The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-04
Unconfrmed Report that Lord Methu-
en- Has Recovered and Is Again
on the Warpath.
TRANSPORT IsMORE ASHORE
TROOPS SAFELY LANDED. BUT $50
HORSES PROBABLY LOST.
Beers Reconcentrnting mt ColensO on
Nov. 2S-FarmhousesL Looted by
Gen. JOubert's Men.

LONDON, Dec. 4, 4:30 a. m.-The week
opens without a word or news such as the
British public is anxiously awaiting.
With a larger army in the field than the
country ever before mobilized. it can only
be said that the loss of $500 men, entailed
before the enemy's borders have been
crossed, is serious matter, and while
there Is no feeling Of dependency as to the
eventual result Of the war. it is regretfully
admitted on all sides that the strength Of
the Boer resistance has been woefully un-
derrated. 1t is seen that the attempt
to hold useless position at Mafeking was
a serious tactical mistake, as was also the
endeavor TO keep the large civil population
In Kimberley.
Perhaps the brightest spot for English
readers to-day is the announcement that
President Mckinley has designated the son
of Secretary Hay to succeed Mr.. Macrum in
Pretoria. The Daily Telegraph says: This
appointment is a graceful concession on the
part of the United States government to
British feeling. Our countrymen's interests
will be safe in the hands of the new con-
sui"
South African news is now six days in
arrears. The censorship does not yet per-
NIT details of the Modder river battle to be
transmitted. Some vague statements have
been published I'm the Cape Town papers.
and according to those the Beers numbered
5000 men and were intrenched on both
banks Of the stream, although mostly on
the northern bank. The British, according
to those accounts, drove the enemy across
the river, compelling them to retreat, and
established themselves on both banks.
These details, however are too meagre to
enable an accurate idea of the engagement
to be formed.
A dispatch has reached London announc-
ing that Lord Methuen is again in the field,
and 1t is also said that Count Gleichen, who
was wounded in the fighting at Modder
river. was struck by bullet in the neck.
Serious news comes from the northern
sections Of Cape Colony. The whole bor-
der districts between Colesberg and
Burghersdorp has declared for the Beers.
In venterstadt alone more than 1000 have
Joined the rebellion. The farmers have
formed a communicating committee and
talk confidently of triumphant march on
Cape Town. General Buffers proclamations
have been torn down and trampled upon,
and the loyalists are bsdden to hurry to
Cape Town to prepare coffee for the rebels.
The official list shows that a modification
has been made in the command of the
Sixth division. Instead Of Lieut. Gen. Sir
Charles Mansfield Clarke, the commander
will be Maj. Gen. Thomas Kelly-Kenny,
Inspector general of auxiliary forces and re-
cruiting, with Major General Knox and Ma
jor General Clements as brigade command
ers. General Kelly Kenny has had no South
African experience.
With regard TO Natal, II is still doubtful
whether the bridge over the Tugale at CO.
lenso has been destroyed. There Is a report
that the British drove the Beers off while
attempting to destroy Ii. but the probability
Is that the structure was mined and fired
afterward.
dated Tuesday, Nov. Is. the Beers were then
attempting turning movements from Steyns-
berg and the district north OF Storkstrom
in cooperation with the rebels, by way of
harrisburg and Tarkastad, against Gem
eral Gatacre's column.
The War Office publishes the following
dispatch from Cape Town, dated yesterday:
The transport Ismore is ashore on the
rocks In st. Helena bay. The troops have
been safely landed, but the $50 horses are
still On board. III. M. s. Doris and Niobe.
with the transport Columbian. have gone
TO her assistance.
Colonel Kekewich reports under date of
Nov. 20. that the Bechuanaland police cap
tured the Roer laager west OF Kimberley
Nov. &. Communication by searchlight with
Kimberley has been established from Mod
der river