The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-27

OF the parliament is said to be recruiting
! for the Beers. In addition wealthy farm
ers are now aiding the invaders.
| The newspapers continue actively to dis
cuss aud criticse the management, or
rather msmanagement, of the campaign.
The advent of horse sickness throws in
creased attention on the condition of the
| transports and the want of wagons which
may tie the British forces to the railways.
The Daily Chronicle says Plenty OF
wagons could he obtained from the United
States. but the government with very in
discreet patriotism. has refused to avail
themselves Of the opportunity. 1t would
have been better If the authorities had
followed Lord Kiteheners example at
Athara bridge. Will they even now apply
to the American factories?"
The Times, editorially. attacks the adj
ministration of the war, calling attention
to correspondence disclosing "Glaring de
fects" and declaring that the British army
is being managed for the benefit of the
war office and not of the nation
Dispatches from various points indl
cate the steady growth of the Dutch dis
affection. The Capetown q. correspondent
of the Daily Chronicle reports the dis
covery OF a plot to conriye al the escape
of Boer prisoners. The Times advises
stern treatment of the disanected Dutch
colonists and the enforcement of the pen
alties Of treason against persons and
property.
The Sixteenth Larcers will go to South
Africa from India at the special request
OF Lord Roberts, even after the govern
ment had decided that no more troops
should be withdrawn from India.
The war office has nominated Sir Will
liam Stokes as consulting surgeon to the
South African forces. He win leave Dub
lin for the Cape in a few days.
Lord Somerset writes to the Times urg-
ing the seizure of Lourenzo Marquee and
Its retention. if necessary, until the end
of the war. in order to prevent the land
ing of war material for the Beers.
The transport Tantallon Castle has ar
rived at Capetown with a number OF
howitzers and quick 6rers which General
Butler urgently needs The government
has chartered the Lake Erie of the New
Elder Dempster and company line, which
was built for the Canadian mail service.
She is vessel OF 10000 tons.
The recruiting of British colonists in
Cape Colony is actively proceeding. Thir-
ty thousand are already under arms and
several thousand more vii be added
Dispatches from Modder River dated
Thursday December q, report that inter
mittent firing was continued on both sides,
although the Boer shells fell short.
number of Free State burghers had sur
rendeIed. There Is an unconfrmed re-
port that Canadian picket was cut OFT
near Belmont. II Is also assorted that |
fever is raging among the Beers.
The tests of wireless telegraphy at Mod
der River have been highly successful,
communication over distance Of seventy /,
miles being perfectly established. SIX
Marconi instruments, intended for the
Beers, rave been seized at Capetown.
A dispatch from Cheveley camp, dated
Thursday. December 81 says. "Lyddite
shells are daily thrown into the Boer camp I
% prevent them from working at the !
trenches The firing Of big guns is heard |
daily from the direction OF Ladysmith'
Commandant Demillon, who was cap
tured at Glands Laagte and brought to 81
where he succeeded in making
his escape from the British cruiser Pence
lope has been recaptured.