Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-11-27

Of ammunition
London, Nov. 7-None too soon for
the British has come the news Of the
improved outlook for them on both the
British and western sides Of the South
Africa Republic, as the constant small
reyerses were causing keen resentment
against the authorities here This was
evidenced by the results Of the Wands-
worth election 10 the London county
council on Saturday when the previous
conservative plurality Of 30 was con-
yerted into a liberal plurality Of 2S2 the
conservatives having made the war an
issue and their candidate being mill
tary officer
To Gen. Methuen II appears belongs
the honor Of the first real British VIC
tory OF the present war. as Belmont
was the first battle after which the
British advanced instead Of reueated.
The fact that Gen, Methuen was forced
TO fight second pitched battle near
the scene Of the first shows the Beers
were demorallzed at Belmont but
quickly rallied and with undated cour-
age. met the splendid assault OF the
British naval brigade at Gras Pan. The
excellent military qualities displayed
by the Beers in these two fights were
no doubt partially derived from the
training OF Commandant Albrecht, a
former officer OF the Austrian army.
Presumably Gen. Methuen has al
ready resumed his march northward.
He was, when last heard from, still
nearly fifty miles from Kimberley, and
doubtless an action will have 10 be
fought AT Modder river before Da-
mondopolis is relieved. There is some
doubt as TO what Is meant In the state
ment that the Beers are falling back
on Warrenton. which is fifty miles
north Of Kimberley, unless the dispatch
was intended TO fall in British hands
in the hope Of misleading Gen. Methuen.
The latter, however, is said TO be far
too cautious TO be caught by such a
trick, and II is added II can be conf
dentlally anticipated that his column
will sweep steadily forward In spite Of
the determined resistance he will meet
with
The conclusion must be accepted,
however reluctantly, that the Beers are
deliberate In the ir misuse Of the white
flags On top OF Gen. Methuen's warning
and other evidence, comes the statement
Of Correspondent Knight who has ar
rived at Capetown wounded He says
he accompanied detachment of the
Northampton regiment when force Of
Beers coo yards distant and surrounded
displayed a white flag, The officer COM
mandlng the Northamptons then or
dered his men TO rise, when the Beers
deliberately volleyed, wounding knight
and others.
The war department has re-
celyed the following dispatch from
General Butler, dated PIotermarltz-
burg, Sunday, Nov. 25th:
"Hildyard. from Estcourt made a
successful attack Nov. 23rd, With three
battalions. one field battery, naval
gun and 70 mounted troops on the en-
envy occupying Beacon Hill, which DOM
mates Willow Grange and had inter-
rupted communication. As a result
OF the operations the enemy Is retiring
and the railway and the telegraph lines
have been restored between Estcourt
and Wester,
"Our loss is about fourteen killed and
fifty wounded.
"Hndyard has advanced 10 a position
near Frere, as he hopes 10 cut on the
enemy, who s. believed 70 be retiring on
Colenso via Weenen.
"Barton, from Weston, has advanced
10 EstcOurt,
as soon as communication Is res
tored will telegraph particulars 80
Far as | can make out the operation Is
one Tor which Hildyard and the troops
deserve much credit The railway is
now open 90 Frere.
The colonial Office has received the
following dispatch from the governor %
Natal. dated Pietermarltzburg. sunday
Nov. Goth: The Beers are retiring on
Weenan. our troops are occupying a
ridge three miles northWard OF the Mool
river. II appears that the Beers nave
found our position too strong ana are
,etirlnR towards Ladysmlth. with the