Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-11-30
SHOCK FOR LONDON.
Story That Ladysmith Has Sur
rendered is Not Confirmed, How-


rendered is Not Confirmed. How.
| ever.
London, Nov. 30.-London had quite a
shock last night. In the midst of re-
joicing over Lord Methuen's great VIC
tory at the Modder river, the late edi-
tions of the evening papers came out
with placards of big black type, Sur
render of Ladysmith."
| The revulsion of feeling was only mo-
mentary. as the thousands who eagerly
bought the papers soon found that the
reported surrender was contained in
very circumstantial dispatch from The
Hague. DR.. Leyd's headquarters In
quiry at the war Office ELECTED the infor-
nation that no dispatch containing such
news had been received.
| Gen. Methuen's march from the Or
ange river is most notable achieve
ment. In the course of a week he has
marched his column nearly fifty miles,
fought three battles and Won three vic
tories.
The fight at Belmont was fierce
enough, with it's deplorable loss to the
guards. The engagement at Enslin or
Gras Pan had melancholy notoriety for
the terrible execution wrought among
the naval brigade. but the Aodder river
battle is likely to prove the hardest
fought and bloodiest of the three
This combat, which lasted for ten
hours and was fought by men who had
had neither food nor drink, and under
blazing sun, against a strongly in
trenched enemy, possesses features
which will make live military history.
After Saturdays battle at Gras Par
Met force rested on Sunday IF
advanced fifteen miles northward on
Monday, and at night the column
found itself close to the Modder river
and confronted by a'Boer army of 5000
men strongly intrenched.
Early Tuesday morning the attack
began. The Beers must have been
posted on the north side of the Modder
river, which was running at full flood.
The British attacked from the south
side
AS there was no opportunity for out
flanking the enemy's position owing to
the high river the British must have
made frontal attack and forced the
Beers to quit their position by the su-
periority of their artillery and rifle fire,
the retirement being accelerated by the
fact that Gen. Pole e-Carew--probably
late in the engagement-had succeeded
iii getting across the river with a force.
No pursuit of the enemy appears to
have been possible.
There is little doubt that the Beers
are taking away their guns and will
fight again at Scholtz kop and Spyfon-
tein. twelve miles to the north. A
fourth battle must almost inevitably
take place there, but Col. Kekewich
will probably try to take the enemy in
the rear.
This Engagement must occur tomor-
row or Saturday, and If all goes we'll
Kimberley should be relieved by Sun
day or Monday.
London Public Anxious.
London, Nov. 30.-Twelve hours re-
Election opon Lord Methuen's brief dis
patch has only served to increase pub
lie suspense and anxiety. In the abb
sence of any indication whether the
Beers occupied the north or south bank
of the Modder river the best opinion
inclines to the latter theory and it is
pointed out the British must have been
utterly exhausted If they could not fol-
low up the retiring Beers and crush
them as the enemy crowded over the
bridge, their compulsory line of re-
treat.
The Morning Posts correspondent
suggests the Beers are still on the
south side of the river and that the
bridge is still in their hands. He points
out 1.-THE great danger to the small Brit
ish force which crossed On pontoons.'
The Importance attached to the pom
tooning is proved by the fact that
1Q-(sp q
two brigadier generals, was selected to
superintend 1t. 1t is believed that Me-
thuen will be instantly reinforced from
Cape Town by two battaliops Of in
fantry, a detachment of cavalry and
battalion of artillery.
Unstinted admiration everywhere is
expressed Of the splendid work Of Me-
*huen's column. y = force really