and AasvoRel Kop between these two
places were torn up by the Beers soon after ths
war began and have not been relaid
since. The only other way by which relief
could be sent to Maf.king would be by the
road through shoshong aud Molapololo that
makes wide detour to the west OF the railway.
II has also 10 be taken into account that the
railway bridge across the Notwani River above
Gaoerones. near Mochudi, was destroyed by
the Beers some time back.
From Natal the news IL indefinite. the Brit
ish being occupied In making recon issances
along tho Tugela and toward the Drakeus-
berg Mountains on their left. Movements
are stated to be In progress on the
Boer side Indicating their apprehen-
sions OF a British advance to the west
Of Ooenso: and the Tugela 10 reported to DO
falling. which would render tho passage OF the
river at the fords comparatively easy for the
British. Gen. Butler is now In heliograp hlo
comm IN ioation with Laiysmith and is con-
ferring with Gen. White as to their future
operations.
Cons. Gatacre and French have not yet
begun their advance. which seems likely to be
interfered with by the Colonial insurgents and
the Free Statcrs operating to the southwark OF
the Storm berg Mountains.
In anticipation OF having to reinforce tn
army already In South Africa. an ad litional
division. the Seventh. is to be organized in
England on q war footing. and a cavalry dvs-
ion. 1000 strong. 10 TO be formed without
delay.