Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-21
WAR SPIRIT RISING
Rush of Volunteers to Enlist in
British Army.
SEVERAL PEERS AMONG NUMBER
Forebodings in London Over
Dear1h Of News From Front
TELEGRAM FROM METHUEN

LONDON. December 21.-Tnere was no
news from South Africa up to pm. today.
other than fragments OF disconnected stor-
les of past events This silence is having
the natural effect Of creating forebodngs.
The splendid patriotism of volunteers con-
tinues to be evidenced all sides. The
newspapers note with satisfaction the ef-
feet that this display of British spirit and
evidence of the resources the empire is able
to command is having on continental crit
les. The Westminster Gazette, however.
sounds note of alarm. 1t thinks the mo-
nent is peculiarly unpropitious to send
abroad the home defenders since no one is
quite easy to the effect the proceedings
in South Africa will have on Great Brit
aims European neighbors.
Queen Victoria and Princess Beatrice
went by train from Windsor to Farnhor-
ough this morning, and spent hour with
eN-Empress Eugenie-
Queen Annoyed at Rumors.
The queen has been greatly annoyed by
the Unfounded statements that she is in i'll
health and perpetuaIly weeping. A para
sraph contradictins these stories appears
in the papers. which add that it has never
been her majestys habit to display grief
like a hysterical school girl
Belated stories from Chieveley camp. Ma
tai. all concur in saying the British did
marvels in an impossible situation. The
oldest war correspondents say they never
saw anything comparable with the bravery
of the men and officers. The naval contin-
gent created an immense furore. engaging
the Beers single-handed and hailing shrGp-
mel and lyddite shells on the fortitications
north OF the town. in a vain effort to silence
the murderous fire of the Beers, while the
British forced the passage of the river
The advance OF the ii Brigade along the
read leading to the bridge. in the face of
deadly fusIlade, is described magnificent.
The British forced their way across the
fire zone under a perfect storm of bullets
from the invisible Beers The patter OF the
bullets on the dry plain, 1t is added, raised
the dust like heavy raiadrops on water.
The heat throughout was intense. There
are many stories Of Specia! acts OF bravery.
Several Peers Volunteer.
The Duke OF Marlborough, who is a lieu
tenant in the Oxf,rlshire Yeomanry. and
N.ho has volunteered fer service in South
Africa, will take with him fifteen men ami
horses of his troop. He will personally fur
ush the equipment for these men.
The Earl of Warv lex. the Earl of Dudley.
the Earl of LOldsdale and Niscount Ga.way
are among the Other members of the aris-
tCcracy who have volunteered for service in
the campaign against the Beers.
Telegram From Gen. Methuen.
The war office has received the following
from Cen FOreStit-F- W stlRGF, the BRUSH
commander at Cape Town:
CAPE TOWN. Wednesday. Dec. ~.
"Methuen wires that ne has received
rude reply from Gen. Cronje respecting his
representation as TO Lieut.. Chandos-Pole-
Cell, saying tha- this officer is regarded
a spy. Cen Cronje also states he will hold
no further communication with Methuen."
On December Is the British war office re-
ceived the following dispatch. dated Sun
day December II, from Gen. Forester
Walker:
'Methuen reports that Lieut. Chandos-
Pcle-Gel was taken prisoner last Thurs
day when going to meet d flag of truce. He
was waving his handkerchief in response
and was unarrned-'
Reconnaissance in Boer Territory.
TCLI. Monday, December II. via Louren-
~ MarIuez. Saturday. December 1G.-Col.
Plumer. with a strong accommodating party
OF horsemen. has returned here after
weeks expedition into Transvaal territory
He reached point fifty miles from Peters
burg, in the South African republic but
found no Beers, the country being seem
ingly empty of men
LONDON. December 21.-The Allan line
steamers Laurentian. Partisan and POner-
anian have been chartered by the govern
ment for the purpose of conveying Cana
dian troops to South Africa
CAPE TOWN, December 2I-As a result
of the inquiry into the disaster to the Brit
Ism transport Ismore. which went ashore on
the rocks In St. Helena bay December g.
the captain has had his certificate .us-
pended for six months
The Cunard line steamer Umbria which
arrived here December - from New York
mas @haS also 2een chartered by the British gov
ernnent for use d troop ship
English Spy in Cleveland.
Special Dispatch TO The Evening Star
CLEVELAND Ohio December 21-Jobn
P Hayes. an English spy. Is reported by
the Irish Americans of this city to be here
to gather information concerning the re-
cruisins of soldiers in this part of the
state for service in the Transvaal He cfme
direct from Philadelphia The Boer aid
movement here has become somcwhat for
have the effect of rendering Operations Isss
cons picUCUs.