New-York tribune., 1899-12-23
ONE CLEAN OF NEWS.
EVIDENCE THAT THE LADYSNIITH GAR
RISON is STILL IN FIGHTING TRIM.


Copyright: 1899: BY The Nevv-York Tr1buneI
IBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE
London. Dec. %, | a m.-Snce the conspiracy
Of silence now in progress at the front does not
extend to the casualty lists. there is one genuine
BIT Of news in official form The War Office
ported yesterday a series of casualties occur
ring on Monday. including seven men killed and
fourteen wounded As the names were those of
soldiers serving under General White it was
clear that there had been either an engagement
or a sortie at Ladysmith. AS the killed and
wounded were connected with two battaons OF
infantry. three batteries. the Natal Carbineers
and the 18th Dragons. 1t was also evident that
a considerable force bad been under fire. In
this way something like real intelligence was
drawn from the short list Of names by the easy
process OF inference without details or explana-
tions from either Pietermaritzburg or the War
Office.
The effect was invigorating after a week occu-
pied with bewildering study Of the belated,
fragmentary and contradictory accounts OF Bull
ler's repulse. Englishmen were cheered by the
plain ntimation that three days after that dis
astrous battle. when the tidings must have been
heard that the first attempt at the rescue Of the
garrison had failed. Whites men were still in
fighting form. full of pluck. and capable OF GO
ing out TO meet the enemy with guns. cavalry
and infantry. 1t a voice in the dark and
while the message was imperfectly understood,
It had a genuine English ring different in tone
clubs and newspapers.
There were three additional names which told
sadder and less hopeful story. There
soldiers who had died from enterc fever Cen
eral Whites army is evidently suffering from
bad water and insufficient food, or unsanitary
conditions for the mortality among unwounded
soldiers has been serious.
METHUEN WILL NOT RETIRE.
Another fact which may be safely inferred
from the Admiralty reports OF the movements Of
transports IS that the battaons Of the Fifth Di-
vision as they arrive in South Africa are divided
between Natal and the western border, some go
ing TO Durham and others TO De Aar. This seems
a clear indication that General Methuen will hold
his ground at Modder River and not retreat to
Orange River, as many timorous military writer's
for the press have been clamoring to have him
effect of such retreat would be exceedingly
bad since IL would be a confession Of failure Of
one Of the first objects Of Buffers campaign
with the army corps Military men now assert
that IL General Methuens retirement had been
contaminated all the reinforcements arriving at
Cape Town would have been hurried forward 10
Natal 10 complete the work OF relieving Lady
smith since they would not have been needed at
De Aar or Belmont They also venture TO as
sumo that Modder River will be made second
base for ultimate operations across the country
10 Bloernfontein when the auxiliary transport
with mule train and carts. has been orgahlzeu'
This. however. is poaching upon Loro hooerts
preserves The gallant veteran VINO VIII start
to-day for the Cape will plan his own campaign
after he assumes command. 1t is generally un-
derstood from hints dropped at the war once
that he has declined TO assume any responsloh-
ity for the campaign until his arrival on the
ground and that he has not embarrassed "eh-
eral Butler with any suggestions or adVlce rom
London Butler will have q free hand uhth Loro
ROBERTS reaches Cape Town, and VIII theh CON-
mand the troops In Natal
Lord Roberts visited the Queen yesterday Win
Lord Salisbury
among many rumors current before mdhIBH'
was one based on an alleged statement by the
manager Of the Creusot company that the Boer
ammunition was running low and that urgent
dispatches had been received from Pretoria ask
Ing for the immediate shipment Of large sup
plies. These reports were too untrustworthy to
merit serious consideration. There was no ap-
parent lack OF Boer ammunition either at
Msgersfontein or Colenso or StOrmberg. and
Whatever delay there has been in replying TO the
BRUSH artillery Is explained too easily by the
strategy and admirable tactics Of the Dutch In
POLAND! POLAND! PoLANDl PoLANDl