The Washington weekly post., 1899-12-26

-.rs.- rc-. $50 a, MP 20
,r s..- nothing has arrived from
-.- AFRICA that would indicate any
... +. ..a military situation there.
r Office is issuing lists OF
.-...- .atr- and wounds. as well
accounts of sickness. The most
..-..s r...rr ~ the last class is that
r.-a. sickness has broken out in both
.r#.. AMI E0ar camps IN Natal
F..r .-asr,l British cavalry horses, II
.. -. have already been shot owing 10
,.. Occurrence ul glanders. The disease
ia .s.v ,u -r-gad with much greater
-.....r among the British horses than
among ra. handy acClimaJed Boer ponies.
and his may mean considerable pro-
..ear.u a. taa campaign The epidemic
occurs every year, and usually prevails
...u January % May.
e dispatch from ChIeveley, dated
T.rs..g. december l9, says:
9Th. British naval guns have destroyed
tra Cu.Es1 foot bridge, thus preventing
H. E.E- holding any position south Of
.ro Tu-a River. The enemy are taking
ur fresh positions on the eastern side,
lrar.r ,ao British camp.
"Iaa British position at Frere Is being
strengthened. The Tugela River is rising
a.. there is prospect Of heavy rains.
"a fWn-AouT b0mbardment of Lady
smith las been heard from here. Accord
.ur ro reliable native reports. the Beers
IaI -'' killed in the fight at Colenso."
The news that the Colenso foot bridge
Fa- been destroyed seems TO show that
Gen. Butler is more anxious 10 keep the
enemy al bay than TO attempt a further
advance.
Additions TO the BOcr Ranks.
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 correspondent of the
Daily Mail at Pietermaritzburg saws:
"Iaa extent Of Dutch disaffection should
make he imperial authorities realize the
magnitude OF the task before them"
There are unconfrmed reports from
Cape Town that Gen. Sir Charles Warren.
rommaHdlus the Fifth Division, has re-
turned there.
lommandant Demeillon, who was taken
prisoner at Elandslaagte and brought to
Simonstown, where he was confined on
the British cruiser Penelope. has sue
c.e4ed in making his escape
The Times this morning makes the fol-
lowing announcement: we are informed
tDat the government has decided that il
Is not desirable TO make further demands
upon the European garrisons in India un-
less Unforeseen difficulties arise"
IN undated heliograph message from
Ladysmith, by way of Pietermaritzburg,
represents the garrison as in no way
Caunted by Gen. Buffers reverse at Co
leUso, and as confident Of being able to
hold out indefinitely. The mails are gust
arriving from Ladysmith. All the CORE
poudents comment bitterly upon the su-
peTiOrity Of the BOer artillery.
What British Gunmers Would Do.
The Times correspondent says: 1T Is
impossible to cvade the opinion that if
British gunners were in the Boer posi-
lions the loss Of life and damage 10 prop
erry in Ladysmith would be ten times
greater"
The holidays have brought no surcCasa
Of recruiting activity. Lord AIwyne Fred
rick Compton, UnioEist member of Par
lament for the BigSleswade division of
Eedi0rdshI-e. will raise a corps of mount
Cd men. Lord Salisbury's private secre-
tary Mr. Schomberg Mcdonnell. who is a
volunteer officer has volunteered for ser
VICE.
The action of the United States govern
meUt causes considerable discussion re
g1TInE the cOntraband question as af-
ts',iuc Delagoa Bay and Portugal. Wide
l- divergent opinions are expressed. The
laiy Graphic, in an editorial on the sub
.get says:
Teen made in British treaties with the
United States for dealing with this mat
ter In the special circumstances of the
J resent war the government Is bound 10
regard food as contrabaTd. No doubt the
question can be satisfactorily settled by
paying compensation for the seizures of
American -four.
THE question of neutrality, however, IS
more serious, and Great Rritain'S duty is
, nave me IOurenCO NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
galway watched by capable agents, and
warn Portugal that she viii be held
liable IN damages for assistance 10 the
H0ersl by means OF the railway"
Other side of the Argument.
~h.( Morning Post. on the contrary.
aEI,l that the government would be mad
o., -,at food as contrahand, as such aC-
rag would play into the hands of all pos
...l. future enemies Of Great Britain" 1t
Admits. however, that steps should be
taken and money expended 10 search YES
s.'H ana 20 prevent munitions OF wGr en-
rarug the Transvaal by way of Portu-
pIesc territory.
The STANDARD says: I'VE do not doubt
that this matter is receiving the govern
mcnJs serious attention As the cam
Iaign develops il may become necessary
10 seize the railway AT Komati Poort"
The mrs. batch OF BOer prisoners has ar
rived iu England.
/. is announced that the government has
accepted another offcT OF a squadron OF
Canadian rough riders
uI-unDS nttt..,p nx xX.n