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 al Ladysmith Preparing for
"A Sorue CONFLICTING Statements
OF Conditions

the German protected cruisers Condor
and schwalbe are now on the way 10
Delagoa Bay.
Regarding the seizure by the British
cruiser Maglclenne Of the Imperial mail
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 VIII consider the SELF
ure.
II Is also asserted in government cir
Giles that the British right 10 search Is
questioned, and that In any event the
British right 10 stop passengers,
whether they Intend 10 fight for the
Boers 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. II Is asserted,
viii be Insisted upon by Germany.
The German press today unanimous
~ condemns the British action in the
Bundesrath seizure, which Is character
lied as IAN Instance Of gross insolenee"
and as calculated again to Illustrate
the need OF powerful German navy to
render such overbearance on the part
Of England impossible In the future"
The National Zeltung strongly argues
that England had no right TO interfere
with the Bundesrath. and expresses the
hope that she has not adopted flex-
ible theory regarding contraband.
The Lokal Anzeiger surmises that
there must have been serious quarrel
between the commanders Of the Bun,
desrath and the Maglcienne before the
latter officer Toyerstepped his preross
Tive IN carrying off the steamer" and
expressed the hope that, Germany win
speedily enforce the release OF the
vessel"
Even the moderate vossische Eel
tung calls the proceeding character
istic English insolence," and adds that
the whole attitude OF the English be,
fore Delagoa Bay provokes a general
protest"
1t Is significant that today the, Ger,
man Flottervereln distributed in Berlin
ZW0V0 copies OF a strongly -worded
pamphlet, pointing out the need of a
strong German navy.
From a well informed authority II n
learned that preliminary negotiations
nave been going on for some time be-
tween Great Britain and Germany in
London for the purpose OF extending
me scope OF the treaty regarding the
Portuguese colonies, but that the
Aslatic 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. hut
the Germans may await the result of
the Inquiry with confidence In our fair
ness"
The Standard says: I'VE feel sure
that Germany will recognize the unlm-
peachable validity Of our position. We
shall enforce such claims as we pos
sess with every desire to cause tho
least possible inconvenience TO trade
among friendly states; but at the same
time we shall act with firm deternl.
nation to assert our rights as a bellig-
erent power"
A correspondent OF the Associated
Press at Sterkstroom. telegraphlng
December LIST, says: Capt. Montmor-
ency OF the twenty-frst lancers. with a
patrol OF 100, was accommodating eight
miles north Of Dordrecht. He met The
Beers at Labuschagne's Mex. They
opened fire and the British replied. The
fighting continued for six hours when
the Beers received strong reinforce
ments. including artillery. Capt. Mont
morency retired and took defensive
position at Dordrecht. One Briton was
wounded. The Beers did not pursue
MN. IL is believed that they retired on
their main body. Their losses are not
knewn."
The following Telegraph message has
been received by way OF Weenan from
Ladysmith. dated Wednesday, Decem-
Der 9th:
THE Boers are actively bombardlng
the town. One shell struck the Devon.
shires' tent, killing Capt. Dalzell and
woundlng seven lieutenants. Dent,
Twiss. Tringham, caffyn, Byrne scsfe
and Kane"
A later disnatch from Ladysmith by
way OF Weenan, dated Friday. Deem.
Der 2eth, says: "All well. The B.prs
have been firing plugged shells con-
tanning plum pudding and the compli-
ments OF the season. They are stlll
terrifying 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 BY
our cavalry. have retired 10 Colesburg
Hear unoficially from Sterkstroom that
British reconnaissance seven miles
north OF Dordrecht, engaged superior
forces end was Obliged to retire on
Dordrecht."
The Daily Mail publishes the following
dispatch from Capetown: "Ninety-five
per cent Of the Bechuanaland farmers In
the Vryburg district Joined the Beers.
helping them to loot the stores through
out the country north OF Orange river.
They also undertook to invest Mafeking
while Gen. Cronje's men went south
To meet Lord Methuen. The government
in Bechuanaland is being administered
as II the Dutch had been in possession
for ages"
A dispatch to the Daily Mail from
Kimberley. dated Friday December
22nd. says: I'VE have food enough for