Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-26

COLENsO FOOT-BRIDGE GONE.

Advance.

Advance.
LONDON, December 26.-i.3O a. Mp
to this hour nothing has arrived from
South Africa that would indicate any
change in the military situation there.
The War Office is issuing lists Of further
deaths and wounded, as we'll as accounts
of sickness The most serious report IN
the last class is that horse sickness has
broken out in both British and Boer
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 hardy
Boer ponies, and this may mean a con-
siderable prolongation OF the campaign.
Horse sickness in Africa generally APP
pears during the latter part OF January
and lasts three months. The present out
break is unusually early.
Dispatches from Chieveley, dated Tues
day. the 18Th. say:
"The British naval guns have destroyed
the Coienso foot-bridge. thus preventing
the Beers from holding any position south
Of the Tugela river.
THE TCGEIA RISING.
The British position AT Frere is being
strengthened The Tugcla river is rising,
ard there is prospect Of heavy rains.
"A two-hour bombardment OF Lady
smith has been heard from here. Accord
ing TO reliable native reports, the Beers
had 2o0 Killed in the night at Colenso.'
The news that the Colenso foot-bridge
had been destroyed seems 20 show that
General Butler IS more anxious TO keep
the enemy at bay than to attempt d iur-
Their advance.
DUTCH UIsAFFECTION SPREADING.
Despite the severity of the censorship
hints are being continually received 0f ihe
serious spread of Dutch d.sanecuon in
both the queenstown District of cape
Colony and Natal
A CORRESPONDENT of the Daily Mail at
Pictermaritzburg says. THE extent or
of Dutch aisanecron should make the Inn
uerial authorities realize the magnitude
of the task before them.
"There are unconhrmed reports from
Cape Town that General Sir Charles
WaIr4.. commanding ,he Fifth Division
has returned there.
"Commandant Demelon, who was taken
prisoner and brought 10 SimOnstoWn,
where he was confined ON the British
cruiser Penelope, has succeeded in max
ing his escape
The Times this morning makes the fol-
lowing announcement:
I've are informed that the government
has decided chat 10 is not desirable 10
make further demands upon the Eu-
ropean garrison in India. unless unfore-
seen difficulties arise
LADYsMITH CHEERFUL
An undated heliograph message from
Iadyemith. By way of Pietermartzburg,
represents the garrison as in no way
daunted by General Buffers reverse at
COlenso. and as confident OF being able
TO hold out indefinitely
The Times correspondent says: ut Us
impossible TO evade the opinion that IT
British gunners were In Boer positions
the loss of life and damage % property
in Ladysmith would be ten times great
er"
The holidays have brought no surcease
of recruiting activity. Lord Salisbury's
private secretary Mr.. Schomberg Mae
Donald. has volunteered for service.
CONTRABAND QUESTION.
The action of the United States Gov
eminent causes considerable discussion.
regarding tine contraband question as
affecting DelagOa bay and Portugal.
Widely divergent opinions are expressed
The Daily Graphic in am editorial on the
subject. SAYS. I'VE believe that every pro-
vision has been made I'm British treaties
with the United States for dealing with
this matter. IN the special circumstances
Of the present war ihe government IS
bound to regard food as cOntraband. No
doubt the question can be satisfactorily
settled by paving compensation for the
seizures of American flour
NEUTRALITY.
"The question of neutrality is more Sc
rious. and Great Brtain's duty is to have
the Lourenzo Marques-Transvaal railway
watched by capable agents and 10 warn
Portugal that she will be held liable I'm
damages for assistance TO the Beers by
means Of the railway"
The Morning Post on the contrary, ar
CUES that the government would be mad
10 treat food as contraband as "such
action would play into the hands Of all
possible future enemies of Great Britain"
SEARCH OF VESSELS.
II admits. however that steps should
be taken and money expended TO search
vessels. and 10 prevent munitions of war
from entering the Transvaal, 10y way OF
Portuguese territory.
Tho standard SAYS eve do not doubt
chat this matter is receiving the govern
ments serious attention. As the campaign
developcs IL may become necessary 20
seize the railroad at Komau Poort-"
FIRST BOER PRISONERS IN ENG
LAND.
The first batch Of Boer prisoners mas
arrived i'm England.
II il announced that the government
has accented another offer of a squadron
of Canadian Rough Riders.