Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-01-01
But the Government Shows No Ex-
element Over British Seizure,
WAR NEWS FROM THE FRONT
British nj Lsdysmith Preparing FOR
"A sorue-toulii cling Statements
Of Conditions.


steamer Bundesrath OF the German
East African line. high official Of the
German foreign office. who was Inter-
Viewed by The correspondent Of the AS
ISOLATED Press, says:
silence must be preserved at pres
ent concerning the actual status OF the
negotiations which have been begun
with Great Britain about the matter.
Appropriate steps have been taken, Of
which Germany must await the result.
The matter Is regarded by Germany az
of the utmost importance, because ser
lousy involving the rights OF neu-
trails"
This afternoon the foreign secretary,
Count Won Buelow, conferred at the
foreign office with his Official advisers,
and then reported 10 the emperor. A
cabinet meeting Will consider the SELF
ure.
1t IL also asserted in government cir
cles that the British right TO search Is
questioned and that in any event the
British right TO stop passengers,
whether they intend to fight for the
Beers or not, Is strenuously disputed,
as the vessel upon which they were is
neutral, and the territory to which they
were proceeding, namely, Delagoa Bay,
is also neutral Redress, Il Is asserted.
will be insisted upon by Germany.
The German press today unanimous
ly condemns the British action In the
Bundesrath seizure. which is character
lied as IAN instance Of gross insOlence'
and as calculated sgaln TO illustrate
the need Of a powerful German navy to
render such oyerbearance on the part
Of England impossible In the future"
The National Zeitung strongly argues
that England had no right to interfere
with the Bundesrath. and expresses the
hope that she has not adopted nex-
ible theory regarding contraband.
The Lokal Anzeiger surmises that
there must have been a serious quarrel
between the commanders of the Bum
desrath and the Maglclenne before the
latter officer ''overstepped his prerosa>
tive in carrying OF ths steamer" and
expressed the hone that Germany viii
speedily enforce the release Of the
vessel"
Even the moderate Vossische Eel
tung calls the proceeding Character.
istlc Engllsh insolence," and adds that
the whole attitude Of the English be-
fore Delagoa Bay provokes a general
protest"
II Is significant that today the Ger.
man Flotterveeln distributed in Berlin
2VVoVO copies OF a strongly -worded
pamphlet, pointing out the need of a
strong German navy.
From we'll informed authority II Is
learned that preliminary negotiations
have been going on for some time be-
tween Great Britain and Germany in
LONDON for the purpose OF extending
the scope Of the treaty regarding the
Portuguese colonies, but that the
Asiatic colonies OF Portugal are not
comprised In the extension proposal
London. Jan. 1.-The morning papers
are inclined TO refrain from comment
Ing upon the Bundesrath incident.
pending further information The Daily
Chronicle says:
The incident was unfortunate. but
the Germans may await the result of
the inquiry with confidence In our fair
ness"
i"V SidHuiu says we reel sure
that Germany will recognize the unlm-
peaohable validity Of our position. We
snaH enforce such claims as we pos
sess with every desire to cause the
least possible inconvenience 10 trade
among friendly states; but at the same
time we shall act with firm determi-
nation TO assert our rights as a bellig-
erent power"
A e0rraS,nOAa,,t A..
Press at Sterkstroom. telegraphing
December LIST, says: Capt. Montmor-
ency Of the twenty-frst lancers. with n
patrol or 10, was accommodating eight
miles north Of Dordrecht. He met the
Beers at Labuschagne's Mex. They
opened fire and the British replied. The
hghting continued for six hours when
the Beers received strong reinforce
ments, including artillery. Capt. Mont
morency retired and took a defensive
position al Dordrecht. one BrIton wos
wounded. The Beers did not pursue
him. II Is believed that they retired on
their main body Their losses are not
knewn."
The following hellograph message has
been received by way OF weenan from
Ladysmith, dated Wednesday. Deem
Der e7th:
The Beers are actively bombarding
the town. one she'll struck the Devon.
shires' tent. killing Capt. Dalzcll and
woundlng seven leutenants. Dent.
Twiss Tringham Caffyn, Byrne. Scafe
and Kane
A later dispatch from Ladysmith by
way Of Weenan. dated Friday, Decem-
Der 2eth, says. "Ali well. The B,nrs
have been firing plugged shells con-
tanning plum pudding and the complI.
ments Of the season. They are sim
certifying their positions and are EVIL
IDENTIFY determined TO make firm
stand"
The war Office publishes the follow
ing dispatch yesterday from the gem
eral officer commanding at Capetown:
"Methuen's position Is unchanged.
French reports that the Beers, fearing
their communications could be cut BIZ
our cavalry. have retired TO Colesburg
Hear unofilcially from Sterkstroom that
q British reconnaissance seven miles
north OF Dordrecht. en- aged superior
forces and was Obliged 10 retire on
nordrecht."
The Daily Mail publishes the following
dispatch from Capetown: "NInety-fivc
per cent Of the Bechuanaland farmers In
the Vryburg district Joined the Beers.
helping them 10 loot the stores through
out the country north Of Orange river.
They also undertook TO invest Mafeking
while Gen. Cronje's men went eouth
TO meet Lord Methuen. The government
In Bechuansland Is being administered
as II the Dutch had been in possession
for oges."
A dispatch 10 the Daily Mail from
Kimberley, dated Friday, December
22nd. says I'VE have food enough for
three months. Fresh fruit and vegets-
bles are obtainabls daily from Ksuh-