The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-26
Ladysmith Again Bombarded, the
Boom of the Big Guns Having
been Heard at Chieveley.
ESCAPE OF A BoER OFFICER
WHO WAS CONFINED ON A BRITISH
wARsHIP AT sIMONs TOWN.
Jouberfs Report on the Tugela River
Battle-SeIzure of American Flour
Likely to Make Trouble.

LONDON, Dec. &c, 4:ao a. m.-Up to this
hour nothing has arrived from South At
rica that would indicate any change In the
military situation there. The War Office
is issuing lists of further deaths and
wounded, as well as accounts of sickness
The most serious report of the last class
IL that horse sickness has broken out in
both British and Boer camps in Natal.
Four hundred British cavalry horses. 1t is
said. have already been shot, owing to the
occurrence Of glanders. The disease Is
likely to spread with much greater rapidity
among the British horses than among the
hardy Boer ponies. and this many mean a
considerable prolongation of the campaign.
Horse sickness in South Africa generally
appears during the latter part Of January
and lasts three months. The present out
break is unusually early.
A dispatch from Chieveley. dated Tues
day, Dec. 20, says: ''The British naval
guns have destroyed the Colenso foot
bridge. thus preventing the Beers holding
any position south of the Tugeia river. The
enemy is taking up fresh positions on the
eastern side. nearer the British camp. The
British position at Frere is being strength
ned The Tugela river Is rising and there
Is prospect OF heavy rains. A two-hour
bombardment OF Ladysmith has been heard
from here. According TO reliable native re-
ports, the Beers had 20v killed in the fight
at Colenso."
The news that the Colenso foot bridge
has been destroyed seems to show that
General Butler is more anxious to keep the
enemy at bay than to attempt further
advance.
Despite the severity of the censorship
hints are being received of the serious
spread OF Dutch disaffection in both
the Queenstown district of Cape Colony
and Natal. A correspondent of the Daily
Mail at Pietermaritzburg says: 1.-THE ex.
tent of Dutch disaffection should make the
imperial authorities realize the magnitude
OF the task before them"
There are unconfirmed reports from Cape
Town that Gen. Sir Charles Warren com
manding the Fifth Division, has returned
there.
Commandant Demeillon, who was taker
prisoner at Elandslaagte and brought t
Simonstown. where he was confined on tn,
British cruiser Penelope, has succeeded II
making his escape.
The Times this morning makes the fol
lowing announcement: I'VE are informed
that the government has decided that it Il
not desirable to make further demands oI
foreseen difficulties arise"
An undated heiliograph message from
Ladysmith. by way Of Pietermaritzbure
represents the garrison as in no wa,
daunted by General Buffers reverse a
Colenso, and as confident of being able Il
hold out indefinitely
The mails are just arriving from Lady
smith All the correspondents commen
bitterly on the superiority of the Boer ar
tillery. The Times correspondent says: 81
Is impossible TO evade the opinion that |
British gunners were in the Boer position
the loss of life and damage to property i
Ladysmith would be ter times greater"
The holidays have brought no surcease @
recruiting activity. Lord Alwyn Frederic
Compton. Unionist member of Parliamen
for the Biggieswade division of Bedford
shire. will raise a corps of mounted mer
Lord Salisbury's private secretary, Schon
burg Mcdonnell. who is a volunteer office
has volunteered for service.
The action Of the United States govern
ment causes considerable discussion r,
gaiding the contraoand question as affec
Ing Delagoa bay and Portugal. Widel
divergent opinions expressed. The Dali
Graphic, I'm an editorial on the subjec
says: 1--WE believe that every provision Ia
been made in British treaties with II
United States for dealing with this matte
In the special circumstances of the pre-
ent war the government is bound to regal
food as contraband. No doubt the questic
can be satisfactorily settled by paying con
pensation for the seizures OF America
-four. The question of neutrality. hoy
ever. Is more serious. and Great Britain
duty is to have. the Lourenzo MARCUS
Transvaal Railroad watched by capab
agents and to warn Portugal that she w
be held liable I'm damages for assistance
the Beers by means OF the railway
The Morning Post. on the contrary, a
CUES that the government would be mad
treat food as contraband, as "such acti,
would play into the hands of all possible (
ture enemies OF Great Britain" 1t admit
however. that steps should be taken al
money expended TO search vessels and
prevent munitions of war entering q
Transvaal by way OF Portuguese territor
The Standard says: 1--WE do not dou
that this matter is receiving the COVER
ment's serious attention AS the campai,
progresses IL becomes necessary to seize Z
railway at Komafi Poort.
The first batch OF Boer prisoners has a
rived In England.
II = announced that the government n