THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 51, 21 December 1899, Page 20

THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

The position in South Africa during the past week has become grave, but there ia nothing to be alarmed about. The Boers are occupying certain strategic points which they will not vacate until driven out of them. As there is no likelihood of an advance on their part, matters will remain as they are until the British commanders find they have sufficient forces at hand to drive the enemy back.

The British column for the relief of Kimberley met with a serious reverse in the early part of last week. Early on Monday morning Lord Methuen's forces, with six howitzers, enfiladed the enemy's trenches at Magersfontein, near Spytfontein, on the western frontier. General Cronje commanded the enemy. The Highland Brigade attacked at daybreak the south end of the kopje occupied by the enemy. The British troops hell their ground until dusk, the position extending six miles. The fight continued all next day, and on Tuesday evening the British force had to retire to the Modder River, the enemy occupying their entrenchments. The London newspapers described Lord Methueu's repulse as the most serious of the war. The Highlanders suffered very severely. Two hundred of them were mowed down in attempting to drive the enemy from their entrenchments. The Black Watch on reforming af .er the terrible onslaught mustered only 160 men. The total of the British loss throughout the engagement was 833 killed and wounded, including 703 officers and men belonging the Highland Brigade, and of this latter number 69 were officers. The Boer losses were estimated in killed and wounded at 2000 men. Major-General Wauchope was shot close to the Boer trenches.

It is estimated that General Cronje's force has now reached 20,000.

General Buller met with a serious reverse at Chievely, between Estcourt and Colenso, on Friday last. He moved with his full strength to Chievely early on Friday morning, intending to force the passage of the river. Finding that it was impossible to carry out his intention he was compelled to withdraw, but not until some of the brigades suffered dreadfully. Ten guns were abandoned, and out of 12,000 troops engaged it is reported that 82 were killed, 337 are missing, and 667 were wounded, including Lieutenantcolonel Long and the Hon. F. Roberts, son of Lord Roberts, who were both dangerously injured, and 37 other officers. Out of 37 officers wounded at Chievely 26 of them are seriously hurt. Lord Roberts' son has since succumbed to his wounds.

According to the Times, Sir Charles Warren replaces Lord Metbuen in charge of the Kimberley relief column, while MajorGeneral Tucker succeeds General Gatacre in command of the column near Stormberg.

To show that the Home authorities realise the gravity of the situation, Lord Roberts has been appointed Commander-in-Chief in South Africa, with Lord Kitchener as Chief of Staff. They have also summoned the remainder of the reserves. The despatch of the 7th division is forthwith ordered. Cavalry and artillery reinforcements will be prepared forthwith, including a howitzer brigade. They further authorise General Buller to raise local mounted corp >, and will allow 12 militia battalions to volunteer for service outside the kingdom, and embody an equivalent militia for home service. A strong force of yeomanry volunteers for service will be enrolled. They have decided to accept the offers of the colonies of farther troops, especially of mounted contingents. The official report of the tonal British casualties to date gives the following figures :—Killed, 728; wounded, 2784; prisoner*, \