The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-12-28

| London. Dec. 2S.-Winston Churchill's
new arrival at Chieveley camp is per-
haps responsible Cor some over-eolor-
ing of the gravity of the situation, but
all today's news conveys the impress
sion that Butler may be intending an
other attack upon the Boer position.
Certainly the Beers are not inactive.
AT both Modder river and the Tugela
they are said to be Strengthening their
forces and extending defense works.
which in both cases are seemingly al
most impregnable.
As showing the difficulty of obtain
ing accurate information, a correspond
ent of the Daily News at Cane Town,
under date of Dec. q. announces that
General Butler is coming TO Cape Town
to meet Sir Charles Warren and then
both will go to Modder river. AS five
battalions of General Warren's Fifth
division are said to have gone to Natal,
his arrival at Pietermaritzburg seemed
natural.
Dispatches from Chieveley indicate
that General Buffers forces will reno
bilize at Frere before attempting an
other advance. Doubtless he would be
glad to retrieve the Colenso Severse be-
fore the arrival of Lord Roberts, yet he
is hardly likely TO attempt another
frontal attack. 1t is more likely that
he is preparing 10 strike should the
Boers make any offensive movement
Ladysmith In a Bad Way.
Mr.. Churchill's reference to Lady
smith may imply that the situation of
the garrison is more desperate than
had been supposed. The Beers continue
fortifying the hills commanding the
town. General White. however. hello
OF nh nc ho oil 7
on Dec. 26.
Competent military critics in London
regard the campaign as at a complete
deadlock for the present, owing to the
dispersal of the British forces and for
the lack of adequate transports 1t
VIII be many weeks before Lord Rob-
erts is able TO reorganize and make an
effective movement
The Boer trench work is so good that
II enables the enemy TO hold a long line
with very few men and to travel great
distances under perfect cover so as to
reinforce any point attacked.
The Times, which comments editor
tally upon the severe strain, says: TT
is difficult 10 avoid the conclusion that
our troubles are due to the unreality of
the presumably practical lessons given
in the maneuvers at Aldershot."
Fears of Dutch Disaffection.
Dispatches from Modder river repre-
sent Dutch Gisaffection in Griuuiland
West as growing very serious. In
some towns the entire Dutch population
has Joined the Beers The rebels have
formed a laager at a point about thirty
miles west of Modder river camp.
1t is also announced that the Beers
have raised the siege of Kuruman, and
have withdrawn TO Magersfontein A
Cape Town correspondent of the Times.
under date of Friday, Dec. %, says:
Anxiety regarding the attitude of
the colonial Dutch is steadily growing.
They make no effort to conceal their
sympathy with the two republics, and
the only question now is whether, if
the military situation is not changed,
they will keep from open rebellion.
Even in districts that have not been
visited by the Beers, in the eastern
part of the province, the Dutch farm
ers are riding about armed This is
the case also in districts only fifty
miles from Cape Town. where a Sc
ditious movement is busily propagated.
The British forces are Inadequate to
guard 1000 miles of communications.
A dispatch to the Times from Mafe-
king, dated Monday, Dec. IL. by way
OF Mochudi- Tuesday, Dec. 10, says that
Lady Sarah Wilson's who was captured
by the Beers while acting as CORE
spondent for a London paper. has ar
rived there, having been exchanged for |
Viljoen, notorious horse thief and |
convict.