The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-20
Hint to Portugal that ~ Delagos Bay
BE Not Closed to Beers England
May Say Something.
PRESS CENSOR STILL BUSY
NO LATE NEWS RECEIVED FROM
THE BATTLING ARMIES
Ten Thousand Imperial Yeomanry
to he Enlisted I'm Britain-The
Tugela River Fight.

LONDON, Dec. 20, 4:45 a. m.-The Stand
ard hints editoriaily this morning that IL
Portugal continues to allow supplies of
war material and foreign volunteers. TO
reach the Transvaal through Delagoa bay
England will have something TO say in the
matter.
Statements are published from Boer
sources in Brussels and Berlin that Presi-
dent Kruger is willing to conclude peace
on the basis of the status quo. but that
Otherwise he will call on the Beers in Cape
Colony to join in proclaiming the inde-
pendence of the Cape territories of Great
Britain.
The government has at last consented
to mobilize a force which General Butler
| is credited with having demanded all along
| as essential to success i'm South Africa
namely, ten thousand mounted infantry.
| This morning the War Office issued an or
der to the effect that the government had
decided to raise for South Africa a mount
ed infantry force to be called Imperial
| Yeomanry." and to be recruited from
Il "
| sessing the qualifications Enlistment will
| be for one year, or during the continuance
of the war. The men must be between
twenty and thirty-five years of age and OF
| equal physique TO the. ordinary cavalry
soldier. Officers and men are to provide
their own horses and to wear neutral tint
cloth shooting jackets. not necessarily uni
form, felt hats, breeches and CATERS. All
must be good riders and marksmen. The
| same order invites every volunteer regf-
ment that Is linked with regular oattal-
ion serving at the front to supply a full
company. which will take the place Of the
| mounted infantry Of the regiment. These
| arrangements are expected to result in
considerable force. The enrolled strength
of the yeomanry forces, which originated
in the troublous period of the French revo-
luton. is now 1o.4ss. Their services have
| never before been called for in war.
ENLISTMENT OF VOLUNTEERS.
The Lord Mayor of London, Alfred New
| ton, is raising and equipping a force of a
| thousand volunteers among the city corps.
| The large city firms are contributing the
necessary expenses.
Colonel Sir Charles Howard Vincent,
| commandant of the Queens Westminster
Volunteers, has also offered to raise regi-
ment of thousand picked marksmen.
The enthusiasm of volunteer enlistmerts
continues and promises to give the govern
| ment ample m aterial. Rudyard Kipling
addressed a meeting at Rottingdean last
evening called for the purpose of forming
a volunteer company.
Ninety per cent. of the members of the
Honorable Artillery Company. OF London.
have volunteered for service In South
Africa. Two-thirds of the Inns OF Court
Volunteers composed Of barristers and So
| licftors, have likewise rendered their serv-
ices.
The War ONCE declines either TO confirm
or contradict the report telegraphed by
correspondent Of the Daily Mail that Gen.
eral Butler has crossed the Tugela river
and that General Methuen's communica-
tions have been cut. Only the most optimss-
tic gave any credit to the rumor. There Is
also no confirmation Of the statement that
General Methuen's line of communication
has been cut though there is a probability
of such an event occurring at any moment.
According TO latest news from General
Methuen- dated Sunday, Dec. IL, the situa-
ton appeared to be a complete impasse.
4
and extending their fortihcations on both
his fianks. but 1t is believed they would
be unable to attack the British position.
On the other hand. IL was regarded a. TN
possible for the British TO turn the Boer
flank. which was resting on the river TO the
east and rapidly approaching the river 70
the west. The Boer lines OF intrenchments
are continuous and capable OF rapid con-
nection at many points.
Some Of the papers express considerable
misgiving at troops going from India 10
South Africa. They think the risks too
great and that IL may lead TO two contin-
ents being ablaze instead OF one.
| GRACIOUS QUEEN VICTORIA
The Queen has announced intention OF
entertaining at Windsor Castle Dec 2s.
the wives and children OF soldiers serving
I'm South Africa who reside in the neigh
borhcod Tea will be served, her Majesty
presiding I'm person. and Christmas tree.
twenty-five feet high. viii hang with gifts.
The Queen has sent letter TO General
Lord Roberts. the newly appointed COM
mander in chief OF the British forces I'm
South Africa. warmly sympathizing with
him on the death OF his gallant son. and
thanking him for the great patriotism he
has displayed in putting aside his terrible
private grief I'm order 20 devote himself
10 the AFFAIRS of the nation.
The postofice has issued a notice TO the
effect that owing to the Majestic. Britain
mic and Cymric being taken as transports
no White Star line steamers will 20 10
New York Dec q or Jan. 3 Letters for
the United States and Canada viii be dis-