Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1899-12-30
FROM SOUTH AFRICA
a SUMMARY or TIE TRARsvAAL
WAF. NEWS.

~ 80 ~ zig ~ ~at 'rf'tt,tN- 49,
Day TO Day--A Condensed Report
Of the leading Events Of the Past
Week.
Gen. White sent message by hello
graph that all was we'll in Ladysmith
on Dec. rs.
Military critics III London regard
the South African campaign as at q
complete deadlock for the present, ON
ing to the dispersal of the British
foscca aid the lack OF adequate trans
portation They believe 1t will be
many weeks before Lord Roberts is
able to reorganize and TO make an eff
fectiye move.
Gen. Sir Charles Warren, command
ing the Fifth Division. has arrived at
Pietermaritzburg and started to the
front.
The Bank of Montreal has sub
scribed $4,000 to the relief for the
British soldiers in South Africa. The
directors of the bank added $500 to
this amount in personal subscriptions.
The British war Office makes public
briefly an account OF recent fight
particulars are given beyond the fact
that nine on-commissioned officers
were killed and ten wounded A lieu
tenant colonel, major and two cap
tains of the English forces were also
wounded. Nothing is said as to the
Boer losses.
The London Times editorially at
tacks the administration OF the war
office, calling attention to correspond
ence disclosing "glaring defects" and
declaring that the British army is be-
ing managed for the benefit of the
war Office and not of the nation.
The bombardment of Ladysmith is
proceeding slowly. General Joubert
has arrived there, having recovered
from his attack of illness.
| The recruiting of British colonists
in Cape Colony is actively proceeding
| Thirty thousand are already under
arms, and several thousand more viii
/ be added.
Lionel Walter Rothschild, Unionist
member of Parliament and an heir OF
the first Baron Rothschild. has yolun-
teered for service in South Africa.
Lord Stanley, eldest son OF the Earl
has been ordered to join Lord Roberts
staff at once.
Nothing has arrived in London from
South Africa that would indicate any
change in the military situation there.
| The war Office is issuing lists of fur
| Their dead and wounded as well as
accounts of sickness. The most SER
| ious report of the last class is that
CT o1yro h Il an. in MI
Boer and British camps m>Natal.
Despite the severity of the war cen
sorship in Africa, hints are being
continually received in London of the
serious spread of Dutch disaffection in
both the Queenstown district Of Cape
Colony and Natal.
1t is asserted in London that po-
iitical storm is brewing over the al
legged failure of the intelligence de-
partment of the government to heed
warnings, sent from South Africa lat
| the outbreak of the war by General
| Butler. then in command as to the
real strength Of Krugers forces, and
| that had these warnings been needed
British disasters would have been
averted. There may be Parliament
4 tary inquiry and call for the pub
! lOdllOu VI DuttGf . QCokNttltS, iLc
warnings In which, 1t is said, were
disregarded.
The first batch of Boer prisoners
has arrived in England. and the
British government has accepted an
other offer of a squadron Of Canadian
rough riders.
The London Times says: I'VE are
informed that the government has
/ decided that it is not desirable to
make further demands upon the Euro
pean garrison in India unless unfore-
seen difficulties aric ;"
A message from Ladysmith repre-
sents the garrison as in no way daunt-
ed by General Buffers reverse at Co
! lenso and as confident of being able
to hold out indefinitely.
The official Boer report of the re-
cent terrific battle at Tugela n.iver, in
Cape Calony, between Generals Butler
and Jouberts armies, speaks of the
valor of the British troops IN their re-
| peated attacks. lhe tactics of the
Beers are commended. Their loss in
killed and wounded is given at only
thirty. General Butler reported his
casualties at nearly 1000 and over
500 OF his men have arrived at Pre-
| toria as prisoners of war.
What is said to be a trustworthy
report of losses at the Tugela River
fight places the Boer killed at 200 and
the wounded as comparat velv small
The European Transvaal agent DR.
Leyds, at Brussels. is said TO be busy
shipping men and munitions from
European countries to the Beers via
Delago Bay, and it is said En- gland
may seize Lorenzo Marquee Portu-
gals port in Africa
Royal letters signed by the Qaeen
are being circulated by the archbishop
Of the bishops of the yarions diocesas.
authorizing a collection in the
churches throughout En- Aald "a Jan
uary 7, in aid of the fund for sicxand
wounded soldiers and tlieir families
The British War Office mas receiqed
despatch from Gca Balleg. telling
OF a serious reverse in Natal Colony
near Colenso. In his advance to the
I tai f.f u. sAf ia.