The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-26
HORSES ARE DYING
FLANDERS Among the Cavalry Mounts
Of Both Armies.
VERY SERIOUS FOR BRITISH
1t Will Result in ProIoneine the Cam.
paien, 1t Is Believed.
DlSAfFECTlON AMONG THE DUTCH
In Cape Colony and In Natal Is Steadily
Growing, 1t Is Admitted.
THE SEIZURE OF THE AMERICAN FLOUR
aondon Papers Express DIVERGENT
Views Ms to the Course That
should he Pursued.
DISAFFECTlON AMONG THE DUTCH
In Cape Colony and 10 Natal is Steadily
Growing, 1t Is Admitted.
THE SEIZURE OF THE AMERICAN FLOUR
Aondou Papers Express DIVERGENT
Views Ms to the Course That
should he Pursued.

London. December &c, 4:i5 a. NIP to
this hour nothing has arrived from South
Africa that would indicate any change in
the military situation there. The war Of
flee is Issuing lists of further deaths and
wounded as well as accounts of sickness.
The most serious report Of the last class
is that horse sickness has broken out in
both British and Boer camps in Natal.
-Four hundred British cavalry horses, it is
said. have already been shot owing to the
occurrence Of CHAMBERS. The disease is
likely 10 spread with much greater rapid
ity among the British horses than among
the hardy Boer ponies. and this may mean
considerable prolongation for the cam
paign.
dispatch from Chieveley dated Tues
day. December 10. says: THE British
naval guns have destroyed the Colenso
footbridge. 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
Frere is being strengthened. The Tugea
river is rising and there Is prospect OF
heavy rains.
a Two hours bombardment of Lady
smith has been heard from here Accord
ing to reliable native reports tho Beers
had 300 killed in the fight at Colenso"
The news that the Colenso foothriage
has been destroyed seems to show that
General Butler is more anxious to keep
The enemy at bay than to attempt q
further advance
Despite the severity of the censorship
hints are being continually received OF
the serious spread of Dutch disaffcction
in both the Queenstown district OF Cape
Colony and Natal. a correspondent Of
the Daily Mail at Pietermaritzburg says:
THE extent of Dutch disaffectlon should
make the imperial authorities realize
the magnitude of the task before them"
There are unconfrmed reports from
Capetown that General Sir Charles War
rem, commanding the Fifth division, has
returned there,
Commandant De Mellon. who was taken
prisoner at Glands Laagte and brought
to Simonstown. where he was confined
on the British cruiser Penelope, has sue
ceeded in making his escape.
The; Times this morning makes the
following announcement: 1--WE are In
formed that the government has decided
that 1t Is not desirable to make further
demands upon the European garrison in
India unless unforeseen difficulties arise.
An undated heilograph message from
L,adysmith by way of Pietermaritzburg
represents the garrison as in no way
daunted by General Buffers reverse at Co
lenso and as confident of being able TO
hold out indefinitely.
The mails are just arriving from Lady
smith. All the correspondents comment
bitterly upon the superiority OF the Boor
artillery The Times correspondent
says: 1T is impossible TO eYade the
opinion that If British snnners were IN
the Boer positions the loss OF life ana
10 property In Ladysnlth would
be ten times greater
The holidays have brought about no de-
crease of recruiting activity. Lord Alwyn
Frederick Compton, upionist member OF
parliament for tho Biggleswade division OF
Redforhshire, will raise corps OF
men. Lord Salisbnry's private
secretary. schomburg Mcdonnell, who Is
, volunteer officer, has volunteered FOR
service.
The action of the United States goyern-
ment causes considerable discussion re-
yarding the contraband question as al
,ecting DeIagoa Bay and Portugal. Widely
Jiyoreent opinious are expressed The |
Daily Graphic in an editorial on the sub
ect, says: "We believe that every pro-
,ision has been made In British treaties
with the United States for dealing with
his matter. In the special circum-
stances of the present war the govern
nent is bound to regard food as contra
,and No doubt the question can be sat
settled by paying compensa-
lion for the seizures OF American -four.
THE question of neutrality, however |
s more serious and Great Britains duty
S TO have the Lourenzo Marquez-Trans-
,aal railway watched by capable agents
md 10 warn Portugal that she VIII be
,eld liable in damages for assistance to
he Beers by means Of the railway"
The Morning Post. on the contrary !
argues that the government wonld be mad
% treat food as contraband as such ac-
ion would play into the hands OF all pos
iible future enemies OF Great Britain II
admits. however, that Steps should be
AIKEN and money expended to search yes
els and prevent munitions OF war enter
ng the Transvaal by way of Portuguese
territory.
The Stardard says We do not doubt
hat this matter is receiving the govern
nent's serious attention. As the CAM
,aign develops II may become necessary
o seize the railway at Komanti Poort,'
The first batch of Beer prisoners has ar
lived in England. 1t Is announced that
he government has accepted an offer OF
|, SQUADRON OF Canadian rough riders.