New-York tribune., 1901-12-31
EYES ON SOUTH AMERICA.
ENGLISH INTEREST IN THE GERMAN
VENEZUELAN IMBROGLIO
WARsHIPS FOR CHILL AND ARGENTINA
ZEEFONTEIN A SECOND MAJUBA HILL
Copyright; 1901: BY The New-York Tribune)
IBY TO TIE TRIRuNEl

Copyright; 1901: By The New-Yor1 Tribune)
TBY TO THE TRIBUNE.I
London, Dec 81. l a. m.-The outcome of the
dispute between Germany and Venezuela is re-
garded with anxiety here and consols, which
Mr.. Gladstone once described as the most in
tegent of all things inanimate fell three-six-
teenths on apprehension as to the attitude that
may be adopted by America. There are at
least three railways in Venezuela which have
been constructed by British capital and the
English shareholders are watching with anxious
interest for the sequel to the present disturbed
state of the country. Information which is
reaching London from the representatives of the
various companies is of very scanty nature
So far it would seem the English property
has not been seized but it is feared that this
immunity will not be long
In well informed Venezuelan circles in Lon
don President Castro is blamed for all the
present disorders. He is accused of having
sacrificed the peace and prosperity of his coun-
try to his own personal pride. and an improve
ment is not looked for until he has been de-
posed.
Both Chill and Argentina are eagerly negotiat-
ing for the purchase Of warships IN Great
Britain. Chill has, 1t is said been lucky enough
to acquire two torpedo boat destroyers now be-
ing built on the Thames to the order of Brazil
WHICH idller country has Deen tempted by tne
good price offered to sell These vessels could
he launched at the end of next month. Ar
gentina has large cruiser the stocks at
Elswick. but it cannot be delivered until next
summer
1t is now possible 10 sum up the full extent
of the blow which De Wet inflicted on the
British at Zeefonteln Christmas morning. Cor
rected lists of the British casualties show 81
ed ii IeI ay,1 y,riSn biC
means that Firmans column annihilated.
the four companies OF yeOmanTy of which it
was composed would not in any event have
comprised more than four hundred men. and
the probability is that each company was slight
ly below its full strength. The newspapers are
calling Zeefontein another Majuba and GER
tainly its terrible results bring back very
vividly the disaster to Sir George Colley's force
in February 1851. At Zeefontein, as at Ma
juba, the British were encamped upon hill
with precipitous side, the other being a
gentle slope and in each case the Beers sue
ceeded in climbing the side that was supposed
to be impregnable. At Majuba there a
panic, and the British defeat sufficient to
end the war, but al Zeefonteln the British SOL
diers displayed deeds of gallantry, and the bat
tie itself little more than incident in a
long drawn out campaign. DE Vets tactics are
likewise compared with Wolfe's at Quebec. and
the conclusion is arrived at that a position ap-
parently of great natural strength may also
be in itself a OF disaster.
The King and Queen left Marlborough House
yesterday for SandrinGham The Queen was
wrapped up more warmly than IS usually the
case, and looked paler than she ordinarily
does but she dispensed with any assistance
and although rather weak. walked uuaided to
the saloon car 1t is understood that their majes-
ties will stay at Sandringham for fortnight,
with possibly a Weekend visit TO town in the
interval.
Considerable amusement has been caused 70
many people by the knowledge that the Wake
field who is stated to have rented Ditton Park
can only be identified with the Wakefield now in
the East Cambridge prison. But the estate
agents who let DttOn Park regard the matter
In very serious light. They declare positively
that the place has been let 10 Curtis Wakefield
His references, they say, were second 10 none,
bur If his character is not satisfactory. their
client will not accept him as a tenant. Curtis
Wakefield is believed to have left Southampton
last Friday week for America