Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-12-26
tuesday. December 18th. says:

stroyed the Colenso foot bridge, thus
preventing the Beers holding any posi-
ton 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 be-
ing strengthened. The Tugela river is
rising and there is prospect of heavy
rains.
"a two hour bombardment of Lady
smith has been heard from here. Ac-
cording to reliable native reports the
Beers had two hundred killed in the
fight at Colenso''
The news that the Colenso foot bridge
has been destroyed seems to show that
Gen. Butler is more anxious to keep
the emmy at bay than to attempt a
further advance.
Despite the severity of the censor
ship, hints are being continually re-
ceived of the serious spread of Dutch
disaffection in both the Queenstown
department of Cape Colony 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 be-
fore them
There are unconfirmed reports from
Cape Town that Gen. Sir Charles War
rem, commanding the Fifth division,
has returned there.
Commandant Demeillon, who was
taken prisoner at Elandslaagte and
brought to Simonstown, where he was
confined on the British cruiser Pen
elope, has succeeded in making his es-
cape.
The Times this morning makes the
following announcement:
Eve are informed that the govern
ment has decided that it is not desir-
able to make further demands upon the
European garrison in India, unless I'M
foreseen difficulties arise"
An undated heliograph message from
Ladysmith, by way of Pietermaritzurg,
reports the garrison as in no way
daunted by Gen. Buffers reverse at
Colenso, and as confident of being able
tc hold out indefinitely.
The mails are just arriving from
Ladysmith. All the correspondence
comment bitterly upon the superiority
Of the Boer artillery.
The Times correspondent says:
1T is impossible to evade the opinion
that if British gunners were in the
Boer possessions the loss of life and
damage to property in Ladysmith
would be ten times greater"
The holidays have brought no sur
cease of recruiting activity. Lord AL
wyne Frederick Compton, Unionist
member of Parliament for the Diggles-
wade division of Bedfordshire, will
raise a corps OF mounted men. Lord
Salisbury's private secretary, Mr..
SchomIberg Mcdonnell, who is a volun-
ter officer, has volunteered for service.
The action of the United States gov
eminent causes considerable discussion
regarding the contra'band question as
affecting Delagoa Bay and Portugal.
Widely divergent opinions are express
ed. The Daily Graphic in an editorial
on the subject, says:
1--WE believe that every provision has
been made in British treaties with the
United States for dealing with this mat
ter In the special circumstances of the
present war, the government is bound
to regard as contraband. No doubt
the question can be satisfactorily set
tied by payment commensurate for the
seizures of American -four.
1.-THE question of neutrality is more
serious, and Great Britain's duty is TO
have the Lourenzo Marques-TransvaaI
railway watched by capable agents, and
to warn Portugal that she will be held
liable in damages for assistance TO the
Beers by means of the railway"
The Morning Post, on the contrary,
argues that the government would be
mad to treat food as contraband as
"such action would play into the
hands Of all possible future enemies
oe rraa+ prifain
1t admits, however, that steps should
be taken and money expended to
search vessels and to prevent munitions
Of war entering the Transvaal by way
Of Portuguese territory.
The Standard says:
1--WE do not doubt that this matter
is receiving the governments serious
attention. As the campaign develops,
it may become necessary to seize the
railway at Komati Poort-"
The first batch Of Boer prisoners has
arrived in England. It is announced
IL IL h