The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-12-26

! London, Dec, ,26, 4:30 a. m.-Up to this
hour nothing has arrived from South
Africa that would indicate any change
in the military situation there. The
war office is issuing lists of further
deaths and wounded, as well as ac-
counts of sickness. The most serious
report of the last class is that 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 glandelS. The dis
ease is likely to spread with much
greater rapidity among the British
horses than among the hardy Boer po-
nies. and this may mean a considerable
prolongation OF the campaign
Advices from Chieveley. dated Tues
day, Dec 10, say: '"The British naval
guns have destroyed the ColenSo foot
bridge, thus preventing the Beers hold
ing any position south of the Tugela
river. The enemy are taking up fresh
positions on the eastern side nearer
the British camp. The. British position
at Frere is being strengthened The
Tuge1a river is rising and there is
prospect of heavy rains.
"A two hour bombardment of Lady
smith has been heard from here. Ac-
cording to reliable native reports. the
Beers had 200 killed in the fight at
Colenso."
To Keep the Beers OF.
The news that the Colenso foot
bridge has been destroyed seems to
show that General Butler is more anx-
iouS to keep the enemy at bay than to
attempt a further advance.
Despite the severity of the censorship.
hints are being continually received OF
the serious spread of Dutch disaffection
in both the Queenstown district OF
Cape Colony and Natal. A cores
pondent of the Daily Mail at Pieter-
maritzburg says:
The extent of Dutch disaffection
should make the imperial authorities
realize the magnitude of the task be-
fore them.
There are unofficial reports from Cape
Town that General Sir Charles Warren.
commanding the Fifth division, has re-
turned there.
Commandant Demeillon. who was
taken prisoner at Elanslaagte and
brought to Simenstown, where he was
confined on the British cruiser Pene-
lope. has succeeded in making his es-
cape.
The Times correspondent says: 1t is
impossible to evade the opinion that II
u
position the loss of life and damage to
property in Ladysmith would be ten
times greater.
The holidays have brought no sur
cease of recruiting activity Lord Al
wyn Frederick Compton. Unionlst
member of parliament for the Bicycles
wade division of Bedfordshire. will
Salisbury's private secretary, Schom-
burg Mcdonnell, who is a volunteer Of
ficer, has volunteered for service.
Seizure of American Flour.
The action of the United States gov
ernment causes considerable discussion
regarding the contraband question as
affecting Delagoa bay and Portugal
Widely divergent opinions are ex-
pressed. The Daily Graphic, in an edi-
torial on the subject says: I'VE 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 bound
to regard food as contraband. No doubt
the question can be satisfactorily set
tied by paying compensation for the
seizures of American flour.
1.-THE question of neutrality. however,
is more serious and Great Britain'S
duty is TO have the Lourenzo Marquee
IraQSNddl railway WdlClcu Dg CdpdUic
agents and TO warn Portugal that she
will be held liable in damages for as
sistance to the Beers by means of the
The Morning Post on the contrary,
argues that the government would be
made to treat food as contraband as
'such action would play into the hands
of all possible future enemies of Great
Britain" 1t admits, however, that
steps should be taken and money ex-
pended to search vessels and to pre-
vent munitions Of war entering the
Transvaal by way of Portuguese terri