The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-12-28
BOERS MPRDGNlBLE
Winston Churchill Tells Of Their
Strongly Fortified Position.
oosrIDEEoR n GENERAL BuLLER


the aadsr-in-Chief Caused a
Pafnful Inpressien, ana His Sol
diers Are Resolved to vindicate His
London, Dec. 28.--winston Church
Ills new arrival at Chieveley camp 10
perhaps responsible for some over
coloring Of the gravity OF the situation.
preston that Butler may be intending
another attack upon the Boer position.
Certainly the Beers are not inactive.
At both Modder River and Tugela they
are said to BE- strengthening their
forces and extending defense works,
which, in both cases, are seemingly
almost impregnahle.
In a dispatch describing his escape
lseahin gables as follows:
4 J rsi,w.y Assslsd myself
sacks. l had snfxf go
water. ! remained hidden so, chancihs
discovery. The Beers searched the
train at Komatipoort, but did not
search deep enough. After some 60
hours Of misery came safely here.
am very weak. but am free. l have
lost many pounds in weight, but am
light In heart"
The Morning Post has received the
following from Mr.. Churchill, under
date of Dec. rs. telegraphed from
Chieveley camp:
''All ranks have complete confidence
in Sir Redvers Butler, and there Is
stern determination to succeed next
time at all costs. A painful impression
was caused by the announcement OF
the change Of commander-in-chief,
and the soldiers here are resolved to
vindicate their trusted leader.
1.-THE situation, nevertheless, Ii DIFF
flcult, the Boer position being one OF
extraordinary strength with high hills
lined tier on tier with trenches and
galleries, rising from an unfordable
river, and with smooth plain in front.
1.-THE enemy have all the ranges
marked, and many powerful guns DOM
mate the various points Of the river,
while the drifts are commanded by
converging musketry fire from prob
ably 10000 Beers. There are l6 miles
of wild, broken country before reach
ing Ladysmith, which demands early
relief"
The naval guns at Chieveley began
Smelling the Boer position at 8 O'Clock
Tuesday morning, using lyddite. The
shelling continued about two hours.
Ever since the engagement at Coienso
the enemy have been theoretically i'm
proving their entertainments. They
can be seen galloping freely from hill
to hill.
Although the two armies were In
sight of each other all of Christmas
day. with the temperature 102 degrees
in the shade, the British enjoyed char
acteristic Christmas cheer.
Captains Gleenfell and Kirkwood, Of
the South African Light Horse. left
Chieveley camp Sunday to inspect the
patrols along the eastern hills. Their
horses returned at night alone.
A special correspondent of The Daily
Chronicle, telesraphing from Sterk-
stroom, Cape Colony, says: Strong
measures are necessary to check the
hostile feeling among the Dutch col
onists. whose sedition is shown in the
removal of railway bolts, the obstruc-
ton of bridges and culverts and at
tacks upon solitary horsemen. Dis
affection is bound to increase, unless
immediate reinforcerents are forth
coming. The loyal Dutch and British
settlers are becoming alarmingly i'm
patient"
Dispatches from Mcdder River rep
resent Dutch disaffection in Griqua-
land west as growing very serious.
In some towns the entire Dutch popu-
lation has joined the Beers. Even in
districts that have not been visited by
the Beers the Dutch farmers are rid
ing about armed. This is the case also
in districts only so miles from Cape
Town, where seditious movement is
busily propogated. The British forces
are inadequate to guard 1000 miles
of communications.
A dispatch from Mafeking says that
Lady Sarah Wilson, aunt of the Duke
| of Marlborough, who was captured by
| the Beers while acting as correspond
ent for London paper, has arrived
there, having been EXCHANGED for Viii
! joen, notorious horse thief and con-
! Wet.