The San Francisco call., 1899-12-25

L oNDON. Dec. 5.-Christmas morn
ing brings no fresh news from the
seat of war. While the position is
Asomewhat IN the nature OF a dead
lock. each combatant watching the
other. 20 say that the military situation
Is unchanged would perhaps be hardly
correct. When opposing forces remain
facing one another for any length Of time
causes which will ultimate 5 lead TO VIC
tory or defeat. advancement or retirement
Will be all the while at work.
So day by day General Butler at
Chievely, and General Methuen. on the
Modder River. arc receiving reinforce
ments on the other hand. the Beers are,
both on the Tugela River and al Magers-
fontein, continually extending and in
creasing the strength OF their intrench-
ments
Neither side probably will venture any
immediate forward movement To-day
there will in all probability be a truce.
formal or Informal. between the two foes.
The Duke of Connaught has again SUI
fered disappointment He repeated his
former request TO be allowed 20 go 10 the
front. but the Government deemed IL in
Royal Highness thereupon offered his ser
vices O. Lord Roberts as STAFF officer. but
phile the latter was ready 10 avail him
self ~ such devoted cooperation the Gov
ernment felt bound 10 adhere TO its deci-
sion.
Here IN London the feeling as to the
outlook is very hopeful ! met yesterday
a South African millionaire. who. when
saw him some time ago. was very gloomy.
but IS now very cheerful. AS TO the cause
OF the change he said:
TO my mind the situation in South
Africa has altered entirely for the better
one man who has gone out with Lord
Roberts Is a power in himself. I mean
Colonel Henderson. who wrote that stand
ard work upon stonewall Jackson. He
has made a study of the tactics Of Jack
son. which were simply marvellous. and
his experiences in the Civil War Of
America will stand Roberts in good stead.
II Is the science Of harassing the enemy's
communications with irregular cavalry.
England has paid very dearly in order
20 know how 10 fight the Beers. but IL is
felt in England to-day. amid all our re-
verses. that the Beers are going to pay
very dearly for their Christmas festivi-
ties.
What pleases those like myself. who
know the inner workings and ways OF the
Beers. is the sight Of Dr.. Leyds throwing
out feelers 20 France. In that action we
sec direct signs 81 weakness. II shows
that the Beers have had enough and that
they are beginning 10 feel the stress OF
war When I last saw you looked upon
the situation IN a very serious light and
was prepared 20 sell my large mining in
terests. To-day I would not sell a share.
Another sign Of the beginning or the
end is General Cronjes sudden rudeness
20 General Metheun. after a period OF con-
siderable politeness. From this It is APP
s.a=e=. that the victory Of the Beers at
Magersfontein was OF such a nature that
they would not like TO have II repeated.
There Is not the slightest doubt but
that the Beers are firing Of the war. that
grave dissensions exist between the
Transvaalers and the Free Staters. due
20 the former accusing tho latter Of COW
srd!ce: that n many districts Of both re.
publics crops are absolutely rotting. and
that a state OF semi-starvation exists
throughout both countries.
1t - "a TACT fhat the Boers are horribly
disappointed with the war. but still NOR,
dissatisfied with the attitude OF England
and the lack OF support by the opposition
party in this country. Ia the initial part
% the war the Beers felt certain that
they would win. and so they did. They
based all their hopes on England giving
in. and By means OF a quick campaign
gaining something like their own terms.
"England's united attitude to-day has
completely disconnected the Beers In the
huge reinforcements which England is
now sending ont they see the very death
blow Of their ambitions. Taking the situa-
ton all around it is much improved.
Very shortly the Beers will feel Great
Britain's might. and Dr. Leyds viii have
quite fresh proposal OF peace"