The record-union., 1899-12-20
That Ten Thousand Mounted Infantry be
Sent to South Africa.
But Little Credit Given at London
to the Rumors That General
Butler Has Succeeded in Cross
ing Tuge1a River-Neither is
There Any Confirmation of the
Report That Methuen's Line OF
Communication Has Been Gut.


LONDON, Dec 20, 4:45 a. m.-The
Government has at last consented to
mobilize a force which General Butler
is credited with having demanded all
along as essential to success in South
Africa, namely, 10000 mounted infan-
try. This morning the War Office is
sued an order to the effect that the
Government had decided to raise for
South Africa mounted infantry force
to be called Imperial Yeomanry,' and
to be recruited from yeomanry, .yolun-
teers and civilians possessing the
requisite qualifications. Enlistment
will be for one year. or during the con
tinuance of the war. The men must. be
between 20 and 80 years of age, and
of equal physique to the ordinary cav
airy soldier officers and men are to
provide their own horses, and to wear
neutral tint cloth shooting jackets, not
necessarily uniform, felt hats. breeches
and CATERS All must be good riders
and marksmen.
These arrangements are expected 70
result in a considerable force. The en-
rolled strength of the yeomanry forces,
which originated in the troublesome
period of the revolution, is now Al, 4,'';3
Their services have never before been
called for in war.
The Lord Mayor of London, Alfred
Newton, is raising and equipping
force of a thousand volunteers among
the city crps. The large city firms are
contributing the necessary expenses.
Colonel Sir Charles Howard Vincent,
commandant of the Queens Westmin-
ster Volunteers, has also offered to
raise a regiment of a thousand picked
marksmen.
The enthusiasm of volunteer enlist
ments continue, and promises to give
the Government ample material
Rudyard Kipling addressed a meet
ing at rockingham last evening. called
for the purpose of forming voldn-'
teer company.
The Queen has announced her in
tention of entertaining at Windsor
Castle on December 2Sth the wives and
children of soldiers serving in South
Africa who reside in the neighbor-
hood Tea will be served, her majes-
ty probably presiding in person, and
a Christmas tree twenty-five feet high
will hang with gifts.
Special reports regarding the fighting
at Tugela River are still fltering
through, but all the newspapers COM
plain that these are severely censored
and it is still impossible to get any
accurate idea of the battle. From the
latest accounts, however, it appears
that General Butler was in personal
command.
A correspondent of the Associated
Press at Chieveley Camp says the
Beers excuse themselves for firing on
the stretcher bearers by asserting that
two squads of the Connaught Rangers
took cover under civilian bearers of the
Red Cross and that this act drew the
Boer fire, three being killed and sew
eral wounded.
Much anxiety is caused by the fact
that the War Office has not yet re-
ceived a full list of the casualties at
Tugela River
The STANDARD" hints editorially this
morning that if Portugal continues to
allow supplies of war material and
foreign volunteers to reach the Trans
vaal through Delagoa Bay, England
will have something to say in the mat
ter.
sources in Brussels and Berlin that
President Kruger is willing to con-
clude pace on the basis of the status
quo, but that otherwise he will call
upon the Beers in Cape Colony to join
in proclaiming the independence of
the Cape territories of Great Britain.
Only the most optimistic gave any
credit to the rumors that General Butler
had crossed the Tugela River and even
they speedily realized that it was in
credible that the War Office would re-
frain from the immediate publication
of news of such Importance.
There is also no confirmation of the
statement that General Methuens line
of communication has been cut, though
there is a probability of such an event
occurring at any moment. According to
the latest news from General Methuen,
dated Sunday, December 18th, the situa-
ton appeared to be a complete COM
passe. The Beers were gathering re-
Inducements and extending their en-
trenchments on both his TANKS, but it
was believed they were unable to at
tack the British position. On the other
hand it was regarded as impossible for
the British to turn the Boer flank,
which was resting Oli lilt river u the
east. and rapidly approaching the river
to the west. The Boer lines Of en-
trenchments are continuous. and ca
pable of rapid connection at many
points.
From elsewhere at the front there is
absolutely nothing to throw additional
light on the situation.
The newspapers are full of stories
showing the unanimity with which the
volunteers and yeomanry are respond
ing to the call to arms. Lord Gresham,
commanding officer of the Royal Buck
inghamshire Yeomanry, is to command
the force of 5000 yeomanry which he
has been authorized to organize for SER
vice in South Africa. Earl Dudley and
other titled officers will accompany him.
Some of the papers express consider
able misgiving at the troops going
from India to South Africa They think
the risks too great, and that it may
lead to two continents being ablaze in
stead Of one.