The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1899-12-21
new COMMANDER.
ROBERTS WILL SUCCEED BULLER AS
CHIEF IN SOUTH AFRICA.
KlTCHNER TO GO WITH HIM.
General Sir Roberts Supersedes General
Sir Redvers Butler, who Met with Such
Disastrous Defeat at Tugela River-En-
tire British Army Reserve Ordered TO
South Africa.

London, (By Cable )- The British govern
ment decided upon u radical change in the
command OF the British forces in South
Africa. At u late hour the following notice
was posted at the War ONCE:
'As the campaign in Natal in the opinion
OF Her Majestys government is likely to
require the presence and undivided atten-
tion OF General Sir Redvers Butler, 1t has
been decided to send Baron Roberts Of Kan
dahar and Waterford as commander-in-chiet
In South Africa, with Lord Kitchener as
chief OF staff"
General Sir Frederick Roberts Is the fam
GUS Indian fighter, and one Of England's
Oldest and greatest generals. His advanced
age Is against him for such vigorous work
as the campaign in South Africa demands,
but 1t Is understood that the active work OF
the campaign will devove upon General
Kitchner, the Slrdar of Egypt, who has
achieved such great success in the campaigns
against the dervishes.
1t IL plainly apparent from the change
made In the commander-in-chlefs that the
government has lost confidence in General
Buffers ability to command the entire forces
ia Cape Colony aud Natal As the War Once
announcement says, he has all he can do in
Natal.
General Kitchener Is un aggressive and
resourceful fighter, and 1t is highly probable
that he will plan and personally direct the
campaign in Cape Colony
Baron Roberts will go to South Africa,
weighted with sorrows, as he received u
cable despatch announcing the death OF his
son, Lieutenant the Hon. +. II. s. Roberts,
who was wounded In the engagement AT
Tuegela River.
The tragic circumstances of tho appoint
ment OF Lord Roberts almost simultaneously
with the announcement OF the death OF his
promising son, excite the deepest public
sympathy.
Lieut.. Roberts was an only son, and had
been his fathers aide de camp since 1895
He served In Waziristan and in the Chitral
and Nile expeditions. Such was his display
OF fgallantry in an attempt to rescue the guns
that he was recommended for the Victoria
Cross.
The War Office has also issued the follow.
ing announcements
Acting upon the advice OF the military
authorities, her Malesty's government has
approved the following measure;
'All tho remaining portions Of the army
reserve, including section d, are called out.
The Seventh Division Is being moblliZed, and
Will proceed to South Africa without delay.
Nine battalions Of militia, in addition to
two battalions which have already volun-
teered for service Mt Malta, and one for ser.
vice in the Channel Islands, will be allowed
to volunteer for service outside OF tho
United Kingdom; and an equivalent number
OF militia battalions will be embodied for
service ut home.
"A strong force Of volunteers, selected
from the yoemanry regiments, will DO
formed for service in South Africa.
Arrangements are being made, and will
shortly be announced, for the employment
in South Africa OF strong contingent, Of
carefully selected volunteers. The patriotic
offers which are being received from the col
onies will, so far rs possible, be accepted,
preference being given to offers of mounted
contingents."
The commander-in-chief in South Africa
has been authorized to continue to raise at
his discretion. local troops.
Rumor has it that the question OF expense
has really been at the lotion OF the half
hearted measures hitherto adopted, and it
is not unlikely that Sir Michael Hicks-Beach
Chancellor of the EXchequer and other
members OF the Cabinet will resign
1t was high time that something very en-
ergetic was done. The British losses, in
killed, wounded, prisoners and missing
throughout the campaign, now reach the
'normouS total OF 1880.