The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-26
SITUATION is UNCHANGED
No Further News From the
South African Campaign.
SICKNESS AMONG HORSES
Four Hundred Brit Sh Animals Have
Been Shot-Colenso Foot Bridge De-
stroyed - Contraband Question
Causes Discussiou-Wa Talk.

London, Dec. 2e, 4:3O a. MP 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 fur
Their deaths and wounded as well as
accounts of sickness. The most seri-
Gus report Of the last class is that
horse sickness has broken out in Brit
lsh and Boer camps in Natal. Four
hundred British cavalry horses, it is
said, have already been shot. owing
10 the occurrence of CHAMBERS. 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 prolonga-
don of the campaign.
Advices from Chieveley dated Tues
day, Dec. IS, say:
1.-THE British naval guns have de-
stroyed the Colenso footbridge, thus
preventing the Beers holding any po-
sition south of the Tugela river. The
enemy are taking up fresh positions
on the eastern side, nearer the Brit
ish camp. The British position at
Frere is being strengthened. The Tugela
river is rising and there is prospect
Of heavy rains. A two-hour lombard
ment of 'Ladysmith has been heard
from here According to reliable ma
tive reports the Beers had 200 killed
In the fight at Colenso."
The news that the Colenso footbridge
has been destroyed seems to show
that General Butler is more anxious to
keep the enemy at bay than to at
Tempt further advance.
Despite the severity of the censorship
hints are being continually received of
the serious spread of Dutch disaffec-
tion in both the Queenstown district of
Cape Colony and Natal. A correspond
emit OF the Daily Mail at Pietermaritz-
burg says: THE extent of Dutch dis
affection should make the imperial au
thorities realize the magnitude Of the
task before them
There are unconfirmed reports from
Cape Town that General Sir Charles
Warren, commanding the 9Th division,
has returned there. Commandant De
mellon, who was taken prisoner at
Elandslaagte and brought to Simors-
town, where he was confined on the
British cruiser Penelope. has succeed
ed in making his escape.
The Times this morning makes the
following armour cement: I'VE are in
formed that the government has decid-
ed that it is not desira BILE to make fur
ther demands upon the European gar
TlSOn IN 1IG1a unless Unforeseen Ql[-
ficulties arise
An undated helograph message from
Ladysmith, by way of Pietermaritz-
burg, represents the garrison as in no
way daunted by General Buffers re-
verse at Colenso and is confident Of be-
ing 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: at
is impossible to evade the opinion that
If British gunners were in the Boer po-
sition the loss Of life and damage to
property in Ladysmith would be 10
times greater"
The holidays have brought no sur"
cease of recruiting activity. Lord AL
wyn Frederick Compton, unionist mem
Der of parliament for the Biggleswade
division, Bedfordshire, viii raise
corps of mounted men. Lord Sails
bury's private secretary, Schomberg
Mcdonnell, who is volunteer of
Cramps, volunteered for service.
The action of the United States gov
eminent causes considerable discus
sion regarding the contraband ques-
ton, as affecting Delagoa bay and
Portugal Widely divergent opinions
are expressed. The Daily Graphic, in
an editorial on the subject, says: I'VE
believe 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 contra band No
doubt the question can be satisfac-
torily settled by paying compensation
for the seizures of American flour. The
question of neutrality. however, is more
serious and Great Britain's duty is to
1,rt l. M. H.,
railroad watched by capable agents
and to warn Portugal that she will be
held liable in damages for assistance
to the Beers by means of the rail-
way"
The Morning Post, on the contrary,
argues that the government will be
made to treat food a contra band. as
such action would play into the hands
of all possible future enemies of Great
Britain" 1t admits, however, that
more steps should be taken and money
expended to search vessels and to pre-
vent munitions of war entering the
Transvaal by way of Portuguese ter
ritory.
The Standard says: I'VE do not
doubt that this matter is receiving the
governments attention. AS the case
develops 1t may become necessary to
seize the railroad at Komatipoort'
The first batch of Boer prisoners has
arrived in England. 1t is announced
that the government has accepted an
other offer of a squadron of Canadian
rough riders.