Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-28
British Forces in South Africa Doing
Little Work.
BOBRS CONTINUE TO INTRENCH
Reports From Be'eaguered Gar
risons Say All is We'll.
DISPATCH FROM METnUEN

LONDON. December 2s-In view Il the
apparent supineness Of the British COM
manders In preventing the daily strength
ening and extending of the Bocr position
along the Tugela and Modder rivers. which
are now considered to be practically I'M
preSnAble. many experts here are coming
{" the conclusion that the British have
given w the idea of carrying these posi-
itons by assault. and viii await the inns
port and cavalry required 10 give their
forces. the necessary mobility. when they
hope TO be in a position to bcsicge the
Beers in their respective plevuas while
General Roberts carries out the original
plan of campaign, that OF advancing
straight north on Bloemfontein. thu other
generals detach.hg suuicicnt mobile troorS
10 reach their goals by circuitous routes.
There is nothing in the official or best
Independent reports to indicate that the
STRAITS calling Tor immediate relief. The
latest auNlceS from kimberley, where a
shortage Is most feared report plenty If
food.
Indian Princes Oncr to Fight;
An Interesting feature of today's news is
me oatrietir Gfers OF service from Indian
princes. The NIzam OF ityuorahad. reply-
ins 10 a toast proposed by Lord Curznn, The
yleefoy, at u banquet in Calcutta last -y-u-
was that Of being the queens faithful
ally. adding that ms purse, his army and
hls swoia we're ever AT her disposal
me MdhaIaJah OF Gwallor has asked
pei mission 10 serve on Gen Roberts stan
ami has offcreu 10 send troops horses and
a transport 10 South Africa.
The eovernmcn nj OF france has appointed
1apt- iemahsv military attache al the
B0cr headquarters.
Many Cr,tar. il Athens are Offering raatr
services 10 the British consul for 'he way
in south Africa
Latest From Lady~mith.
The latest independent news from Lady
smith says:
The field fortihcatons would now with
stand any organized attack The enemy Is
likely to deliver. There are suficieu, foJd
stutfs for TWO months. The question OF
forage might be troublesome, but sine. the
rams there has been some grazing within
the British lines. There is no hor-s sick
ness.
The casualties caused by our she'll fire
are increasing, and the Beers are reported
I" be becoming nervous. They fear night
sorties and constantly open heayy fusiI-
lade on an imaginary attack"
The German officiaIs have promptly
stopped the Beers from recruiting I'm Da-
MARYLAND. Neither men nor horses are
permitted to cross the border.
Official Dispatch From Cape Town
The war office has received the following
from Cape Town, dated "Wednesday. De
cember %:
"Methuen reports follows:
" AT $50 yesterday evening the Beers
on the south side OF Magersfontein opened
very heavy fire for some time This
morning the naval brigade fired at the
enemy a the west part Of Magersfontein.
The cavalry brigade is reconnoiterine in a
northeasterly direction.
" Lieutenant Masters has made an ex-
s.I
ward of Enslein, and reports all well The
farmers were glad to see our men. They
We're suffering from want of food
have estab4 shed a market here. where
l can purchase fresh milk and vegetables
selling to the farmers tea and other ari-
cles which they cannot otherwise pur-
chase.
Heavy rain fell last night
"Satacre and French report no change in
the situation.
Baden Powell reports all We'll D-cem-
Der 12.'
Butler to Stay in Natal.
CAPE TOWN, December 23-ColoneI OF
ter. commanding the Canadian contingent
of troops. is to join the staff Of General
Butler, all the members of which are pro-
ceeding to Natal indicating that General
Buffers sphere will shortly be confined to
Natal
A man named Green, a former sergeant
major Of the British balloon department, is
eAih'LS INC DUEL plaSOLtIS NdplufGb al Ma
gersfontein. Green, who deserted from
Aldershot in 1899, admitted that he had
been some time in the service of the Beers
and had instructed them in trenchiug. He
says there were 5000 Beers at Msgersfuu-
TEN, q 900 OF whom were engaged the day
of the battle. The Boer losses, he also as
serts were very heavy, the trenches being
full CT dead
Green further declares that if the attack
had been pressed the Beers would have
yielded. He says the Boer horses have 10
be taken to the Modder river as water is