The Oskaloosa herald., 1900-12-20
WORRY FOR BRITAIN.
Blow Dealt to Her Arms Was a
Crushing One.

49, 49, ~ - -
contains news of one of the most crush
ing disasters TO British arms since the
beginning of the campaign. Coming
ash does on the anniversary of the bat
tie of Colenso there are not a few who
express the fear that the hand of ProY-
idence will be against the English in this
conflict. The incoherent and hysterical
dispatches of Lord Kitchener create
the fear that the situation is much more
alarming than the official reports in
fer. His statement that four companies
of Northumberland fusileers are miss,
ing is generally believed to Ia an that
they have been captured by the Beers.
Kitchener's Message.
London, Dec. 17.-Lord Kitchener's
message to the war Office is as fol-
lows:
Pretoria, Dec. 4.-Clements brought in
his force to Commando Mex, u~nopposed.
The casualties were, 1 regret to say heavy
killed, five officers and nine of other
ranks; missing, IS officers and 55 Of other
ranks. These latter were four companies
of the Northumberland fusileers, who were
stationed on the kill, and some yeomanry
and other details sent up to support them.
Names and nature of wounds are being
telegraphed from Cape Town.
"Broadwood's brigade took no part in the
engagement. The Beers suffered severely.
Knox drove De Wet north to the Thaban-
chu-Ladybrand line, which was held by our
troops. De Vets force, about 5000 strong,
made several attempts to get through dur
ing the day, assisted by a force of Beers
operating from the north. These attacks
were driven back, though some of the Beers
from the south were a HE 70 get through
the line"
Reports Loss TO De Wet.
Wiring later, December IA, Lord
Kitchener reports that while passing
the lines in neighborhood of Thaban.
chu De Vets force lost considerably.
The South African light horse and
Thorneycroft's mounted infantry cap
tured a 15-pounder, taken at De Vets
dorp, a pompon, several wagons with
ammunition, 22 prisoners and some
horses and mules. A portion Of the
enemy has not been able to pass
north.
Under date of December IS Lord
Kitchener reports to the war Office from
Pretoria as follows:
elements has come to see me. He says
that four companies of the Northumber-
lands held out on the hill as long as their
ammunition lasted. The Boer force at
lacking the hill was 1000 strong, while an
other force Of 1000 attacked Clements
camp. BY $50 a. n. the hill was carried.
Reenforcements Of one company of the
Yorkshlres failed to reach the top. Glenn.
ents' retirement was carried out with regu-
larity, but, as many native drivers bolted,
a considerable amount of transportation
was lost. All their ammunition not taken
away was destroyed. He reports that all
behaved well.
JOubert's Son Killed.
'Broadwood has gone to Rustenberg and
supports ELEPHANTS Mex, which has beer
reinforced. A flag of truce, which has conn
into Commando Mex, from the Beers, says
Joubert's son was killed, and further re-
ports their losses as heavy"
Confirms Worst Fears.
Gen. Kitchener's supplementary dis
patch referring to the disaster at the
Magaliesberg confirms Fridays most
tic fears and demonstrates
le catastrophe Is among the
worsb 7of the war. The matter was
brought up in the house of commons
Saturday, but the secretary for war,
MI. William st. John Brodrick, had no
information to add, except that the
wounded numbered six officers and As
men.
Attack on Butler.
The newspapers see prearrange-
ment in the recrudescence OF Boer ac-
tivity everywhere, the object being to
strengthen Mr.. Kruger's hands, while
the fact that the news of the fresh
disaster comes on the anniversary OF
the battle of Colenso furnishes the
editors with an excuse to demand the
head of Gen. Butler. The st. James
Gazette declares it has reason to
credit the National Reviews recent
statement that Butler, after his first
failure to drive the Beers from the
Tugela, counseled Gen. White to sur
render Ladysmith.
The st. James Gazette holds Butler
alone blameable for the disasters OF
the Tugela campaign, and says:
when comparable blunders occurred in
the navy a court-martia melted out jus
tice. Why, therefore. should not the same
rule hold good in the army2"
In contrast with the apparent in
sufieiency of the troops to master the
situation in South Africa comes a rev.
elation of the military resources at
home still at the disposition of the
government in Saturdays announce
ment that 10000 troops viii be sent
from Aldershot to London to partici-
pate in Lord Roberts triumphal entry
January 8.
Needs More Men and Money.
The London military experts declare
with one voice that the extraordinary
activity of the Beers just now is occa-
stoned by a desire to make a strong
showing in the field in order to assist
President Kruger in his European ne
gotiations. On the other hand, how
ever, there is a growing conviction
that many more soldiers win be needed
in South Africa before the war can be
brought TO a close. That money and
men will be expended until Great Brit
ain has accomplished her purpose goes
without saying, but it is daily more APP
parent how utterly weary the nation
Is of the ~inglorious struggle.
Lord Kitchener, 1t is feared, will find
that 100000 men are not enough to cope
with the difficulties besetting him. He
is said to have peremptorily demanded
that the imperial government dispatch