The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-26
TROUBLE WITH THEIR HORSES.
MAY CAUSE A PROLONGATION OF
THE CAMPAIGN.

Both British ana Beers Are Losing
characterization at the TugeIa
River-TwO Reports of the Fight
at COIensO-DisaHectiOn of the
cape Colony Dutch-Ladysmitb
still Holding Out-seriOus Question
of COntraband Supplies.
London. Dec. 26, 4:sO a. m-Up to this
hour nothing has arrived from South AZ
rica that would indicate any change in
the military situation there
The war Office is issuing lists of further
deaths and wounded, as web as accounts
Of sickness. The most serious report Of
the last class is that horse sickness mas
broken out in both Mritish and Boer camps
in Natal.
-Four hundred British cavalry horses. It
is said, have already been shot, owing TO
the occurrence of glanders. The disease
Is likely to spread with much greater ra-
pidity among the British horses than
among the hardy Boer ponies, and this
may mean a considerable prolongation of
the campaign. Horse sickness in South
Africa generally appears during the lat
Ter part of January and last three mouths.
The present outbreak is unusually early.
dispatch from Chievely, dated Tues
day, Dec. 10, says:
THE British naval guns have DESTROYED
the Colenso foot bridge thus preventing
the Beers holding any position south of
the Tugela river. The enemy are taking
up fresh positions on the eastern side,
nearer the British camp.
The British position at F'rere is being
strengthened. The Tugela river Is rising
and there is prospect of heavy rains.
A two hours bombardment of Lady,
smith has been heard from here Ae-
cording to reliable native reports, the
Beers had 200 killed in the fight at Co
ienso."
The news that the Colenso foot bridge
had been destroyed seems to show that
Gen. Butler is more anxious to keep the
enemy at bay than to attempt a further
advance.
DisaRectiOn of the Dutch.
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 Col
Ony and Natal.
a correspondent of the Daily Mail at
Pietermaritzburg says:
THE extent of Dutch disaffection should
make the imperial authorities realize the
magnitude of the task before them
There are unconfrmed reports from
Cape Town that Gen. Sir Charles War
ren, commanding the fifth division, has
returned there.
Conmandant Demeillon, who was taken
prisoner at Elandslaagte and brought to
Simonstown, where he was confined on the
British cruiser Penelope, has succeeded in
making his escape.
he Times this morning makes the fol-
lowing announcement:
we are informed that the government
has decided that it is not desirable to make
further demands upon the European gar
rison in India unless unforeseen difficulties
arise"
An undated heliograph message from
ladysmith by way of Pietermaritzbufg,
represents the garrison as in no way
dauned by Gen. Buffers reverse az Colen-
so and as confident of being able to hold
out Indefinitely.
me mails are just arriving from Lady
smith. All the correspondents comment
bitterly upon the superiority of the Boer
artillery.
The Times correspondent says:
1t is impossible to evade the opinion
Iaat if British gunnerS were in the Boer
positions the loss of life and damage to
property in Ladysmth would be ten times
greater"
The holidays have brought no surcease
erck Compton, Unionist member of Par
lament for the Biggleswade division of
Becfordshire, Will raise corps Of mount
ca men, Lord Salisbury's private secre-
tary, Mr. Schomberg Mcdonnell, who is
volunteer officer, has volunteered for
service
The COntraband Question.
The action of the United States govern
ment causes considerable discussion re-
fftaer
ing Delagoa bay and Portugal. Widely
divergent opinions are expressed. The
Daily Graphic, in an editorial on the sub
Ject, says;
I'VE believe that every provision has
ne5n made in British treaties with the
United States for dealing with this matter.
In The special circumstances of the present
war the government is bound to regard
Iood as contraband. No doubt the question
can be settled by paying compensate for
the seizures of American -four.
Inc question of neutrality however, is
more serious. and Great Britains duty is
70 nave the Lourenzo Marquez-Transvaal
hallway watched by capable agents and
70 warn Portugal that she will be held liza
ple in damages for assistance to the Beers
oy means of the railway"
me Morning Post, on the contrary, ar
cues that the government would be mad
10 treat food as contra band as 'such ac
uon would play into the hands of ali pos
sole future enemies OF Great Britain"
II admits, however, that steps should be
eaAen and money expended to search ves-
seIs and to prevent munitions OF war en-
~rng me Transvaal by way of Porta>
glese territory
The Standard says:
We DO not doubt that this matter is re-
V'l'lhg The governments serious attention.
AS ire campaign develops it may become
n, n ,essary 70 seize the railway at Komau
u, first balch of Boer prisoners has ar
HLed N England.
IL is announced that the government
90 oSs accepted another offer of a squadron
u canadian rough riders.
PRISONERS FROM sTORMBERG.