Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-29

Pott. a Hollander. who Is Consul-Generaf
for the Transvaal and Consul for the
Netherlands Pott is the principal me
dunn between Pretoria and Or. Leyds
I'm Europe. He controls the Netherlands
railway through the Transvaal and Is the
head Of the Transvaal customs He is
also head of the Dutch East Africa Com
pany, and has the ear of the Portu-
guese Governor. as We'll as the chief OF
each department.
1T is openly asserted that Pott has
private wire to the frontier and knows
twenty-four hours before others what Is
happening.
About him gather all the other con-
suls. the Portuguese officials. and the
German forwarding agents.
IF DelagOa Bay is closed the Beers VIII
retaliate by raiding Portuguese territory
GERMAN CRITICISM OF THE WAR.
BERLIN. December 2S.-The German
press continues To comment upon the
war in South Africa. The AIilitar Wo-
chenblatt, the military organ. contains
severe criticism by a high officer, IN
which the writer claims that hitherto the
Beers. both leaders and men. have proved
far more efficient I'm every way than the
British. The National Zeitung says, edi-
torially:
"The best solution for Germany would
be AZ peace guaranteeing the Beers their
independence and securing the future
that is creating a state whose frontier
touches the sea. ia order 10 enable IL %
adapt Itself 20 the new times upon which
Africa IS entering.
THAT must be- the policy Of the Boer
We do not desire the British 10 be- wholly
expelled from Africa. but we do not see
the necessity for making the entire Afri-
u of
Gil Rhodes will split upon the rock OF
Boer courage"
OVATION TO CHURCHILL
DURHAM. NATAL. Saturday. Deem
Der 23-Mr. Winston Churchill. on arriv-
ing here. after his escape from the Beers
received tremendous ovation. lie says
that from c-~versaiions with members
of the Transvaal Executive at Pretoria,
he learned that the Beers began the war
with trepidation. but that President kru-
ger is now confident Great Britain will
soon sue for peace.
BOER TALK OF COMPROMISE.
In the highest Transvaal circles Mr..
Churchill asserts. there is serious talk
Of a compromise. by which Great Britain
would cede the territory now occupied by
the armies of the two republics. pay an
indemnity Of f20.OoOOO0 100000 0oW. and
dckuDWltuSt lU' tpiuilrtt iilN' pfNN'iiNf
Of the Transvaal.
POER STRENGTH AT COLENSO.
LONDON. December PA dispatch 10
the Daily Mail from Pietermaritzburg
dated Saturday. December 23d says.
Every day reveals some new fact re-
garding the strength Of the B0er position
at Colenso. Thanks 10 the services OF
Continental officers. the character Of the
OH.
or fighting u foe who relies upon guerilla
tactics. but We have 10 deal with what
Is rapidly becoming A disciplined army,
enjoying the advantage OF knowing the
country and OF selecting the scene Of
contest. without The burdens Of a cum
bersOme commissariat.
"The Beers have converted the hills
near Colcnso into fortress OF immense
strength. Everywhere they have spcn-
did trenches. many OF them oomb-proof.
Tramway lines permit the shifting OF
guns with astonishing rapidify. The main
positions are connected with the outlying
positions by underground passages. and
the forts proper bristle with machine
guns that command the approaches.
Probably mines are laid.
BOER FIRE MORE EFFECTIVE.
zone hears less nowadays about Boer
shells not bursting. Observers Of the
Colenso fight say the Boer shell fire was
very effective. This IS due largely 10 the
fact that the distances are marked or
with white paint.
"The enemy's discipline is improving.
The trenches represent great manual
labor. for which the Beers have a keen
dislike. and the way In which they re-
strained tneh mr. when QUE troops Were
advancing is another proof OF improved
soldering