The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-21
ANXIOUS ABOUT METHUEN.
norBr Nv LONDON CONCERNING THE
SAFETY or MS POSITION.


Of Gen. Buffers Abandoned Guns-Boers
Did Not Have Them tho Day After tho
p,tt,e-Gep. Lord Roberts In n Confer
.,e, mt the War Omce--Imperini Yso-
m,nry to he Like Our Rough Riders.
sI,ciai Cable D,spdteh to THE Sun
IoSpoy. Dec. 2l.-Tho silence concerning
the military operations in South Africa has not
co, b.en broken. Gen. Butler has sent cor
,sc,ed lIst OF the deaths OF nom com n, IS oned
os9cers and privates at Colenso. placing the
total at 1871
Nothing has boon heard from Gen. Methuen
s,ncs Dec. II. and the reports Of the excel
lance OF the Boer position and the skill
mi manner in which they are further
strengthening II tend to increase
the apprehension regarding the British at
Nodder River. The probability OF Gen.
Nsthuen's communications being cut grows,
but nothing Ia positively known.
Nothing has been heard from Gen. Gatacre.
press reports indicate an increase In the Boer
strength and activity in his neighborhood. 1t
Ia many days since there was any news from
Indysmlth. Kimberley or Mafektng
The reports that the Beers were unable to
capture the guns the British abandoned at
Coenso do not come from source encourage
ing peHei III uer uu'''' ~
correspondent at ohie'e'es SAYS "e""'teiy
that the guns were captured
In n despatch dated Dec. 16, he says: "The
Beers have placed their gums In positions
which command this camp. They have cap
tured ten OF our guns
On the other hand q despatch from Durham.
under date OF Dec. 10. the day a''er tue oattie.
says: Gen. buffers aoah"oheu gums =.
Coenso remain In the position tney were iet
early this morning IL u not HkeU tnal 'ho
Beers VIII attempt 10 cross 'no rNereo cap
ture them as the british guns cover the POSI-
ton"
Practically the same statement comos from
the Beers In the tohoWine oespa'eh' uateo rre-
tor!a. Dec. 10;
Heavy lighting continues at Colenso. -Four
British guns across the river were put out OF
action and the Hunners and horses Killed. The
British are sheiling the boers In order 10 pre-
vent them crossing the bridge ana capturing
the guns.
There was two hours artillery hring ut the
Modier River. beginning at D O'Clock this
morning.
The Boer forces at MafeklnR arc drawing
closer to the BRITISH POSITIONS.
In view OF the Increasing disposition In many
quarters to urbraid tue Government for
responsibility for the British disaster owing TO
rs lack OF preparation. speech made at Gas
gov BY Mr.. Gerald Baliour. Chief Secretary for
Ireland. exctes adverse comment while dis
avowne any desire TO crit'clse the Generals he
sail nevertheless that our ofiioers had had
sharp essen, ana ne trusted thatN would De
sanitary.
The newspapers devote much space to the
volunteer movement. Reports Indicate that
the War ONCE Is still overwhelmed with
ora's. The Imperial ieomanry scheme
seems TO some extent 70 De modelled on
koosevets housh hiders'
Additional! reports from ooienso continue 70
cemons'rate 'he inier'on'y IN range OF the
BRUSH a''net'' Inc na'a' guns a'one "ero
ao.e 10 reach Vhe enemy uenohes.
Inc ine'' CORRESPONDENT at 'hie'e'eJ says
.na' she Doers nave uam mou 'he river oe,o"
pt'u'e pfi'' renuernE ~ almost iinpassao'e.
ihe puV"" uS'iels hau 'ouf mon oioWneu
shne s''enipins 'he pa.sakn reopio VINO
ano" 'ne county, eons'oe' 'no Doe' pos'e'oh W
M. s c, poss'o'e.
..u "o .uo~s eo'tespohuen' ~ .n'o.eiey
$3.50 ',op " "e if-yon-oiu uuk'er OF 'ne
DuSnh fus'"' NO ieoeNeu tnroe Wouhos
~ '"o onep' ah' ono III TUE arm nc s'askereu