The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1899-12-30
MAY PR0L0NG WAR
CHAMBERS BREAKS OUT IN BOEE
AND BRITISH CAMPS.
Disease I" I'ke', to spread Much
More Rapidly'e Among British
Horses Than Among Hardened
boer Ponie"-Boer Position a
e Being Observation-Disclosures
Seems More AnxiOus to Keep the
Enemy at Hay Than to Advance
Dutch DixnficctiOn IL Assuming
Serious Proportions.

London. Dec. %. y Up to this hour
nothing has arrived from South Africa
that would Indicate any change in the
military situation there. The war of.
flee is issuing lists of. further deaths
and wounded, as we'll as OF
sickness. The most serious report OF
the last class is that horse sickness has
broken out in both British and Boe1
camps in Natal. -Four hundred British
cavalry horses, it is said, have already
been shot owing to the occurrence Of
CHAMBERS. The disease is likely to
spread with much greater rapidity
among the British horses than among
the hardened Boer ponies, and this
may mean Il considerable prolongntion
Of the campaign.
A dispatch from C%hieveley, dated
Tuesday. Dec. 10. says: The British
naval guns have destroyed the Colrnso
foot bridge, thus preventing the Beers
holding any position south of the TIL
gela river. The enemy are taking
fresh positions on the eastern side near
the Bocr camp. The Bocr position 1T
Frere is being strengthened. The TIL
gela river is rising and there is Il pros-
pect, of heavy rains. A two-hour bonn
bardment or Ladysmi1h has been heard
from here. According to reliable native
reports the Beers had 200 killed in the
fight at Colenso."
The news that the Colenso footbridye
had been destroyed seems to show that
Gen. Butler is more ANXIOUS to keep the
enemy at bay than to attempt Il further
advance. Despite the severity of the
situation here. hints are being contin-
tlally received of the serious spread of
Dutch disafection in both the Queens
town district of Cape Colony and Ma
tai. A correspondent of the Daily Mail
at accommodating says: ''rhc. OK
tent OF Dutch diSatfectiOn should make
the imperial authorities realize the
magnitude of the task before Them
Ihere are uncOnfirmed reports from
Cape Town that Gen. Sir Charles War
rem commanding the Fifth division,
mas returned there. The Times makes
the Following announcement: I'VE are
informed that the government has de-
clded that it is not desirable to make
1urther demands upon the Eurnpcau
garrison III India unless unforeseen Diff
ticulties arise"
An undated photographic message
from L~adysmitE. by way of Pietermar-
ltzburg represents the garrison as in
no way daunted by Gen. Buffers re-
verse as Colenso and as confident of
being able to hold IL indefinitely.
The action Of the United States 10Y
eminent causes considerable discussion
regarding the c%ontraband question as
affecting Dclagoa Bay and Portugal.
Widely divergent opinions are en-
pressed. The Daily Graphic. in an ed
ltorial on the subject. says: 1--WE be.
lieve that every provision has been
made in British treaties with tho Unit
ed States for. dealing with this matter.
In the special circumstances of the
present war the government is bound
to regard food as c%ontraband. No
doubt the question can be Satisfactorily
settled by paying compensation for the
seizures of American flour. The only
question of neutrality. however. is
more serious. and Great Britain's duty
is to have the Lourenso Marques
F%ransvaal railway watched by capable
agents and to warm Portugal that she
will be held liable in damages for as
sistance to the Beers, by means of the
galway"
The first batch of Boer prisoners has
arrived IN England. 1t is announced
that the government has accepted an
oHer or q squadron of Canadian rough
.iders.