The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-01-15
WAR LINES
STILL TAUT
The Beers Hold Their
Positions.
.FRENCH'S SLIGHT SUCCESS
Everybody is Waiting for Something
Important to Happen on the
TugeIa River.

LONDON. Dec. 2s.-The Morninl
Post has received the following from
Winston Churchill under date OF De.
cember 26th, telegraphed from Chiev-
eley Camp, where he has arrived:
"All ranks have complete confidence
in Sir Redvers Butler, and there is a
stern determination to succeed next
time at all costs. A painful impression
was caused by the announcement of the
change of commander-in-chief. and the
soldiers here are resolved To yindicate
their trusted leader.
The situation, nevertheless. Is diff
ficult, the Boer position being one OF
extraordinary strength. with high hills
lined tier on tier with trenches and gal
leries. rising from an almost unford-
able river and with a smooth plain in
front The enemy have all the ranges
marked and many powerful guns domi-
nate the various points OF the river
while the drifts are commanded by con-
verging musketry fire from probably
12. 600 Beers. There are sixteen miles
Of wild. unbroken country before
reaching Ladysmth. which demands
early relief"
How Churchill Escaped.
LONDON. Dec. 27.-winston Spencer
Churchill has cabled the Morning Post
an account of his escape from captiyi-
~ with the Beers after having been
made a prisoner in the reconnaissance
of an armored train at Estcourt The
dispatch. which is dated LourenzO
Marquee. December 21st, says:
"On the afternoon OF December 10Th
the Transyaal Secretary OF War in
formed me that there was little chance
of my release. /. therefore. resolved
TO escape. and the same night I left the
State Schools Prison in Pretoria by
climbing the wall when the sentries'
backs were turned momentarily. 7
walked through the streets OF the
town without disguise. meeting many
burghers. but was not challenged in
the crowd. ] got through the pickets
OF the town guards and stuck to the
Delagoa Bay Railroad. | walked along
II. evading the watchers at the bridges
and culverts. and waited for a train
beyond the first station. The 11:1O
o'clock goods train from Pretoria had
arrived before l reached the place and
was moving al full speed. I boarded IL
with great difficulty and hid under
coal sacks. / jumped from the train
before dawn and was sheltered during
the day in a small wood in company
with a huge vulture. who displayed a
lively interest In me.
81 walked along at dusk. There were
no more trains that night. The danger
of meeting the guards of the line con-
tinued. but / was Obliged TO follow IL.
as | had no compass or map. / had to
make wide detours TO avoid bridges.
stations and huts, and so my progress
was very slow.
Chocolate is not a satisfying food.
The outlook was gloomy. but / per-
severed with Gods help. For five days
my food supply was pTecarious. ! was
lying up by daylight and walking
nights.
Meanwhile my escape had been dis
covered and my description tele-
graphed everywhere. All trains were
searched and every eye was on the
watch for me. Four times the wrong
people were arrested. The sixth day
I managed to board a train beyond
whence there was direct
service TO DelagOa bay.
"In the evening concealed myself i'm
a railway truck under a great pile OF,
sacks. / had a small store of good wa
ter. remained hidden. CHANGING dis
cOvery. The Beers searched the train
AZ KOmatipOort. but did not search
deep enough. After some sixty hours
Df misery / came safely here. I am
very weak. but am free. / have lost
many pounds in weight, but am light
IN heart shall avail myself OF every
henceforth 10 urge earnest
" the unfiinching and uncompromis-
ng prosecution OF the war"
Fears for Queens Health.
NEW YORK. Dec. 3O.-A cable tol
he World from London SAYS. Queen
Vic-oria's sudden journey on Thursday
rom Windsor 20 Osborne. Isle oil
Wight. was undertaken on the urgent
advice Of her doctors. who were fear
ul Of the consequences OF her cOntin-
led and obstinate insomnia. in which. |
1wing TO her advanced age. opiate
reatment IS dangerous. The plan was
nat the court should remain az Wind |
.oT Castle until January 9th. but the
queen had a restless night on Tuesday. /
md arrangements were hurriedly made I