Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-01-04

Bay. s..:i 49, .'='Sf7s
London, Dec. 3O.-A dispatch to the
Daily Mail from Pietermaritzburg
says:
Every day reveals some new fact
regarding the strength of the Boer pc.
sition at Colenso. Thanks to the SER
vices of continental officers, the char
acter of the campaign has changed.
We are no longer fighting foe VINO
relies upon guerrilla tactics, but we
have to deal with what is rapidly be-
coming a disciplined army, enjoying
the advantage Of knowing the coun-
try and selecting the scene of con-
test without the burdens of cumber-
some commissariat. The Beers have
converted the hills near Colenso into
fortresses Of immense strength Ev-
erywhere they have splendid trenches,
many Of immense strength and many
of them bomb proof. Tramway lines
permit the shifting of guns with as
tonishing rapidity. The main posi-
tions are connected with the outlying
positions by underground passages,
and the forts proper bristle with ma
chine guns that command the ap>
proaches. Probably mines are laid.
One hears less nowadays about Boer
shells not bursting. Observers of the
Colenso fight say the Boer shell fire
was very effective. This is due large
marked off with white paint. The en-
emys discipline is improving. The
trenches represent great manual labor
FOR which no ROo1c hovo l-oo,, die
like The manner in which they have
restrained their fire while our troops
are advancing is another proof of inn
proved soldering
Dclagoa Bay for England.
New York, Dec. 3O.-,The Herald and
Tribune both have special dispatches
announcing that Portugal's colonies,
In part at least, are to be divided be-
tween Germany and England. The
dispatches are both based on a report
in the Berlin Lokalanzeiger which is
said to be unofficial The Tribune
says: '.-
1.-The announcement of the Berlin
Lokalanzeiger that under the secret
Btiplations of the treaty Germany will
take Portugals Asiatic colonies and
the territory north of Zambesi and
England Delagoa bay. is the most
startling news OF the day. The au-
thority is not official. and the. state
ment of concerted action by the two
powers against French and Russian
occupation must be accented with re-
serve until the foreign offices confirm
1t. The alleged payment of 25,OOO,OO0
marks for Germany's share in this ter
ritOrial trade also seems doubtful.
Some disclosure of this kind has been
expected in diplomatic circles for sew
eral Weeks-s1nce the necessity for
shutting off supplies Of arms and am.
munition from the Transvaal has be-
come apparent.
THE Russian press forecasts the oc-
cupatiOn of Herat as the first conse-
quence Of the occupation of Delagoa
bay by the British. Russian and
French rumors that all neutral pow
ers will intervene If England takes eff
fective measures for closing the back
door against the entrance Of contra
band of war into the Iransvaal are
colored by the general belief that there
is a secret agreement with Germany
relating to any emergency which may
arise on the east coast
London. Dec. Bottle Standard saws
that no credit should be given to the
rImor from Berlin of Il secret Anglo
German-Portuguese treaty for the par
tition of the colonies of Portugal.
Government Severely Criticised.
London. Dec. 30-During the contin-
ped lull in the military operations in
South Africa the papers are filled with
letters and articles criticising the gov
eminent and the campaign, and sug-
costing remedies, Improvements. alter
atiOns in the plans. and the like.
The Tines complains of censorship
and concealment. 1t says nothing has
transpired to show how Gen. Gatacre
came to lose 600 men at Stormberg.
The dispatches from the front all rep
resent the Beers as in a nervous con.
dition and constant dread of the Brit;
ish advance, but this is probably an
exaggeration. The Transvaal govern
n1ent,. according to information sup
piled by Boer sympathizers, threatens
10 reduce the rations Of British pris.
oners If Great Britain stops the entry
OF food by Delagoa bay. The British
government now evinces a marked
change from its attitude in the early
stages of the war and shows dispo-
sition to accept assistance from any
quarter. The imperial yeonanry CON-
mission has issued a statement to. the
effect that the government considers
the formation and dispatch of yeoman-
" as one of the most pressing needs
of the situation. and has intimated
that it Is now prepared to accept from
5000 to 10000 yeolnanry. instead Of
the 8 600 originally asked for. is555
Talk of a Compromise.
Durham, Natal, Dec. 80. . Mr., Wins
ton Churchill on, arriving here after
his escape from the Beers received a
tremendous ovation. He says, from
conversation with 4 members of. the
Transvaal executive at Pretoria, he I
learned that the Beers began the war
with t1epid ton, but that President
Kruger Is now Convinced that Great
Britain will soon sue for peace. In !
the highest I'ransyaals ii circles. Mr.
CHAM rlain says there is serious
talk OF compromise by which Great I
Britain Will cede the territory now IN
the hands of theNt two forces anu PAY
nifNnaHf