The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-12-29
EARLY AFRICAN WAR NEWS
METHUEN AND THE Beers EX-
CHANGE ARTILLERY FIRE.

tfODs with the Farmers-NO Chnhse
in the Positions of Generals French
and Gntacre-BeIeagured Garrisons
All Right.
London, Dec 2S.-The war Office has
received the following from Cape Town,
dated Wednesday, December 81:
"Methuen reports as follows: AT $50
yesterday evening the Beers on the
south side of Magersfontein opened a
very heavy fire for some time. This
morning the naval brigade fired at the
enemy at the west part of Magersfon-
tein. The cavalry brigade is reconnoi-
tring in northeastely direction. Lieu
tenant Masters has made an extended
reconnaissance westward and north
ward of Enslin, and reports all we'll.
The farmers were glad to see our men.
They were suffering from want Of food.
have established market here where
1 can purchase fresh milk and Vegeta-
bles, selling to the farmers tea and 9TH
er articles, which they cannot other
wise purchase. Heavy rain fell last
night
"Gatacre and French report no change
in the situation. Baden-Powell reports
all well December 12.'
In view of the apparent neglect of the
British commanders to prevent the daily
Strengthening, and extending of the Boer
positions along the Tugela and Modder
rivers, which are now considered to be
practically impregnable, many experts
here are coming to the conclusion that
the British have given up the idea of
carrying these positions by assault and
will await the achievements of cavalry
required to give their forces the neces-
sary mobility, when they hope to be in
a position to besiege the Beers, while
General Roberts carries out the original
plan of campaign that of advancing
straight north on Bloemfontein the
other generals detachng sufficient mo-
bile troops to reach their goals by cir
cuitous routes.
There is nothing in the official or best
independent reports to indicate that the
beleaguered garrisons are in any special
straits calling for immediate relief. The
latest advices from Kimberley, where
shortage was most feared, report plenty
of food.
The German officials have promptly
stopped the Beers from recruiting in
Damaraland. Neither men nor horses
are permitted to cross the border.
A man named Green, a former ser
ant-major of the British balloon de-
partment is among the Boer prisoners
captured at Magersfontein. Green,
who deserted from Aldershot in 1898,
admitted that he had been some time
in the service of the Beers and had in
structed them in trenching. He says
that there We're $4,000 Beers at Mayors
fontein, Fl 900 of whom were engaged
the day of the battle, The Boer losses,
he also asserts, were very heavy, the
trenches being full of dead He further
declares that if the attack had been 1
pressed the Beers would have yielded
and says that the Boer horses have to
be taken to the Modder river, as water
is so scarce at Magersfontein
An interesting feature of to-day news
is the patriotic offers of service from
Indian princes. The Nizam of Hydera
bad, replying to toast proposed by
Lord Curzon, the viceroy, at a dinner in
Calcutta last evening, said that the |.
proudest title he possessed was that of
being the queens faithful ally, adding
that his purse, his army and his own
sword were ever at her disposal. The
Maharajah of Gwalor has asked per-
mission to serve on General Roberts
staff, and has offered to send troops, |
horses and a transport to South Africa.
The government of France has APP
pointed Captain Demange military at
tache at the Boer headquarters Many
Cretans in Athens are offering their
services to the British consul for the
war in South Africa.
LATEST NEWS FROM LADYSMITH
London, Dec 2S.-The latest indepen-
dent news from Ladysmith says: "The
field Notifications would not withstand
any organized attack the enemy is like
ly to deliver. There are sufficient food
stuffs for two months The question of
forage might be troublesome, but since
the rains there has been some grazing
within the British lines. There is no
horse sickness. The casualties caused
by our shell fire are increasing and the
Beers are reported to be becoming ner-
vous. They fear night sorties and con-
stantly open heavy fusilade on an i'm
aginary attack"
GENERAL BULLER'S SPHERE.
Cape Town, Dec, 23.-The colonel
commanding the Canadian contingent
of troops, Colonel Rotter, is to join the
staff of General Butler, all of whom are
proceeding to Natal, indicating that
General Buffers sphere will soon be
confined to Natal.
ARRESTED FOR AIDING THE
BOERS.
Durham, Natal, Dec PA German
farmer named Stucke and the Rev. Mr..
Hartes, director of the Hanoverian mis-
sions in Natal, have been arrested and 1
imprisoned at Estcourt on the charge '
Of aiding the Beers. They both claim >
the protection of Germany. ;
ENGLAND AND DELAGOA BAY.
Denals About the Alleged Treaty With I
Germany and Portugal.
London, Dec $3.50 many alleged 1t
disclosures of secret Delagoa Bay agree
nents have recently been submitted to ;
he British foreign Office that the Off y
ials have made it rule neither to de- a
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