The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-01-01
HEOUTLOOK Is GLOOMY
For British Arms In South Africa at the
Beginning Of the New Year.
LADYsnlIH IS IN a CRITICAL POSITION
This II Evidenced by the Fact that
BusIcr Has Bccn Wiling 10 Sac
rificc HIS Plan OF Campaign.

New York. December al.A dispatch to
the Tribune from London. dated January
/. says: The new year opens gloomily
for England, with record of miseal-
eulations and disaster in South Africa,
to be retrieved at great cost OF life and
treasure and with regulations OF gem
erals In the Held and OF ministers at home
hanging upon the Issue Of battle during
the next few weeks. There is no lack OF
criticism and fatiltfndng in the press,
and there are signs Of anxiety IN min
isterial circles over tho political effects
OF additional regerses to British arms.
but there Is also hopeful feeling in
duced by fresh proofs OF the incapacity
of the Dutch allies to hake use OF their
opportunities. The Boer victories OF
Stormbcrs, Msgersfontein and colonso
have not been followed up in any instance
There have been no successful raids on
The lines Of communication and Lady
smith. Kimberley ana Matching nave uot
been overwhelmed by superior numbers
and guns. There is a record Of Boer fail
ures ss we'll AS British defeats
The budget OF news received at mid
might vas light one. The arrival OF
. Cape steamer has brought large
mail, and all the morning journals PRINT
letters from their special correspondents.
The most Interesting letters are tnoee
published ia the Standard the Times and
other journals irom Ladysmitn, in winch
incidents OF the siege and garrison life
are described The writer's arc wisely
retirent ran important points and leal
Lightly un 30 he.
ton z-lt there IS llttla Doubt that the
garrison has been short OF ammunition
and thar knowledge 81 this facr has n.
henced General Bltller In eacrihcing his
original plan " campaign ard missing
his forces for be renei OF l>adysmlth,
lic is still calling 10 reinforccments. fot
Tie Majestic las ecGe to lurhan with
another ha'teiirn and numerous drafts.
No ADDITIONAL battelions OF infantry will
a week.
Indications slill points % battle of
TIN end Of this week. qlhougA there may
he delays through a mule transport ser-
VICE which General Butler rs evidently
orgeniyins on q large scale
The Tugeia Is reported In R3od from The
hcaFy rains and The passage OF the river
viii he most difhrult
Ness from the western border Is mta-
Der There are heipted ac,ounts Of
Gun practice ny he naval brigade at Mod
der river. which is constantly imrr0vug.
one Dispatch described the havoc made
By naval gun which had found the
range for He main source of the water
supply toe She Hoar camp
British accounts OF Baden POWELL sor-
Tie can not De expected for several days
The botr official dispatches state that
Two well known officers; ole OF them a
pon 81 The prime minister ware wounded
anu this has caused much anxiety In the
world OF Wealth aud tashion Lord Ed.
ward Cocii's wife 10 the daughter of Ad.
mi al MaNse, and is now IN south Africa
Lord Charles Cayendish Benpinok is a
ha.f brother OF the Duke OF Portland ant
Is an officer OF hrilhan. promise.
grim story Is told OF Lord salisbur,
IN connection with the service OF his sor
Under Baden Powell az Mnfekng hp
was offered az the opening Of tho wai
special facilities for getting carly oople,
q dispatches from Matching but replied
ihat he could take his turn and wal, to
the newspapers like other people.
The war office reported at midnight
that LORD Methuens situation was un.
changed but that the Beers had retired h
Coleshurs from their ntrenchments nj
Renshurg. The British cavalry from Dord
reeht had met with a superior force 0
ne enemy and withdrawn In good orde
after skirmlsh.