The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1900-01-04
THE SOUTH AFRICAN War
Character Of the Campaign Ha: En-
tireiy Changed.
B0E2S' UP-T0-DATE METHODS

! IuSeta-knc IrInsr8h torces are
Now Disciplined ArmIes-Besegei i
! Garrisons Are in No Immediate
LoSroN (By Cable).- A dispatch 20 tho
Daily Mail from PletermaritzourS says:
Every day reveals some new fact re-
| SardinG the strength OF the Boer position
I at Colenso. Thanks to the services OF Con-
| tinental officers. the character OF the cam
paign has changed. We are no longer
fighting II foe who relies upon guerilla tao
tics; but we Lave to deal with what is
rapidly becoming a disciplined army, en-
joying the advantages of knowing the
country and OF selecting the scene OF con-
test without the burdens OF cumbersome
commissaria..
"The Beers have conve-ed the hills near
Colenso into fortresaes OF immense
strength. Everywhere they have splendid
trenches, many OF them bomb proof.
Tramway lines permit the shifting OF guns
with astonishing rapidity. The main posi-
tions are connected with the outlying
positions by underground passages, and
the forts proper bristle with machine guns
mines are laid.
''Tho enemy's discipline is improving.
The trenches represent great manual labor,
70. which the Beers have keen dislike,
and the way in which they restrained their
fire when our troops We're advancing Is an
other proof OF improved soldering"
The Modder River correspondent OF the
Daily Chronicle gives an explanation OF II
sudden rife fire inexplicably opened from
tha Roar fraOphns He SayS.
1.-The Beers have wires stretched along
the ground In trout Of the trenches and
connected with lamps. II wire be
touched lamp Is extlnguished, thus CIV
ing warning. One night high wind ex-
tinguished lamp, which resulted In a
false warning. The fire ceased when the
Beers discovered that the alarm was
false"
A correspondent OF the Daily News at
Frere Camp announces that tramway Is
being constructed from the railway to
hill commanding the Boer position, and
that along this the British will convey
heavy guns.
In view OF the apparent supineness OF the
British commanders in preventing the
daily strengthening and extending OF the
Boer positions along the Tugela aud
Modder Rivers, which are now con-
sidered to be practically impreSnable,
many experts here are coming to the
conclusion that the British have given
up the idea Of carrying these posi-
tion5 by assault, and will await the
transport and cavalry required to give
their forces necessary mobility, when they
hope to be in position to besiege the
Beers In their respective forts, |hile Gem
2ral Roberts carries out the original plan
OF campaign. that Of advancing straight
north on Bloemtontein, the other generals
detaching sufficient mobile troops to reach
their goals by clrcuitous routes.
There is nothing in the official or best
independent reports to indicate that the
beleaguered garzisons are in any special
straits calling for immediate relief. The
latest advices from Kimberley, where Il
shortage Is most feared, report plenty OF
food.
According to dispatch from La lysmith
there are many cases OF cnteric fever in
town, hut not enough to cause alarm. On
the other hand, reports from Boer sources
on the Continent assert that typhoid fever
Is epidemic in Ladysmith.
The latest independent news from Lady
smith says:
'"rhe field Notifications would now with
stand any organized attack the enemy Is
likely to deliver. There are sufficient
foodstuffs for two months. The question
OF forage might be troublesome, but since
the rams there has been some grazing
within the British lines. There Is no horse
sickness.
"rhe casualties caused by our shell-flre
are increasing, and the Beers are reported
to be becoming nervous. They fear night
sorties, and constantly open heavy fusil-
lade on an imaginary attack"