Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-12-21
Nothing is Heard by London
From South Africa UP to
Three O'clock Today.
THE SILENCE is OMINOUS
Il Creates Forebodings Col. Plumer
with a Strong Party of Horse, Rec
turns From Scouting Expedi-
zion Into Enemy's Country.

.
London, Dec. 21.-(By Associated
Press There has been no news from
South Africa up to 3 o'clock p. m. to-
day, other than fragments of discon-
nected stories about past events. This
silence is having the effect of creating
forebodings.
Col. PIumer Returns.
Tuli, Dec. 11.-(By Associated Press)
Colonel Plumer, with strong body
of reconnoitering horsemen, has re-
turned here after a weeks expedition
into the Transvaal territory. He reach
ed a point fifty miles from Petersburg,
in the South African Republic, but
found no Beers, the country being
seemingly empty of men,.
British We're Brave.
London, Dec. 1.-By Associated
Press. )-Belated stories from Chievely
camp, Natal, all concur in saying that
the British did marvels in an impossi-
BILE situation. The Oldest war cores
pondents say they never saw anything
comparable with the bravery of the
men and officers. The naval contingent
created an immense furore, engaging
the Beers single handed and hailing
sshapnel and lyddite shells on the forti-
fications north, of the town, in vain
effort to silence the murderous fire of
the Beers, while the British forced the
passage Of the river.
The advance of the second brigade
along the road leading to the bridge
in the face, of a deadly. fusilade is de-
scribed as magnificent. The British
forced their way across the fire zone
under a perfect storm of bullets from
the invisible Beers. The patter of bull
let's on the dry plain raised the dust
like heavy drops of water. The heat
throughout was intense.
Held as a Spy.
London, Dec. 21.-(By Associated
. =
the following from Cape Town under
yesterdays date, "AIethuen wires that
he has received a rude reply from Gen.
Cronie respecting his representations
ias to Lieutenant Chandos- Pole-G Cell
saying that this officer is regarded as
spy. Cronje also states that he will
hold no further communication with
Methuen."
Chandos-Pole-Gell was taken prison
ser Dec. Ia, when going to meet flag
of truce.
Mcthuen May BE Cut Off:
London, Dec. 21.-The gravity of the
military situation is again becoming
accentuated in the public mind, owing
to the complete absence of news. Moth
ing has been heard from Lord 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,
telegraphing from Modder River last
Saturday, says:
The Boer position, already formida-
BILE on Dec. IL, has since been greatly
strengthened, extending for an area OF
twelve miles. 1t is intrenched accord
ing to the most modern methods
throughout its entire length. Wire
fences have been placed before all the
trenches at every point, guns have been
got into position, and there is every
evidence that the Beers are well sup
piled with ammunition. Only a pow
erful attacking, force can hope to make
successful assault
The Times, in an article from the
pen of military expert, laments the
dispersion of the British forces, quotes
the maxim of Napoleon in favor of con
centration, and regrets that Lord Me-
thuen did not retire to Orange River a
week ago.
The latest dispatches received seem
n to show that the British forces are
standing on the defensive at all points,
General Butler is ordering the troops
now arriving at Cape Town to proceed
to Durham to re-enforce the Natal col
umn. Absence of news from him has
led to surmise that he is trying to
join General White by a flank move
ment.
The appeals for yeomanry and vol
unteers are being responded to with
the greatest enthusiasm in all parts OF
the country. Lord Wolseley proposes
that the force being raised BY the lord
mayor of London be called the "City
of London Imperial Volunteers The
government expects the total of yeo.
manry and volunteers to reach 5000.
4 Bsron Chesham will command, with
Lord Lonsdale as adjutant general.
The papers are now generally join
ing in free criticism of the government
and the war office as day by day fresh
proofs OF rnpreparedness come to light
Special stress is laid upon the failure
to provide proper transports, which
zcompels the columns to stick tight to
railways, and upon the inferiority OF
the British artillery.
The Australian colonies are respond
Ing eagerly to the imperial govern
ment's appeals for second contingents.
AZ is reported that the queen will