The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-21
A DEARTh OF NEWS.
General Methuen Has Been Silent Since
Sunday.
COMMUNICATION MAY BE CUT.
If This Is True His Position Is Now
Dangerous.
TRENCHES EXTEND TWELVE MILES,
Behind Which Beers at Modder River Have
u Formidable Position.
!
Apfra..., VOLUNTEERS MET RESPONSE
VOLUNTEERS MET RESPONSE
"I.fttlc Bob" the Beloved of the En-
gIish Soldier. Talked of the War.
VIII Soon Leave.

London, December 81, 4:45 a. m.--The
gravity of the military situation is again
becoming accentuated in the public mind
owing to the complete absence of news,
Nothing has been heard from General
Methuen since Sunday and it is feared
that his communication has been cut. II
this be so, his position is dangerous.
A correspondent of the Daily News. tel
egraphing from Modder River last Satur-
day. says: THE Boer position. already
formidable December IL, has since be-n
greatly strengthened, extending for an
area of twelve miles, 1t is intrenched
according to the most modern methods
throughout its entire length, wire fences
having been placed before all the trenches
at every point, guns have been got into
position and there is every evidence that
the Beers are well supplied with ammuni-
ton. Only a powerful attacking force
can hope to make successful assault"
The Times in an article from the pen
of a military expert, lameuts the disper
sion Of the British forces. quotes the max
i'm of Napoleon in favor of concentration
and regrets that Lord Methuen did not
retire to Orange River week ago.
The latest dispatches received seem TO
show that the British forces are standing
on the defensive at all points. General
Butler is ordering the troops now arriving
at Capetown to proceed TO Durham to re
inforce the Natal column. Absence OF
news from him has led to surmise that
he Is trying to join General White by a
flank movement.
A. j. Balfour in his unofficial capacity
has written to the earl of IIaddington,
dwelling upon the Importance of the
movement TO raise yeomanry and volun-
teer forces for South Africa. He suggests
and offers to assist public fund to aug
ment the necessarily limited allowance
made to the men by the government for
equipment
The appeals for yeomanry and voiun-
| teers are being responded to with the
| greatest enthusiasm in all parts OF the
country Lord Wolseley proposes that the
forces being raised by the lord mayor OF
London be called the city Of London Inn
perial Volunteers" The government ex-
poets the total of yeomanry and volunteers
to reach 5000. Baron Gresham will com
mand, with Lord Lonsdale as adjutant
general.
The papers are now generally Joining
in free criticisms OF the government and
the war office, as day by day fresh proofs
of unpreparedness come to light. Special
stress is laid upon the failure to provide
proper transports. which compels the col
umns to stick tight TO the railways and
unon the inferiority OF the British artil-
lery.
The Australian colonies are responding
engerly to the imperial governments app
peals for second contingents.
1t is reported that the queen will aban-
don her proposed visit to Italy In con-
sequence of the war.
ono of the results Of the coal famine
in the Sheffield district indirectly arising
from the war is that several importan
steel firms are not able to get coal ever
from their own collieries few days dis
: tant They will sue the railroad compa
MES for non delivery of GOAL.