The record-union., 1899-12-23
BsIated Dispatches Which Have
Been Received at London


That Ladysmith Can Hold Out
Several Weeks Longer. and
Fears Are Entertained That It
Was Circulated by the Beers
for Their Own Purposes.
LONDON, Dec. 23.-(4:45 a. m-)-Be-
lated South African dispatches throw
no light on the present situation at the
seat of war. There is no confirmation
of the report that Ladysmith could hold
out several weeks longer, and it is fear
ed that this was circulated by the Beers
for their own purposes. 1t is hoped
that Winston Churchill, having arrived
safely at Delagoa Bay, will soon be
heard from regarding conditions in the
Transyaal, as he must have obtained
important information.
A Cape Town dispatch, dated Sun
day, December 18th, reports that Com
mandant Diedricks of the Boer forces
was killed in a reconnoiter engagement,
but no details are given. Advices from
Naauwpoort describe everything as
quiet there, and the only fresh news
from Arundel concerns the weather
which is excessively hot.
The DAILY Telegraph has a special
from Chiveley, dated December 10th,
which tells how Lieutenant Roberts,
son of Lord Roberts, fell at Tugela
River. 1t says:
ssThe horses of the Fourteenth and
Sixty-sixth Batteries had been killed,
and Lieutenant Roberts, Captain Scho-
field and Captain Congreve of the Rifles
attempted with gun volunteers to drag
out the guns. Captain Schofield sue
ceeded, helped by Corporal, and some
men, Lieutenant Roberts was hit by
shell. Captain Congreve was struck
and wounded slightly.
after awhile Captain Congreve, Cap
tain Foster and Major Baptie brought
Lieutenant Roberts from the open into
little ravine, where he lay hidden
from the enemy's terrible fire.
Fourteen gunners, sixteen men or
the Devonshire regiment and - men
were with Colonel Bullock, when the
retirement was ordered. These rlen,
with isolated parties of Devonshires
and Scots Fusileers, together with some
of the Queens, were cut off and cap
tured. Many fought until late in the
afternoon, a part of the Irishmen run
ming the gauntlet of the Boer Mausers
from hiding places along the river
bank. ssrsss@
cat D. m. forty Beers approached
the abandoned guns. On espying Colo
mel Bullock, Captain Congreve and the
others in the ravine. they called upon
the British to surrender. Colonel Bull
lock declined, and threatened TO shoot,
although his party had only four rifles.
The Beers retired from the guns, and
parley ensued Then hundred Beers
rode up within a few yards of the
party, but Colonel Bullock swore he
would not be made a prisoner, where
upon a Boer knocked him down with
rifle butt.
"Afterward the enemy gave our
wounded water and cordials. Then,
having taken all their arms, ammuni-
ton and field glasses, they let them
return by our ambulances. Colonel Bull
lock, Colonel Hunt, Major Walter and
Captain Goodwin were taken prisoners.
The Scots Fusileers lost nearly two
companies captured"
A dispatch to the DAILY Mail'' from
Chiveley, dated December 18th. esti-
mated the casualties in General Buffers
,
ing. 1t announces that "a portion of
the British troops have returned to
Frere."
A correspondent of the Associated
Press at Modder River, under date of
December 18th, describing the changes
in the art of warfare, says:
cit would be almost impossible to
take such a position as Masersfontein
~
to the length of rifle range, will last
six days, where formerly it would have
only lasted a few hours. The Beer
trenches, which are rather like under
ground dwellings than trenches. always
promise safe means of retreat. They
are very wide and deep, and are case
mated at intervals, allowing the con-
centration of the defenders at any
given point without danger to them
selves. The British here are anxious
that the Beers should attack them, and
the belief is prevalent that treachery
is largely responsible for the unleresti-
mate placed on the Roer forces by the
cavalry scouts"
The Chiveley correspondent of the
Standard" who attributes the whole
disaster involved in General Buffers
repulse to the mistake of Colonel Long
in taking the artillery in too close to the
river. says: Colonel Long fired for
ninety minutes, and simply exhausted
his ammunition"
The War Office has issued an official
warning against British subjects or
foreigners in British territory trading
with or supplying the Boer republic,
either directly or indirectly, with any
kind of merchandise whatsoever This
| is regarded as showing that the Gov
ernment has good evidence of such
traffic, and that even some English
firms have been supplying the enemy,
perhaps Internationally, through for-
eign consignees.
1t is announced that two battalions
of the Guards will be included in the
Eighth Division
| Lord Kitchener will join Lord Rob-
erts at Gibraltar. The Earl of Enroll
hereditary Lord High Constable of
Scotland, will accompany the Com
| mander-in- Chief in special service.
The Earl of Derby is raising a corps
| of Volunteers in Lancashire.
Victor Christian Cavendish, member
of Parliament for West Derbyshire, and
| heir apparent of the Duke of Devon
| shire, has volunteered to go to the
| front.
The Cape Town correspondence the
ssTimes," under date of December 18th,