THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3RD, 1900
NEWS VIA AUSTRALTA.
DISASTRE TO DOAT,
Lor, 8th December. The Altsbargh lifeboat aspained in a gulo,off the coast of Suffolk yesterday, Se
Six of the orow ware drowned, and the re mainder, uumbering 12, were rescued with difficulty.
A
BRITISKX TRADE-
Unadou, 8th December, The Board of Trado returns for November have been published. They show that the value of the imports Lad loorensed by £3,175,897, and the ruins of the esporis had norised by 14,752,793, as compared with the imports and exports for the corresponding month of last year. Included in the inocease of exports is a en vepresenting the value of new ships not embraced in the owonnt for the corresponding mouth of the preceding your.
PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION,
London, 8th December. Mr. Dawkinson, a Conservative, has been elected moparsed to the House of Commons for the Well Division of Soninsetshire.MY OGRMANY,THE PROPOSED INCREASE IN
TAK NAVY G
London, 7th December, Prince Halianjole, the Imperial Chancellor of Germany, has issued a deores rapsaling the recent prohibition against the union of political sociatios in the Empire.
This action, bug it is understood, been taken with the view of propitiating the Reichstag, and to indues the chamber to regard the Navy Increase Bill in a favourable light.
*
London, 7th December. Mr. Pretorius, a member of the Natal House of Assembly, has been arrested on a phage of ticason
HEITISH PRONKES AT PRETORIA
London, 5th December.
The British primenera at Pretoria, who according to dispatch rocbital sente weke age were being well treated, are allowed to purchase beer and newagsporą.
THE BUUTOS KEASSURED. CMR Endon, Sth December: Aceonate of the British victcrios at Grasejan and-Modder River have greatly reassured the Baentos, who were mossy on account of Boar plotting..
THE WOUNDED WELCOMED NURSES FOR "THE"
BY THE QUEEN,
London, 6th Decembar, The Queen has presented at Windsor Custlo a Union Juok to a number of nurses who have offered their mrvices in connection with the In welcoming the war in Bonth Africa.
as her Majesty romarkel,. "How sweet of von to care for my men."" MANUFACTURING SHELLS AT KIMBERLEY.
Lonilon, 6th Decoriber. The workshops at the De Beers mive, Kim berley, have been converted into an arsenal and are making shetle
BRIGADIER-GENERAL YULE INVALIDED. London, 6th December.
Loudan, 5th Decembör Turther details of the battle at Modder River are to band.
On several ocasions during tui progress of the ghs lie Boers collected under shelter of the Red Cross tag and fired from the position.
During the afternoon a party of about 200 Boers galloped of the field.
The marique mada splendid practice with their old guns, and exploded shells in the zufuat of the fugitives,
During the fight a panic bruke ont amongst the Tree State Artillery, which bolted from tho fakt, The Tensraal forces accase their silies of towardice.
Harrowing sorues were witnessed on the battlefok on the morning after the fight. Mans Boers were hastily buried where they foll
A number of buildings in the vicinity were filled with wounded Bears awaiting attention. at the hands of the umbalance officers. Tho groasa of the wounded ware heartrending. The walls and roofs of the buildings were riddled with shot
In one trench, from which the enamy bad been drivos ut the point of the bayonet, thros dead Higblandars wore found. One of them had in his grasp the rifle of an enemy, from wtiom it, had bebu wrested in u hand-to-hand. eaconater.
Prisoners who wers brought into the British camp report that General Urje whipped › Brigading-Genora! Yule is returning to Enguany Boer soldiers to prosent them from 10- land on coenat of broken health
log. COMMANDEERING OF EXOLISHMEN.
- Loading 7th December. Eleven Englishmen are being tried by coort.dan bullets. martini at Ladybrand, near the south-eastern border of the Orange Free State, for totusing to be vagamandeared.
INTERPERING WITH THE BRITISK MERCANTILE MARINE.
Londen, 6th Demember. Admiral Dupont, of the Froosh Nary, de clarul in a recrut statement that the French Navy was ready and able to bring many Aininamas, against the British thereby inter-surrey male of the country from the Natal fering with Great Britain's mivenafils marine. DEATH OF AN IRISH JUDGE.
London. 6th December.
The death is announced of Mr. Justica O'Brien, the judge who tried the Irish: "In vivibles" in 1888,
MASSACRES IN ARMENIA.
London, 3th December.
A Kentoy's message states that Kurdish sire- cities bare takes place in Ainsanió.
The Kurds pil aged the village of Kestur and massured three hatred of the inhabitants.
MADAME TELDA IN DERLIN,
Loadou, 5th December. Madame Melba yesterday appeared in the ape of Lucia di Lammermoor" at Berlin. The Emperor and Empreis of Germany were present. The performatics was lost success-
BOER SUBVKYR AT MARITZBURG.
Logilon, 7th December. It has transpired that Genend Jorbert had a
froutier to Pistarmaritzburg lost spring.
'COINING AT PRETORIA,"
London, 7th December. The mint at Pretoria, is coining £100,000 monthly, the gall being they result of erashings at the Bounza, Robinson, and Ferrina Devi
BRITISH BLOOD AND TREASURE NOT TO B
VAINLY BACRIFICED.
Loudou. 7th Decuber. Speaking at the Mercers' Hall last night, Mr. W. H Log, president of the Board of Agriculture, said that the Government was determined that British blog al trensure, shond not be vainly sacrificed in South Afrin, DURATION OF THE WAR
London, 7th December, Mr. J. B. Robinson, the South Africa
f. It was declared that never had such ex-milionairo, who is at present in Europe, con thasing bena displayed at a. Berlin theatre.
INDUSTRIAL CUNI MACIE „CORFORATION, London, 5th December.
Mr. Justice Wright, who investigated the eirs of the Industrial Contracts Corporatiou, bas uzonerated from bi mo the Lord Mayor of Loudon. Alderman Altral James Newton, and
his co-directors,
terday:
THE 1.S. PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
London, 6th December.
siders that the fighting strength of the Boers is weakening. He believes that the war will soon be over.
PRESIDENT KRUGER'S ASPIRATION,
Lendon, 8th December.
Examinations made by British Army Bur geons show that the Boars used expansive dam.
London, 8th December. At the battle of Madder River the British troops were almost maddened by thirst. They ecald get no water, because the watercarts ware nable to approach the zode of Bro'an account of the awful lot of ballets.
General Cronje, vko.commanded the Boers, considered that the defences in had thrown up would be capable of withstanding tho attack. of the British for the works.
The Boer aminunition barriors to the liring
wore the red ocons.
Labdou, th December, Earl de la Warr, correspondout for The Globe, was nearly shot while assisting the wounded ut Modder River,
Londos. th December. Major Count Gleichen, of the Grenadier Gaards, who was wonded at the battle of Med- der Rirer, has a bullbodded in his neck. COMMANDEERING IN BECHUANALAND,
Tandon, 4th December, The Boers at Faritsani sold the, honsus, phughs, and calfo of residents, by action, gring Trausraalde three months' credit.
They have commandegret all whites in Be- closanland fromthe age of 14 years upwards.
SCIENINIC. MISCELLANY.
From a recentiscussion by the British As- tronomical Socio, it appears that the case of Colony and British High Commissioner in
Lord Loch, for six years Governor of Cape a nueb-obeerrel henomenon is still a mystery. The new theory was offered by Mr. Cecit J. South Africa, referral to the situation in South Dolmage that the apparent enlargement of the Africa during the course of a speech at the T-moon is an effected the sky's curvatues, which perial Institute last night. He said that Pre-is not poticed at the genith but apparently in- The United States Congwees was opened yesident Krager often desired the independence of creases toward the horizon. This recalled the the Transvaal, and had aspired to the establish many other cations of recnut yours. A President Xinley's message to Congressment of says. The speaker guse it as his Belgiau astroner has sought to prove that "occupies "eighteen columts in the newspapers opinion that the progress of suflebout in South the cause is physiologiel, and that objecta
and is prononaced timid and volaneless.
Africa suust absorb the Republics,
overhead alwaseem smaller than those at tho same distance ei à level; another idea is that the canse is atspheric, still another, that the Mr. Robertson (a friend of Mt. Cecil Rhodes),lusion is pental. About the only thing who was held by the Boers on a charge of ille rally provars that measurempat with the gally eruiting in Pretoria, has been acquittal. Sextant shows moon's diae to have the same Mr. Robertson assorted that he was merely eat the borzas at the capita, except for the assisting in the venoval of women and children sight infport of refraction. from the TransTaal:
The massage states that, apart from the ne gotiations for the determination of the boundary of Alaska, the relations of the Guited States with Great Britain are most friendly, althongh an entangling alliance would be avoided. If Congress would not authorise the Government to lay down a cable from San Francisco to Manila private competition in cable laying would be enenraged.
Turkey had been warned that the situation of American citizens in the Ottoman Empire was quentinfactory.
The tassage concluded by stating that it wh impossible for the United States to abandon the Philippines.
AUSTRIAN. FRIENSHIP FOR ENGLAND. Loudon, 3rd December.
TR. ROBERTSON ACQUITTED.
London, 8th December.
London, 6th December.
--,'
German oferiments suggest defective water THE POSITION AT LADYSMITH.
gegen as the cause of many-if not wet-- zysterious Soler explosions. Using magno. News from Ladysmith sud Coleuso' statesc indioato C. Bemischel alitained in arm of. that the hills around those places aro dotted low water while the ordinary ghes gage showed with large guns. On the elevations surrounding four inchesplore the mardium level. A defect Ladysmith twenty- ix guns have been comated,
Landon, 7th December.
There is no passions regarding the position at Ladysmith. Numbers of the mon amuse themselves at ericket, football, and rowing, and the Gorton Highlanders celebrated St. At- drew's Day necording to the Scottish custom.
Count A, Goluchowski, the Austrian Minister for Foreign A.Cairs in an optimistic speech stated that the guaerat outlook in Continental Politics inspirert confidence. Io expr ssed the hope that the Snuta Atrictu-conflict world renia localised, and said that Anstrin stond on the fooling of her old and madisturbed friends decised by Caplain Scolt of E.MS ship for Fagtand,
FRENCH ANN GEHMAN ATTACKS ON THE
QUREN,
London, 6th December.
A ribald auti-British song, which oncladed with a gross insult to her Majesty the Queen, has been seized in Paris by the police.
London, th December.
A number of German caricatures of the Queen have been seized in Paris.
PREBENT-STRENGTH OF THE DIVISIONAL COMMAXAS IN BOUTH AFRICA, Sir Redvers Bulier, the Commander-in- Chief, who is inayching from Frers to the re fief of Talysraith, lus 44,000 men under his commed, including volunteers.
The searchlight apparatus, in uas for the pur- pose of signalling from Feers to Ladysmith,
Trible.
the tightness of the steam pipe leading to the top cock was found, and when this was fa- medied the water level in the glass, fell six inebes.
It has ben assumed that the depth of un- varying temperature in the soil increases from
fast at the equator to 70 odd foot at the polos. Tet i shaft in northern Siberia has rezeleri a depth of 1500 feet without gutting through the frost Awstern mining engineer explirs London, Sth December that this pay not disprove the theory, as the Ladysmith was safe on the 5th ins ant. deep freetu may tea rosult of annual enamu The situation is daily becoming more diffilations ofdiment on antiated ground. call. The bombartment by the enemy bas done considerable damage.
The wounded bare been removed from the hospital owing to the Genera flags not being respected by the query. A shell burst. iu the vicinity of the building. Que io valid was killed and nine others were wounded.
THE BATTLE OP MONDER RIVER.
Coffeeburissare cuated withsagar by an Eng fish grocer, the chenper material increasing the weight from 5 to 10 per cent. In Gerionay the berry in so closely imitatol by prepared maize that detention of the fraud is difpult, even on close inspection.
The power of belfry halls ja -lt ouly through the use of great masses of instal, and it is eximated that the soraal "le" of 870 simple brations, which is found in the centre of the board of this piano, can be given ouly by a balls feet in diameter and weighing about 1000 pounds, while the deep "do" of 34 vibra-
London. 5th December. Later datas aplify and in sono respects lify the protinus accounts of the Battle of Modder Bitor fought Inst Tuesday by the 10,000 British; ander Lieutenant-General Lord Methuen, and the Beers and General Cronje, Figliting commadeed at daybreak and con tinned without intercaption till dusk, on In the 32-foot organ pipe would require
It is estimated that the enemy numbered 11,000, under General Cranja. Hia troops were entrenched in a semi-sirenler front extending over eight miles.
Lieutenant-Gustal Lord Mathuen, who is at Molder Eiver, where bo is repairing the milway bridge prior to moving towards Kin- berley, Ens a force of 10,000 men.
Fontenont-eneral Sir W. F. Gataere, who is in comunud of the Third Division of the Army Corps, in the eastern province of Cape Colony, a fee of 6,000 men.
Major-General J. D., French, who recently
A ovre artillery dual occupied five hours. effected a successful reconnoissance between It then lalled, and the Scots Guards, believing Nasuv and De Aar, when a portion of the New that Modder River town had been evacuated, South Wales Laneers were engaged, is in charge Ladianced. of 3,000 men, majd
The maintenance of railway and telegrapki: communication between De Aar and Grasspau; on the route to Kimberley, necessitates the employment of 3,000 troops..
DISLOCATION OF THE BRITISH PLANS,
London, 1st December. The reinforcements which are being made to the British forge to Shath Africa, are the result of tin disloeslîmi of the plans, caused by tho isolated movements of the troops.
The original plan of a gorral ponearted ad vance bus fallen through and has been abau dored.
REINFORCEMENTS.
The evacuation of the towas, however, was found not to have taken place, for us, 800s as the Guards left cover their advance the memy met them with fire so terrible that they had to lie town..
London, Bth December. Tho big puss and the necessary supplies for the British division under. Liant General Lotto Bletben bare-arrived in Cape Colmuy
London, 7th December.
The Scots Guarda Maxim was disabfort and many men were killet.
a bell 105 feat in diameter and waghing 17,500 pounds. The Herrington cylindri and bells with which experiments have boun Dade England during several years, are laimed to give vary satisfactory results with much a metal. Any note required ja giren by a thle of constant, diameter and thickness, the varinis tones and son-tones differing only in length, and the possibility of obtaining note with mathematical precision is an advantage of gratisportance in the tuning of chimes. The range loss than that of ordinary bells, incre ing with the five diameters thus far produced. from mile to 3 miles. Those tubes have s main length of 10 feet, and the saving in
In the afternoon the British mado another metal is illustrated by the statement that a forward morement.
| tubuli bell of 29--inghes lliamster, with a munge
Is extended order the Scots Guards, supported of a mile, weighs only 1,540 pounds, while the right by this Grenadier Gaveda and the one of the ordinary, balls of the man range Coldstream Guards, aut on the left by the weighs 66.00, the difference in cost being tant Argyll and Sutherland Highlandere and the between $1,200 and 320,000. Ninth Brigade, attempted to erves the plain towards the bridge,
A battery of Horse Artillery and the 12th by the Boot sharpshooters plated on the ruins and other flowers, is the best example.
Lanoyes have inforced Lord Mothnen.
Loudon, 8th December
a vastly emporior faret
Ary few exceptions to the rule that sui- Immediately the enemy poured an avfat bail mats live with their backs toward the sky and away from the earth are found by M. Henri Lallets on the advancing British troops. For two hours the attacking forces wore Cega. The larva of the beautiful Boral bootle cererless, and mang were literally murn down whe winged existence mosily spent near
northorn bank and by machine guns.
Thu grab is a fat worm that does muck When i was neatly duck the Argyll and tamage to plaat-roots iù gardens. It has three Sutherland Highlanders, still goder a merciless pain of legs seemingly designed for 166, yet Mr. Joseph Towell. Williams, Financial Sofico, succeeded, although losing heavily, in ford fitcmps about grotesquely on its back, pushing cretary to the War Office, Los officially stated in the Modder River, and, despite the efforts itful forward six inches to a foot a minute by that the total number of British troops orierad of the enemy; they retained the position againsttrotile oromonts of its segments aided by fer service in Bouth Africa is 108,779,
This aber includes the forces actively angegeil; those en conta to Cape Colony, and those orderant for servien,
London, 8th December. - A heavy siero train, with so enormous quzu tity of ammunition for use in the British Ritack. on Pretoria, has been despatched by the Tantal Lon Cuetis.
Loudon, 8th December Two balions of artillery, and other rein forcements are reached Major-General Sir W. F. Galacre, commanding the Third Division of the British Army Corp Y
mh of hairs. The squatio world has its Whon aight fell Lord Methuen by gained war-boatmeu,,er Notonectae that always an indecisive victory,
in hack downward. Among mammals are Lord Methuen's tall' nousidered that troops the oths and other Edoutates that spend most of the British Army never faced a severer and of teir lives upside down, suspended from trees
a more sustained fire than they did in this battle. Us heir claws,
Colonel Codrington (Coldstream Guards) and
Captain V. C. M. Sollheim, of the QueenshudThe banks of the Sua Conal are being pro- Defence, who was detailed for special sorriced from shifting by trees and shrubs. Reads, in South Afrin, together with a dozen meat lirat shielded from the caves from passing of the Coldstreams, swam the Modder River in the face of a heavy fire from the enemy for the purpose of wooundtring =
The men had most reached the opposite The advance of the division is hampered by bank when they wore forced to retire. Juining the spread of the rebellion in the northern por-hands the two officers swam brok, Colonel tion of Cape Colonyaan mijn, data
TIE DOLONIAL THOOPS.
Loudon, 4th Decemberi
by fascines, have beau placed along bine
of the catul proper and the whole lougth: the Sweetwater Cauai Plantations of blery, irrigated from the Nile, are being established on the slopes.
Codrington became such exhausted and was The French idea that hon praluced alcohol nerely drowned,
enld be substituted for Russian and American
The British gnus did tremendose have light oils for deiving noter og bus unt been Sir Alfred Milner, the High Commissioner augst the Bours, compelling them to abandonoaraged by experiment. Aualysis proves for Cape Colony, visited the Australian, troops their extensive entrenchments. During the the alcoupl has enly about osi-half the at Maitland Harrauke, near Capetown, on No night the town wvocated by the enemy, gobon of a mineral oil, with 45 times the oxy- vember Great outlensiasm prevailed on the who took their guns with their as they retired, and its catoriae valueris little more than occasion. The mua have back supplied with All the British troops prassel the river in Loe Entfeld rites. Their equipment was largely the morning. jxcess of the requirements of the Army-The sorch lights enabled the British to Regulations, and wach of it bus been storeil, recover the wounded.
London, 5th, December The Boors fought with stondines The Australian Continguts have Amalgamn-
The onomy shelled the British ambulance ted their furcts, and are commanded by Colonel professing to be unscquainted with the sign J.U. Hond, of the Victories Contingent.
cance of Red Cross,
r The New Zoalaud Contingent, under Mejor A. W Robin, is at Nuuwpoort,
London, 7th December
half. ·Tested in. Bruichot horizontal eigine of two to three horse power and in a a vortical motor of three to four horse pwor, the now fael showed nearly, rice is. Sat consumption as that of light oil. Eh price of the alcohol being double that of even a light oils, it is calculated that in Francs thic
Too Boar were hardly visible throughout wer yielded by $1.00 of petroleum wonki st the equivalent of $1.75 from gut oil, and at the battle, and their rifis pils were protected kast $5,50 from alcohol,
by bullet-proof breast work. The ademy bo
The Canadian and Australian troops who bost occupied seven weeks in fortifying thele The Jigger Fles is a South Afrisch pest recently arrived in South Africa will form position separate brigade under Lieutnant-General Eord When the British infantry was within 8 those runt spread from the vicinity of Methuen They were entrained Capoten yards of the Boers the gumy maintained Delagon Bay to points further contà Las been yesterday, and left amid treatis demonstrations withering Gre, lasting three bours. The brought to Government noties. It differs of enthusiasm. Bir Alfred Milner, the Go British only advanced in short rustics, teniu Ereatly from the ordinary flex, lacks the latter's lity, and attacke only the soles of the fest, Into vernor of Cape Colony, was promut at the heavily whenever they rom from the grou high it bares holes and lay eggs therein. departure of the troops.
SEDITION IN NATALENThey gave a wonderful exhibition of unflinct The results are liable to be very painful.”
ing courage, ARL Matthew London, 6th December. Late in the afternoon the 2nd Battery arrived anitary precautions hare bien recommanded. MF CJ Labuschagae, & member of the on the scene, after 'S7-mile march, and, one od medical men at the various ports of the Legislative Council of Natal for the county of ing fire on the anomy, tboy silenced several de Capo hare hoezi requested to give the little inva Weepen, has been arrested on charge of high their guns. The sills produced a terrifying for their attention. tracson, Thepoolne not alleged against bim effect upon the Boers.
te that he joined the Boars when they were at The enemy rotrested upon Langeberg and Estcourt
Jacobsdal, in the Crenge Free State
One of the water-mains of Torquay- ten izab orst-iron pipe laid in 1858 was so In- easted in eight years that the delivering