The evening times., 1899-12-13
WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 1s. 1899.
Another British Reverse.

Another British Reverse.
Although full particulars are lacking. the
news from Modder River which has just
reached us. is sufficient to show that our
most unfavorable estimate of Lord Me-
thuen's position has been more than justi-
fled. His fighting on Monday and Tuesday.
of which hardly more than rumors had
come TO hand before this morning, is still
represented as though it began with a re-
connoissance in force against the Beers at
Megarsfontein. Probably the fact viii
transpire that Methuen found Cronje en-
trenchng and emplacing guns close up to
his left flank. and was compelled to move
out to check the movement.
At all events it is now plain that the
British column had two days OF hard fight
ing, in which it was worsted. We do not
believe that the War Office in London has
published anything like the whole story. 1t
is admitted that Methuen's losses were
heavy, and that he had confessed being
forced TO act entirely on the defensive, in
his statement that he was entrenching and
that at least twelve thousand Beers were
on his front. But the full gravity of his
situation probably has been withheld. We
are much mistaken if he has not been
caught between front and flank attacks too
heavy for his numbers and guns TO more
Than hold out against by desperate exer-
lions.
II would seem to be a reasonable deduc-
tion from the news, such as 1t is. that
Methuen will have TO retreat unless he can
be instantly re-enforced, of which there
IS not much apparent prospect In case
he should fall back it is to be expected that
he would find the south bank of the Mod
der occupied by the Beers from Jaoohsdal
unless French should come on the scere
at the heavy cost of abandoning the stra-
tegic triangle at Naauw Poort. fresh
Gefeat at this time will involve political as
well as military consequences very disas-
trous to British prestige and prospects in
South Africa.
London appears to regard the explana-
lions OF General Gatacre's defeat at Storm
berg as unsatisfactory and lame and that
unhappy officer is being subjected TO un-
favorable criticism, which. as matters look
is not undeserved. He has confessed that
he greatly underestimate the distance
from Putter's Kraal to Stormberg. an
error wiich is quite inconceiyable since
the latter place was formerly a British
camp on a main line of railway whose time
tables must have given the correct mile
age. and whose officials and servants must
have been able to afford the necessary in
formation, otherwise. The affair was
sad and probably an inexcusable blunder.
1t has resulted badly, and 1t may be, dan
gerously for Gatacre's column, which has
been compelled to fall back from Molteno
10 Bushman's Hoek and Cyphergat, points
which do not appear on the war maps.
Sir Redyers Butler continues silent. 1t
is doubtful If he has received the twelve
howitzers he has been waiting for, al
though it was assumed in London a week
ago that they were in his bands. There is
rumor OF Boer raid beyond his right
at WeeLen, which We regard with reserve.
Sir George White has effected another Sue
cessful sortie from Ladysmith, destroying
a Boer howizer. The apparently small
force in which the movement developed the
besiegers, in tie direction It Was male, |
seems to support the theory that maEy cf |
the Boer troops have been Withdrawn from |
the investment. This may only mean that |
they have been sent to strengthen the |
Tugela line of defence; or it may justify |
the opinion that Joubert has REINFORCED |
CronJe with forces from Laiysmith.
This opinion, which seems general in |
London, perhaps exists because it repre-
sents the only way in which the War Office
can account for the strength of the Trans
vaal and Orange forces in the west. 1t is
equally probable, however. that the Boer
army is twice as large as the inefficient
British intelligence office fas estimated it.
Considering the extent and seriousness of
Sir Redycrs Buffers preparations to at
tack JoIbert, in Natal, lie theory that
the latter would much weaken his resisting
power. even to help Cronie defeat Me thuen,
and take Kimberley and Cecil Rhod-s, is
open 10 military doubt