The age-herald., 1900-12-16
BRITISH LOSS
 WAS VERY HEAVY Most PGssimistiC Views Confirm ed by Ki'ehener's Dispatch 19 OFFICERS AND 555 MEN Among the Captured Were the Northumberland FusiIeers CLEMENTS HAS REACHED PRETORIA He Says the Four Companies of the "Fighting Fifth" Held Out On
 the Hill Till Their Amnu-
 milton Gave Out.
Among the Captured Were the
 Northumberland FuSiIeers
CLEMENTS HAS REACHED PRETORIA

London, December 15.-General Kitche- ner's supplementary dispatch referring to the disaster at Magaliesberg confirms yes- terday's most pessimistic fears and demons strates that the catastrophe is among the worst of the war.
 The matter was brought up in the House of Commons today, but the secretary of War, Mir. S. J. Brody, had no information to add, except that the wounded numbered six officers and fifty-fve men.
 Lord Kitchener reports that eighteen of ficers and 555 men are missing from General Clements force. They consist of four com- panies of the Northumberland Fusileers.
 Judging from the message these were captured by the Boers.
 Clements casualties December 13 amounted to five officers and nine men killed and many apparently wounded,
 Following is Lord Kitchener's message to the war office:
 'l retoria, December 4.-Clements brough in his force to Commando-Nek un- opposed. The casualties were I regret to say heavy-killed five officers and nine of other ranks; missing eighteen officers and 555 of other ranks. These latter were four companies of the Northumberland Fusi- leers, who were stationed on the hill and some yeomanry and other details sent up to support them. Names and nature of wounds being telegraphed from Cape- town.
 "Broadwood's brigade took no part in the engagement. The Boers suffered severely. Knox drove Dewet north to the Thaban- chu-Ladybrand line, which was held by our troops Dewet's force, about 5000 strong, made several attempts to get through dur ing the day, assisted by a force of Boers operating from the north. These attacks were driven back, though some of the Bo- CTS south were able 10 get through tho line"
 Dewet's Force Lost Heavily.
 Wiring later, December 14 Lord Kitchen CT reports that while passing the lines in tne neighborhood of ThaDanchu, Dewet's force lost considerably. The South African light horse and Thornycrafts mounted in- fantry captured 15-pounder, taken at De- wetsdorp, pompom, several wagons with ammunition, twenty-two prisoners and some horses and mules. A portion of the enemy has not been able to pass north.
 The newspapers see the pre-arrangement in the recrudescence of Boer activity every where, the object being to strengthen MT. Kruger's hands, while the fact that the news from the fresh disaster comes the anniversary of the battle of Colenso fur nishes the editors with a demand for the head of General Butler. The St. James Ga- zette declares it has reason to credit the National Reviews recent statement that after Butler failed in his first attempt to drive the Boers from Tugela, counselled General White to surrender Lady smith.
 The Other Disasters.
 The St. James Gazette holds Butler alone blamabe for the disasters of the Tugela campaign, and says: When comparable blunders occurred in the navy court-mag- tial meted out justice. Why, therefore, should not the same rule hold good in the army?'
 The public apparently is little affected by the fresh troubles. Soldiers are still eager to go to South Africa, the news from the Magaliesburg having resulted in offers from volunteer regiments to proceed to the front
 In contrast with the apparent insufi- ciency of the troops to master the situation in South Africa comes a revelation of the military resources at home still al the 'iis- position of the government in todays an- nouncement that 4G,000 troops viii be sent from Aldershot to London to participate in Lord Roberts triumphal entity on Janu- ary g.