The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-12-24
Rumors That France Has Been Re-
Qussted to.Mediate.
BoERS SAID TO BE TIRED
REPORT, HOWEVER, HAS BEEN
DENIED AT PARIS.
Statement Sent Out That the Trans
vaal Forces Are Short of Ammuni-
ton Is Observation-Disclosures Bay
Open to the BoersN0pposition to
the British Ministry.

New York, Dec. ga dispatch to the
Tribune from London says: The Paris
correspondent of the Mail says that DR.,
Leyds waited on NJ. Delcasse and asked
his services in the cause of peace. The
French minister. it is understood, gave
an equivocai reply, asking, in. fact, for
time for consideration.
A fact which may be safely inferred
from the admiralty reports Of the
movements of transports is that the
battalions of the Fifth division as they
arrive in South Africa are divided be-
tween Natal and the western border.
to De Aar. This seems a. clear indica-
ton that General Methuen will hold
his ground at Modder\ river and not
retreat to Orange River, as many tim
erous military writer's for the press
have been clamoring to have him do,
leaving Kimberley TO its fate.
The moral effect of such a retreat
would be exceedingly bad, since it
would be confession of failure of one
of the first objects of Buffers campaign
with the army corps Military men
now assert that if General Methuen's
retirement had been contemplated, all
the reinforcements arriving at Cape
Town would have been hurried forward
to Natal to complete the work of re-
lieving Ladysmith, since they would
not have been needed at De Aar or
Belmont.
Campaign of Roberts.
They also venture to assume that
Modder river will be made a second
base for ultimate operations across the
country to Bloemfontein when the aux
iliary transport, with mule train and
carts, have been organized. This, how
re- 4I,fr II ord OOH &C.
preserves. The gallant veteran, VINO
will start today for the Cape, will plan
his own campaign after he assumes
command.
1t is generally understood from hints
dropped at the war Office that ne has
declined to assume any responsibility
for the campaign until his arrival on
the ground, and that he has not en-
barrassed General Butler with any
suggestions or advice from London.
Butler will have a free hand until Lord
Roberts reaches Cape Town, and v i'll
then command the troops in Natal.
Amony many rumors current before
midnight was one based on an alleged
statement by the manager of the Csreu-
sot company that the Boer ammunition
was running low and that urgent dis
patches had BEEN received rom Pre-
toria asking for the immediate ship
ment of large supplies. These reports
were too untrustworthy to merit serious
consideration. There was no app2r-
ent lack of Boer ammunition, either at
Magersfontein or Coienso or Storm
berg, and whatever delay there has
been replying to the British artillery
is explained too easily by the strategy
and admirable tactics of the Dutcn in
concealing their positions until they
could unmask them with deadly effect.
Wild Rumors From Paris.
Notification of these Paris rumors is
less important than accurate .nfOrma-
ton respecting the facility with which
military supplies can be landed. The
Delagoa Bay door seems to be aiar. if
not wide open. A prominent English
man remarked yesterday that j, would
have been better if the British govern
ment had allowed the Transvaal to ac-
quire Delagoa Bay instead of opposing
its purchase, for in that case the Brit
ish fleet could have blockaded and the
army could have landed with the short
est and most direct road to Pretoria
open to it.
The Daily Mail, having nearly recon-
structed the cabinet by displacing Sir
Michael Hicks-Beach at the treasury
with Mr. Chamberlain Diminishing Lord
Lansdowne from the war Office and
urging Lord Salisbury and the other
ministers to retire in order TO make
room for younger men, turns it's guns
upon the artillery service. 1t is oper-
ating on the general principle that
England needs a thorough shaking up.
Meanwhile England continues to dis
play patriotism Of the highest and most
practical order. Volunteers and yeo-
many to the number of 100000 are al
ready at the service of the government,
or ten times as many as the war Office
has asked for