The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1900-01-05

London, Dec. 50.-A dispatch to the
Daily Mail from Pietermaritxburg
says:
Every day reveals some new fact
regarding the strength of the Boer po.
sition at Colenso. Thanks to the SER
vices Of continental officers, the char
acter Of the campaign has changed.
We arc no longer fighting Il foe VINO
relies upon guerrilla tactics, but we
have to deal with what is rapidly be-
coming 4 disciplined army, enjoying
the advantage of knowing the coun-
try and selecting the scene of con-
test without the burdens of cumber-
some colnmissariat The Beers have
converted the hills near Colenso into
fortlesses Of immense strength. Ev-
erywherc 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-
lions are connected with the outlying
positions Ivy 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
Colenso fight say the Boer shell fire
WAS very effective: This is due large
ly to the fact that distances are
marked of with white paint. The en-
emy'S discipline is improving. The
trenches represent great manual labor
for which the Beers have keen dis
like. The manner in which they have
restrained their fire while our troops
.lts iS 1,xa,s Of I'm
proved soldering
Dclagon bay for England.
New York, Dec. 3O.-'rhe Herald and
Tribune both have special dispatches
announcing that Portugars colonies,
in part at least, are to be divided be-
tween Germany and England. The
dispatches are beth based OH a report
i'll the Berlin Lokalanzeiger. which is
said to be unofficial. The Tribune
says:
The announcement of the Berlin
Lokaianzeiger that under the secret
stip!ations of the treaty Germany will
take Portugal's. Asiatic colonies and
the territory north of Zambesi. and
England Delagoa bay, is the most
startling news of the day. The au-
tllority is not official. and the state
mcnt Of concerted action by the two
powers against French and Russian
occupation must be accepted with re-
serve until the foreign offices confirm
it, The alleged payment of 25OO0,O 900
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
clal wccks-since the necessity for
shutting off supplies of arms and am
munition from the Transvaal has be-
come apparent.
The Russian press forecasts the Oc-
cupaticn of Herat rs the first collsc-
HueEce OF the occupation of Delagoa
bay by the British. Russian and
French rumors that all neutral pow
rrs will intervene if England takes eff
fective measures for closing the back
door against the entrance of contra
bard OF war into the TraEsvaal are
colorcd by the general belief that there
is secret agreement with Germany
relating to any emergency which may
arise OH the east coast"
London, Dec. 3O.-The Standard saws
that no credit should he given to the
rt:nlor from Berlin of a secret Anglo
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS treaty for the par
titicn Of the colonies Of Portugal
Government Severely Criticized.
London, Dec. 3O-During the c3l,tin-
ncd lull in the military operations in
South Africa the papers are filed with
letters and articles criticisIng the gov
crnmcnt and the campaign. and sug-
gesting remedies. improvements, alter
;ltl0ns in the plans and the like.
rhe Tines complains of censorship
and concealmcnt. 1t says nothing has
traaspired to show how Gen. Gatacre
came to lose COO men Mt Stormbcrr
Tho dispatches from the front all rep
resent the Roers as in a nervous con-
Aition and constant dread of the Brit
ish advance. but this is probably nm
exnggeration. The Iransvaal govern
ment, according to information sup
piled by Boer sympathizers. threatens
to reduce the rati0ns Of British pris
oners it Great Britain stops the entry
of food by Delagoa bay. The British
government now evinces q marked
change from it's attitude in the early
stages of the war and shows n dispo-
sition to accept assistance from any
quarter. The imperial .yeomanry com
mission has issued statement to the
eHcSl lHdt TIC government considers
the formation and dispatch of yeoman-
~ as one of the most pressing needs
Of the situation, and las intimated
that it is now prepared to accept from
5000 to 10000 yeomanry. instead of
the 5000 originally asked for.
Talk of a Compromise.
Durham, Natal. Dec. 3O.-Mr. Wins.
ton Churchill on arriving. here after
his escape from the Beers received a
tremendous ovation. He saws. from
conversation with members of the
'i'ralsvaal executive at Pretoria. he
learned that the Beers began tho war
with tcpidation, but that President
Kruger is now Convinced that Great
Britain will soon sue for peacc. In
the highest Transvaal circles, AIR.
Chamberlain says, there is serious
talk Of compromise by which Great
Britain will cede the territory now in
the hands of the two forces and nav.
sill indemnity Of 100000, 900, besides
guaranteeing the complete indepen-
dellcs, of the Transvaal.
England Will Patrol the Atlantic.
s. New York Dnc 2O-A cnooio1|%c Az.