The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-29
BOER FIRE HAS IMPROVED.
sBELLs DOING GREATER DAMAGE TO
LzDYSMITH AND MAFEkIN0.

Army, Probably Due to the Presence of
European Onicsrs-Buiiding Bomb-Proof
Trenches nt Colenso - Beers Also
Methucn's Force at Modder River.
Spec al Cable Dt,pa,ch 10 THE sus.
LONDON Dec. 2D.-Stormy weather in Natal
IN causing u rise IN the TuRela River which.
according to one correspondent. should enable
Gen. Butler to catch most OF those Beers
who are southwark OF Colenso In the
next few days. Another correspondent
asserts that tho road bridge over the Tugela
was less damaged by the British guns than was
supposed and that the Beers are apparently
able to- use It. The correspondents declare
that the naval guns are damaging the enemy's
trenches at Coienso. at which. however. the
Beers are constantly working.
Gen White continues to heliograph cheerful
messages from Ladysmith to Chieveley. repre-
ssnting that he Is able to resist for six or
eight weeks more with comparative ease
Nevertheless, 1t is evident that the enemy's
shell tire has improved at Ladysmith. as else
where. and the casualties OF the besieged Brit
ish are increasing.
The Dailv Mnirs correspondent at Pleter-
marttzburg. dating his dispatch Dec. %.
declares that the character OF the cam
paign has changed owing to European
officers joining the Beers. The British
he says. are no longer fighting
n guerrilla foe. but what is rapidly becom-
ing disciplined army. The Beers have
converted the hills at Colenso into fort
resses OF immense strength. Their trenches
are excellently constructed and many
Of them are bombproof Their main
positions are con nected by underground pass
AGES Tramways have been laid enaUling the
guns to be shifted with toEishing rapldity.
All this indicates that discipline has &C no uered
the Boer dislike OF manual labor. Their am
nunition hos also improved in quality. Their
shells now burst better.
A reconnaissance to the westward OF Modder
River on Wednesday revealed that the
Beers have occupied positions many miles
TO the west Of tho railway. rendering IL almost
impossible for the British to make a turning
movement in that direction owing to the
roughness Of the country and the lack OF water
there.
The Chronicles correspondent at sterks-
trocm, in a despatch dated Dec. 81. says tina,
railway communication with Dordrecht ha.
been restored.
The Chronicles cores pondent with Gen
Methuen. telegraphing under the same date
says: The enemy ar. becoming decidedly az
gressive. They shelled the British outposts 'or
three hours to-day with three we'll masked
guns at range OF 5000 yards Several o. the
shells fell dangerously near one Of the British
redoubts."
In connection with the Transvaals hitherto
unsuccessful attempts TO superseds Mr.. Lloyd
an Englishman. In the management Of the
Lorenzo Marques branch OF the Trans
vaal National Bank. the 7imes's Lo
renzo Marques correspondent telegraph.
that the most active Doer partisan In the
dispute 10 Karl Wolfe, who represents the
weu-knowu British Arm OF Rosenthal or
the Board OF Directors Of the bank
The correspondent adds that there is much
Indignation among the coast loyalists be-
cause OF tho readiness OF certain prominent
British firms to execute orders that they mus
know emanata from tho Beers. So long al
they secure the enhanced prices they ask nc
questions. There are. however. some honor
able exceptions
A despatch 10 the Daily Tetns from Frere
dated Dec. -. says: Everything ia very quiet
The troops are making tramway from th'
railroad to convey heavy guns to hilltop com
mandlng the Boer Iosition."