The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-16
SERIOUS BEIIIsH RErERsE IN NATAL.

II, as dispatches from Gen. Buffers army In
Natal state. he has sustained a really serious
reverse in the attempt to reach Ladysmith, the
gravity OF the whole situation In South Africa
can hardly be overestimated. Apart from the
effect II must have In deciding the waver-
Ing Dutch OF Cape Colony to throw
IN their lot with the two republics, tho
influence these successive defeats OF the British
will have on the natives Is the most to be
feared. 1t will also call for the most Rrduous
Efforts on the part Of the British Government
| u restore the prestige OF tho British arms.
shattered by a handful OF uncouth farmers
defending their independence. and perhaps
lead to complete revolution In the British
military system.
The details Of General Buffers reverse show
much ;he sumo conditions that attended the
disaster OF Stormberg and the defeat at
Magersionstein. In the attempt 10 force the
passage OF 'the Tugela near Colenso the
artillery was pushed forward to q point
where II was intended It should cover
the passage OF the river by two
fords. There II suddenly received a furi-
Gus FIRE from swarm OF Beers In a con-
cealed position, resulting In NIL the horses
OF two fold batteries and six naval guns being
killed Efforts to extricate the guns failed
and after a fruitess loss OF life a retreat TO
which was injured by Boer shell. were aband-
oned to the enemy, The infantry engaged
suffered heavily. and but for the resistance
offered by the cavalry and an infantry brigade
the retreat Of the force TO Chieveley would have
been cut OF by a Boer commando that had
been pressing its right flank from tho COM
mencement Of the action. Details Of the Brit
ish losses are wanting. but they are said by
Gen. Butler to be severe. There il nothing
direct from Gen. Methuens column, bu, IL
was reported that hghting had been re-
nswed on Tuesday. the result being unknown.
reconnaissance from the Orange River
station toward Ramah. on the border Of the
Free State, discovered a strong force OF Beers
holding the Zoutpan drift across the Orange
River. smart encounter occurred. in which
the British lost officers and 10 men
killed and wounded, and the Beers retired
toward place called Goemansberg.
Gen. French. after driving the Free Staters
from Arundel. has had an encounter with
largo body OF the enemy trying to work its way
round his flank toward Naauw Poort They
were driven back with some loss. hut
their activity shows the danger to
which Gen. French's communications are
exposed. and We shall probably hear Of
some brisk lighting at this part OF the
British line For the moment Gen.
Gatacre's movements appear to be completely
checked while his troops recover from the
effects o. their defeat at StormberR. details OF
which as they come In render II more incom-
prehensible. especially AS the Free State force
holding the position was only 800 strong. be-
Ing the advanced guard OF the force occupying
Burghersdop
In consequence 81 the reports received OF the
great strength Of the forts at Pretoria. It has
been decidei to send out second siege train
from England TO South Africa Roinforcements
q artillery and another division will also he
vided. w.