The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-12-21
THE SITUATION
GROWING WORSE
Beers Are Strengthening Their Already
Formidable Position.
ALARM FELT IN LONDON
Nothing Heard from General Methuen
Since Sunday.
ROBERTS ARRIVES AT WAR OFFICE
Favorite Commander of Tommy Ad-
kins" Feels Hopeful of His Success
in South Africa-Kind Words
for the United States

London, December 21.-(4:45 a. m.)-The
becoming accentuated in the public mind,
owing to the complete absence of news
Nothing has been heard from General
Methuen since Sunday, and it is feared that
his communications have been cut. If this
be so, his position is dangerous.
A correspondent of the Daily News. tele-
graphing from Modder River last Saturday,
says:
1.-THE Boer position, already formidable on
December Il, has since been greatly
strengthened, extending for an area of
twelve miles. 1t is entrenched according
to the most modern methods throughout
dts entire length, wire fences having been
placed before all the trenches at every
point, guns have been got into position, and
there is every evidence that the Beers are
we'll supplid with ammunition. Only
powerful attacking force can hope to make
successful assault"
The Times in an article from the Penoa
military expert, laments the dispersion of
the British forces, quotes the maxim OF
Napoleon in favor of concentration and re-
grets that Lord Methuen did not retire to
Orange River week ago.
The latest dispatches received seem to
show that the British forces are standing
on the defensive at all points. General Bull
ler is ordering the troops now arriving at
Capetown to proceed to Durham to reinforced
the Natal column. Absence of news from
him has led to surmise that he is trying
to join General White by flank move
ment.
A. j. Balfour, in his unofficial capacity,
has written to the Earl of Haddington,
dwelling upon the Importance of the move
ment to raise yeomanry of volunteer forces
for South Africa. He suggests and offers
to assist public fund to augment the nec
essariy limited allowance made to the men
by the government for equipment.
Appeals Responded to
The appeals for yeomanry and volunteers
are being responded to with the greatest
enthusiasm in all parts of the country. Lord
Wolsely proposes that the force be raised
by the lord mayor of London, and be called
tho "City of London Imperial Volunteers"
The government expects the total of yeo-
manry and volunteers to reach 5000. Baron
Chesham will command with Lord Ions
dale as adjutant general. The papers are
now generally joining in free criticism of
the government and the war, as day by
day fresh pro1Ss of unpreparedness come
to light. Special stress is laid upon the fail
ure to provide proper transports, which
compels the columns to stick tight to rail-
ways, and upon the inferiority of the Brit
ish artillery.
The Australian colonies are responding
eagerly to the imperial governments ap-
peal for second cont.ngents.
IT is reported that the queen will abandon
her proposed visit to Italy in consequence
OF the war.
One of the results of the coal famine fp
the Sheffield district indirectly arising out
of the war, is that several important steel
firms are not able to get coal even from
their own collieries a few days distant
They will sue the railway companies for
non-delivery of coal.