New-York tribune., 1899-12-03
RoERS MASsING AT sPYTFONTEIN.

WHERE GENERAL LORD METHUEN'S NEXT
RATTLE WILL PROBABLY BE FOUGHT.
London. Dec. 2.-The meagre official dispatch
giving list of the British casualties at Modder
River. and announcing the bare fact that Lord
Methuen is still there awaiting reinforcements'
is only supplemented by brief special message
from Cape Town tonight. stating that the
Beers destroyed the bridge over the Modder
River before the battle and are now concentrat-
ing at Spytfontein. where the final battle be-
fore Kimberley Is relieved is expected to take
place.
The censor has apparently stopped al press
messages from the front relating to the pattie'
which is not regarded as favorable indicauon'
As TO the materia! results of Lord Methuens
engagement It is not yet clear whether LORD
Methuen's force actually crossed the Modder
River or is still awaiting the rebuilding OF the
bridge before the artillery and cavalry can
cross In any case, the railway must be car
ried over the bridge before the Indispensable
big naval guns can pass, because Lord Methu-
ems last message showed that they were "orheu
on trucks along the railroad.
1t Is a significant fact that Lord Methuehs
dispatch makes no mention of the Boer loss
which. therefore is assumed to be small.
dispatch from Cape Town this evening says
Lord Methuens advance undoubtedly Is be-
ginning TO affect the Boer strategy. and prob
ably explains the withdrawal from Mooi River.
The continued presence OF commanders In Cape
Colony tends to confirm the opinions that the
Beers are making desperate efforts to recruit
their forces from the Dutch residents. While IT
is impossible to obtain exact statistics 1t is alb
solutely certain that the disaffected Dutch have
ioined the Beers in great numbers. which are
still increasing. Most Of the recruits. however,
are young men, General Buffers message clearly
indicating that the punishment for dlsloyalty
has deferred the actual holders Of farms from
Joining the Beers through fear OF confscation
OF their property.
There are now clear proofs that the loyalty Of
the border Dutch is unable to withstand the
proximity Of Boer commanders The rest Of the
colony is apparently quiet. but there is strong
undercurrent of sympathy for the Beers. The
outlook regarding Cape Colony, however, may
be considered hopeful.
The Beers, as well as the British, underest-
mated the strength of their opponents, and
every engagement has evidently tended to es-
tablish a hearty respect for Tommy Atkins
General Forester Walkers announcement
that the Canadian marksmen and other rem
forcements have been pushed forward TO the
neighborhood Of the Orange River, 10 protecI
General Methuen's line Of communications mas
relieved much anxiety here, where II was iuiIy
expected the Beers would attempt to attack the
vulnerable points of the line or COMMUNICATIONS
The latest news from Natal indicates that the
hulk of the Ladysmith relief force has arrived
at Frere though there is considerable conjecture
&c to the wberea bouts Of General Clery. whose
movements have not been chronicled recently,
/. is surmised in some quarters that ne Huy
reappear in a totally unexpected quarter, on the
dank or rear Of General Jouberts force, Whch
is supposed to be concentrated at IropeI S >
Kloof north Of the Tugela River AS Genera
Hildvard's advance guard was in touch WIN
the Beers as long ago as tuesday last ueNei'P
ynents should not be long delayed
Lord Dundonald's mounted force on Novem-
her 2S accompanied by four guns went IN pur-
suit OF a body Of Beers returning 10 Coienso'
Thev followed the Beers to within TWO anu
bsr miles Of Colenso. when the Beers rephed
m the British shells with long range guns ineIe
80 no casualties. Colenso Bridge. II Is aoued'
was nnotber detachment Of 1900 British troops
sailed for South Africa to-day -
owing 10 the phenomenal sale or tne news.
naners consequent upon the war, paper i%annne %
ts threatened 1t is reported that the AMER
nor sunplies have failed temporarily