Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-18
MILITIA ASSIGNED TO GARRISON DUTY
Roberts supersedes Butler and Will Have
Kitchener for Chief Of staff,
ENGLISH FEAR EUROPEAN INTERVENTION
Afraid that Russia, Germany and France
May Intercept Transports,
EMERGENCY IS CONSIDERED VERY GRAVE
Rcconstruction of the Cabinet IN En-
gerIy Discussed and VIII Probably
Come Unless British Arms
Win Nictorx soon.

Win NictorS soon.
Copyright, 1899, by Press Publishing Coz
LONDON Dec. 1880 a. m.-tNew YORK
World Cablegram-Special Telegram y
Shortly before midnight the following no
tice was posted at the War office:
"As the campaign in its initial stages, in
the opinion of her majestys government, ie
likely to require the presence and attention
of General Sir Redvers Butler elsewhere, II
has been decided to send Lord Roberts as
commander in-chief in South Africa with
Lord Kitchener as chief of staff
The War office has issued the following
announcement:
Acting upon the advice Of the military
authorities, her majesty's government has
approved the following measure:
"All the remaining portions of the army
reserve, including eection d. are called out.
The seventh division, which is being mobi-
lized, will proceed to South Africa without
delay.
Nine battalions of militia in addition to
two battalons which have already volun-
teered for service at Malta al Y ene for serv-
Zee in the Channel islands, will be allowed to
volunteer for service outside OF the United
Kingdom and an equivalent number of mil
tia battalons will be embodied for service
at home.
"a strong force of volunteers, selected
from the Yeomanry regiment, will be formed
for service in South Africa.
arrangements are being made and will
shortly be announced for the employment
in South Africa of a strong contingent of
carefully selected volunteers. The patriotic
offers which are being received from the
colonies will so far as possible, be ac-
of mounted contingents.
lieutenant the Hon. f. II. S. Roberts,
son OF Lord Roberts, who was wounded in
the battle at Tugela river, is dead.
General Butler has appointed a commits
sion, the Natal Government Gazette an
nounces, to inquire into the losses of the
people OF the colony resulting from the
Boer invasion.
London Shrouded in Gloom.
CCopyright, 1899, by Press Publishing Coz
LONDON, Dec. 17.-(New York World
Cablegram-Special Telegram.)-There is no
alienation of the gloom and panic caused by
Buffers reverse.
Oficlal notification was made tonight, as
was exclusively predicted, that Roberts
Bupersedes Butler, and certain battalions OF
militia and carefully selected regiments of
volunteers are to be detailed for active serv-
Ice.
The British forces in India cannot be fur
ther depleted by drafts for South Africa,
while the threatened trouble from Menelik
continues and the possibility of complica-
tions in the Mediterranean renders a reduc-
tion of the garrison in Egypt too risky,
though Kitchener is going as Roberts chief
of-staff.
All reserves are now to be called up, the
militia told off to garrison duty and some
yeomanry mobilized for the service.
Fear is also expressed that the German
navy may be used in conjunction with those
of Russia and France to exert pressure to
prevent endorsements reaching South
Africa, Probably, in view of such con-
tingencles, immediate orders will be issued
for the mobilization of fleet in reserve.
The emergency is regarded by the ministry
as of the gravest possible character The
queen is remaining at Windsor, instead of
following her invariable custom of going to
the Isle of Wight for Christmas.
The British public is awaiting with the
keenest apprehension the first indication of
active hostility by their continental enemies.
Rumors of Cabinet Changes.
Reconstruction Of the cabinet is eagerly
discussed in political circles, it being deemed
imperative that its old or useless memb ars,
Goschen, Chaplin and Cross, be sacrificed.
Salisbury himself, oppressed by public and
private cares and shaken in health, is de-
c'ared to be anxious TO retire, but it is repre-
sented to him that his disappearance would
inevitably cause total collapse of the ad-
ministration,
campaign is being made against Chan
ceNor of the EXchequer Beach on the ground
of his alleged refusal to provide adequate
funds for transport at an earlier stage of
the war It is also suggested that Chamber
lain's retirement may be forced by party
pressure. Confidence in him is being COM
pletely shaken Should the war continue
much longer without decisive British sue
cess the formation OF a national coalition
ministry is a certain outcome, with Rosebery
as foreign minister and probably Asauith
colonial secretary, Salisbury retaining the
premiership, but giving a proportlon of his
portfolio to liberal imperalists.
These aud other rumors are flying Wildly
around the political clubs, showing how en-
tirely the feeling that the empire is in dan
ger is obllterating the most deeply marked
party divisions.
Tragic Circumstance.
LONDON. Dec 1.-THE tragic crcum-