The record-union., 1899-12-03
Very Little News From the Seat Of
War in South Africa,
Except Dispatch Giving the British Losses
at Modder River.
The Boer Forces Said to be Concen-
trating at Spytfortein, Where
the Final Battle Before Kimber-
ley is Relieved is Expected to
Take Place.

LONDON, Dec 2.-The meagre dis
patch giving list of the British casu-
alties at Modder River, and announc-
ing the bare fact that Lord Methuen
is still there awaiting reinforcements,
is only supplemented by a brief mes
sage from Cape Town tonight stating
that the Beers destroyed the bridge
over the Modder River before the bat
tie, and are now concentrating at Spyt-
fontein, where the final battle before
Kimberley is relieved is expected to
take place
The censor has apparently stopped
all press messages from the front re-
lating to the battle, which is not re-
garded as a favorable Indication. AS
to the material results of General
Methuen's engagements, it is not
yet clear whether General Meth
uen's force actually crossed the
Modder River, os is still awaiting the
rebuilding of the bridge before the
artillery and cavalry can cross. In any
case the railway must be carried over
the bridge before the indispensable big
naval guns can pass, because Lord
they were worked on trucks along the
railroad. 1t is a significant fact that
Lord Methuen's cable makes no mem
ton of the Boer loss, which therefore
is assumed to be small.
atch from Cape Town this
evening says Lord Methuens advance
undouhts ily is beginning to affect the
Boer strategy, and probably explains
the withdrawal from Moot River The
continued presence of commands in
Cape Colony tends to confirm the opin-
ion that the Beers are making desper-
ate efforts to recruit their forces from
the Dutch residents.
While it is impossible to obtain exact
statistics, it is absolutely certain that
the disaffected Dutch have Joined the
Beers in great numbers, which are still
increasing. Most of the recruits are
young men, General Buffers message
clearly indicating that the punishment
for disloyalty has deferred the actual
holders of farms from joining the
Beers through fear of confiscation of
their property. There are now clear
proofs that the loyalty of the border
Dutch is unable to withstand the prox-
unity of Boer commands. The rest
of the Colony is apparently quiet, but
there is strong undercurrent of sym
pathy for the Beers.
The outlook regarding Cape Colony,
however, may be regarded as hopeful
The Beers, as well as the British,
underestimate the strength of their
opponents and every engagement has
evidently tended to establish a hearty
rlspaot for Topop,v Atkins
BRITISH LOSSES AT MODDER
RIVER.
LONDON, Dec. 2-As surmised. the
British dead and wounded at the hard
fought battle of Modder River number
hundreds. The War Department to-
day gave out the information that the
total number of casualties was 43e and
the number of killed was seventy
three.
The revised list of Modder River
casualties, mono commissioned officers
and men is divided as follows: Ninth
Lancers, one wounded; engineers two
wounded: artillery, three killed, %
wounded; Second Coldstreams, 10 kill
ed, 80 wounded; Third Grenadiers, 9
Killed, 80 wounded, 4 missing; Scots
Guards, 10 killed, 81 wounded l miss
ing; tNorniuhreh--S fwen-tycat ,fihi-u
ing; Northumberland Fusiieers. II kill
ca. 81 wounded, First Northumberland
3 wounded; Second Yorkshire, 9 killed,
A wounded; First North ncashire,
3 killed, IA wounded; Argyle and Suth-
erland Highlanders, - killed %
wounded, 2 missing; First Coldstreams,
20 wounded; South African reserve, l
wounded; medical corps, l wounded.
From General Forestier-W Walkers dis
patch it is proved that all reports of
General Methuen's advance after the
Aattle of Modder River were prema-
ture, though with the railroad working
he should not be long in construct
ing a temporary bridge. His enforced
delay doubtless will be of considerable
service in giving his hard pushed
column needful rest. and in allowing
the arrival of reinforcements, of which
he must be sorely in need after three
such fights, placing hors de combat up
ward of thousand men out of less
than seven thousand.
General Forester Walker announces
that the Canadian marksmen and other
achievements have been pushed for
ward to the neighborhood of the Orange
River to protect General Methuens
line of communication, has relieved
much anxiety here. where IT was fully
expected the Beers would attempt to
attack the vulnerable points of the line
of communication.
The latest news from Natal indicates
that the bulk of the Ladysmith relief
force has arrived at Frere, though there
is considerable conjecture as to the
whereabouts of General Cleary, whose
have not been chronicled
recently. It is surmised in some quar-
tiers that he may reappear in a totally
quarter, on the flank or rear
of Grobelaars kloof, north of Tugela
River. AS General Hildyard's advance
guard was in touch with the Beers
as long ago as Tuesday last, develop
ments should not be long delayed.
Dundonald's mounted force on No
yenber 2Sth, accompanied by four
guns. went in pursuit of body Of
Beers returning to Colenso. They fol-
<wed the Beers to within two and
half miles Of Colenso, when the Beers
replied to the British shells with long
range guns. There were no casualties.
Another detachment of 5000 British
troops sailed for South Africa to-day.