The Bowbells tribune. [volume] (Bowbells, Ward Co., N.D.) 1899-1969, 1899-12-29
CHAMBERS BREAKS OUT IN BOE3
AND BRITISH CAMPS.
Disease Is Likely to Spread Much
More Rapidly Among British
Horses Than Among Hardened
BOer POnfcs-BOer Position at
Frerc Being Strcngthened-Bull
Seems More Anxious to Keep the
Enemy at Bay Than to Advance
Dutch DisaffcctiOn Is Assuming
Serious Proportions.

London, Dec. p. - Up to this hour
nothing has arrived from South Africa
that would indicate any change in the
military situation there. The war Of
flee is issuing lists of further deaths
and wounded. as we'll as accounts Of
sickness. The most serious report OF
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
glanders. The disease is likely to
spread with much greater raptlity
among the British horses than among
the hardened Boer ponies. and this
may mean a considerable prolong,tion
of the campaign.
\ dispatch from Chieveley. dated
Tuesday, Dec. 10. says: 'The British
naval guns have destroyed the ColenSo
foot bridge, thus preventing the Beers
holding any position south OF the TIL
gela river. The enemy are tak:lI,
| fresh positions on the eastern side near
the B0cr camp. The Boer position at
Frere is being strengthened. The Tu-
| gela river is rising and there is Il pres
pect of heavy rains. 4 two-hour HON
bardment Of LadySmith has been Heard
from here. According to reliablp native
| reports the Beers had 200 killed in the
fight at Colenso."
The news that the Colenso iootbri,l"e
had been destroyed seems to show that
| Gen. Butler is more ANXIOUS to keep the
enemy at bay than to attempt Il further
| advance. Despite the severity of the
| situation here, hints are being contin-
ually received of the serious spread of
| Dutch disaffection in both the Queens
| town district of Cape Colony and Ma
tai. A correspondents of the Daily Mail
| at Pietermaritzburg says: "'The ex-
| tent of Dutch disat1ection should make
the imperial authorities realize the
| magnitude Of the task before them"
There are uncOntirmed reports from
| Cape Town that Gen. Sir Charles War
rem, commanding the Fifth division,
| has returned there. The Times makes
the following announcements: 1--WE are
Informed that the government has de-
cidcd that it is not desirable to make
| further demands upon the European
garrison in India unless unforeseen diff
| ticulties arise"
An undated photographic message
from Ladysmith, by way of Pictermar-
| itzburg represents the garrison as in
no way daunted by Gen. Buffers re-
verse as ColensO and as confident of
being able to hold out indefinitely.
The action of the United States Coy
enment causes considerable discussion
| regarding the contraband question rs
affecting Delagoa Bay and Portugal.
Widely divergent opinions are ex-
pressed The Daily Graphic in an ed
itolial on the subject. says: 1--WE be-
lieve that every provision has been
made in British treaties with the Unit
ed States for dealing With this matter
In the special circumstances of the
present war the government is lo,nd
to regard food as contrahaM1 No
doubt the question can be satisfactorily
settled by paying compensation for the
| seizures of American tioul. The only
question Of neutrality. however. is
more serious. and Great Britain's duty
| is to have the I.ourensO Marques
Transvaal railway watched by capable
| agents and to warn Portugal that she
will be held liable in damages for as
sistance to the Beers by means of the
railway"
The first batch of Boer prisoners has
arrived in England. 1t is announced
that the government has accepted an
offer Of a squadron of Canadian rough
riders.