The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-12-26
Superiority Of the BOer GunnerS is Real
ly Alarming
LkDYSMlTH AGAIN E0MBARDED
The Colenso Foot Bridge Has Been De-
stroyed This Seems to Show
That Butler Intends Holding
the Beers at Bay

1OuNOtis DStthuDSI - IA. - -
this hour nothing has arrived from South
Africa that would indicate amy change in
the military situation there. 1ne war office
is Issuing lists OF further deaths and
wounded as well as accounts OF sickness
The most serious of the latter class Is tnat
horse sickness has broken out in both Brit
ish 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 wit much
greater rapldity among the British horses
than among the hardy Boer ponies, and
this may mean a considerable prolongatiou
of the campaign.
A dispatch from Chievley, dated Tuesday
Deoemoer 19, says:
'"Ihe British naval guns have destroyed
the Coienso foot bridge, thus preventing
the Beers holding any position south of the
Tugola river. The enemy are taking up
fresh positions on the eastern side nearer
tn British camp
.4rhe British position at Frere is being
strengthened. THE Tugela river is rising,
and there is a prospect of heavy rains.
Two Hours B jIabardmeBt
IA Lwo-hour bombardment of Ladysmith
has been heard from slere. According to
neliabie native reports, the Beers had 800
Killed in the fight at Colenso."
The news That the Colenso foot bridge has
been destroyed seems to show that General
Butler is more anxious to keep the enemy
at bay than to attempt further advances.
Despite the severity of the censorship,
ti51ta or haip af
the sci spread of Dutch disaffection in
both tire Queenstown district of Cape Col
ony and Natal.
A &c RESPONDENT of the Daily Mail at
Pieternsari .zburg says:
''Tihe extent of Dutch disaffection should
make the imperial authorities realize the
magnitude of the task before them.'
There are unconfirmed REPORTS from Cape
town that General sir Charles Warren,
commanding the Fifth division, has re-
turned there. Commandant De Mellon,
who was taken prisoner at Elandsaagte
and brought to Simonstow where he was
confined on the British cruiser Penelope,
has succeeded in making his escape.
The Times this morning makes the fol-
lowing announcements:
We are informed that the government
has decided that it is not desirable to make
further demands upon the European garri-
son in India unless Unforeseen difficulties
arise"
Garrison Net Daunted
An undated heliograph message from
Ladysrnith, by way of Pietermaritzburg,
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 mails are just
arriving from Ladysmith.
All the correspondents comment bitterly
upon the superiority of the Boer artillery
The Times correspondent says:
ut is impossible to evade the opinion that
II British gunners were in the Boer posi-
tions the loss of life and damage to proper
ty in Ladysmith would be ten times great
err"
The holidays have brought about no de-
crease of recruiting activity. Lord Alywn
Frederick Compton, unonist member of
parliament for the Biggleswad division of
Bedfordshire, will raise a regiment of in
fantry for the scene of hostilities.
The Daily Graphic in an editorial, says:
I'VE believe that every provision has been
made in British treaties with the United
States for dealing with the mercantile out
look in the South African matter. In
special circumstances of the present war,
the government is bound to regard food as
contraband, no matter from what nation
exported"
The Standard says:
1--WE do not doubt that this matter is re-
ceiving the governments serious attention.
As the campaign develops, it may become
necessary to seize the railway at Komanti
port r.,
The first batch ooif Boer prisoners has ar
rived in England.
1t is announced that the government has
accepted an offer of squadron of Canadian
rough riders.