The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-12-26
DUTCH DISAFFECTI0N.
England Is Warned of the
Spread of the Uprising.
HEAVY SMELLING OF LADYsMITH.

HEAVY SMELLING OF LADYsMITH.
Bombardment Increasing In Severity.
British Destroy the Colenso Foot Bridge.
Beers Taking Up Fresh Positions Near
to General Buller-Glanders Spreading.
LONDON, Dec. 26.-Nothing has ar
rived from South Africa that would in
dictate any change in the military situa-
ton there. The war office is issuing
lists of further deaths and wounded, as
well as accounts Of sickness. The most
serious report of the last class is that
horse sickness has broken out i'll both
British and Boer camps in Natal.
Four hundred British cavalry horses,
it is said, have already been shot, ow
ing to the occurrence of CHAMBERS. The
disease is likely to spread with much
greater rapidity among the British
horses than among the hardy Boer
ponies, and this may mean a consider
able prolongation of the campaign.
A dispatch from Chieveley dated Tues
day, Dec. 10, says: "The British naval
guns have destroyed the Colenso foot
bridge, thus preventing the Beers hold
ing any position south of the Tugela
river. The enemy is taking up fresh
positions on the eastern side, nearer the
British camp. The British position at
Frere is being strengthened. The Tu-
gela river is rising and there is a pros
pect of heavy rains. A two-hour bonn
bardment of Ladysmith has been heard
from here. According to reliable ma
tive reports the Beers had 200 killed in
the fight at Colenso"
The news that the Colenso foot bridge
has been destroyed seems to show that
General Butler is more anxious to keep
the enemy at bay than to attempt a
further advance.
Despite the severity of the censorship,
hints are being continually received Of
the serious spread of Dutch disaffection
in both the Queenstown districts Of
Cape Colony and Natal. A correspond
ent of the Daily Mail at Pietermaritz-
burg says: "The extent of Dutch disaf-
lection should make the imperial author
tiles realize the magnitude of the task
before them"
There are unconfr1ned reports from
Cape Town that General Sir Charles
Warren, commanding the Fifth divi-
sion, has returned there
Commandant Demeillon, who was
taken prisoner at Elandslaagte and
brought to Simonstown, where he was
confined on the British cruiser Penelope,
has succeeded in making his escape.
The Times makes the following an
nouncement: eve are informed that
the government has decided that it is
not desirable to make further demands
upon the European garrison in India
unless unforeseen difficulties arise. >:
An undated heiliograph message from
Ladysnith, by way OF Pietermaritzburg
represents the garrison as in no way
daunted at General Buffers reverse at
Colenso and as confident Of being able
to hold out indefinitely.
Superiority of Boer Artillery.
The mails are just arriving from
Ladysmith. All the correspondents
comment bitterly upon the superiority
of the Boer artillery The Times CORE
spondent says: sit is impossible to
evade the opinion that if British gun
ners were in the Boer positions the loss
OF life and damage to property in Lady
smith would be ten times greater
The holidays have brought no sur
cease OF recruiting activity. Lord
Compton will raise corps of mounted
men. Lord Salisbury's private secre-
tary, Schomburg Mcdonnell, who is a
volunteer officer, has volunteered for
service.
The action of the United States gov.
eminent causes considerable discussion
regarding the contraband question as
affecting Delagoa bay and Portugal.
Widely divergent opinions are ex-
pressed. The Daily Graphic, in an edi-
torial on the subject, says: "We believe
that every provision has been made in
British treaties with the United States
for dealing with this matter. In the
special circumstances of the present war
the government is bound to regard food
as contraband. No doubt the question
can be satisfactorily settled by paying
compensation for the seizures of Amer
lean flour. The question of neutrality,
however, is more serious, and Great
Britain's duty is to have the Lourenzo
Marquez-Transvaal railway watched by
capable agents and to warn Portugal
that she will be held liable in damages
for assistance to the Beers by means of
the railway"
The first batch of Boer prisoners has
arrived in England. 1t is announced
that the government has accepted an
other offer of a squadron of Canadian
rough riders.
Queen Spends Day With Children.
LONDON, Dec. 26.-For the first time
in 10 years Queen Victoria and the royal
family passed Christmas at Windsor.