Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-11-02
Copyrighted by Associated PresS.)

copyrighted by Associated PresS.)
London, Oct. 29.-The south African
war has been in progress nearly three
weeks and so far British arms have
been consistently crowned with mo-
mentary successes, though at a cost
which verifies President Kruger's pre-
dlctlon that the conflict would stagger
humanity, But though victory has fall
len to Great Britain whenever and
wherever issues were of paramount
Importance, Gen. Whites position to-
day is scarcely more reassuring than
at the outbreak of the war. So far he
has only shown ability to outwit by
strategy boer strategy. Now he ap-
pears to have reached the limit of this
enemy's combined forces or retreat.
Many people think Gen. White should
rest content with the successes so far
achieved and fall back on Colenso,
pointing out that he appears to be full
ly able to move his forces quickly and
without deterioration. 1t is scarcely
probable he will follow this course,
preferring rather to hold Ladysmith,
though against much superior num-
berS, until reinforced. 1t is the feeling
that he intends to follow the latter
course that creates uneasiness, for vic
tories over boer units are not believed
to indicate that the same result can be
achieved over the beers when massed.
Compared with this impending move
ment about Ladysmith, the fate of
Kimberley and Mafeking, and the
progress of other independent opera
lions are almost insignificant
No one seems to have the faintest
idea what conditions will confront the
British army corps upon its arrival in
south Africa. viii it be an avenging
force whose duty it shall be to wipe
out the defeat of General White and
save Mafeking and Kimberley, or will
it simply be Walkover into Pretoria,
dispensing the bOer bands disintegrated
by the strain Of long campaign and
| discouraged by constant reverSeS?
These questions are uppermost in all
minds connected with the war office.
BY November the last troOpship
should have sailed, but the army corps
will scarcely take the field until the
end of December. While the nation is
enthralled by news from battlefelds
and thrilled with sympathy at the
death of it's sons, especially that of the
gallant General SymOns, parliament
has come and gone, being scarcely no.
Ciced in the flood of more exciting de-
velopments. 1t was the shortest ses-
sion but one in the history Of Eng
| land, but teemed with remarkable in
cidents Michael Davitt's dramatic
resignation is regretted on both sides
Of the house. Sir Michael Hicks
Beachs budget to raise supplies was
so non-committal that it is scarcely
open to much criticism. Whether the
ii 500, 900 pounds borrowed to carry on
the war will be entirely repaid by ad-
ditiOnal taxation, or whether the bOer
treasury will be Slapped to repay
part or the whole, is a matter
upon which little light is likely
to be thrown until parliament reas-
sembles in February. But the more
important feature of the recent session
is the queens Propagation speech, for
it contains the assertion that the
Transvaal is already part Of her en-
pire. The phraseOlogy passed almost
unnoticed, but the sentence, Il trust
divine blessing will rest on the efforts
to restore peace and good government
to that portion of my empire" cannot
be taken to mean anything but that
Du;% ao1
as already reverted to her direct SOW
ereignty The virulent and persistent
abuse of Great Britain by the CONT
mental press gives rise to the fear that,
in spite of official denials, Russia and
France intend taking advantage of
south African troubles. The cOncen-
sus of opinion inclines to the belief
that the rumors of European interyen-
ton are merely intended as a scare,
to which Great Britain has often been
subject with less warrant for it than
upon many previous occasions. 1t is
patent that the internal affairs of other
European countries are scarcely in
condition to warrant interference.
Joubert Blames Spectators.
Durham, Natal, Oct 26. Delayed
In reply to an inquiry made by him,
General White has received the follow
ing telegram from Commandant Jou-
bert: Il must express my sympathy.
Gen. Symons, unfortunately, was bad
ly wounded and died. He was buried
yesterday. l trust that the great God
will speedily bring to close this I'M
fortunate state of affairs. brought
about by INSCRIPTIONS spectators and
capitalists, who went to the Transvaal
to obtain wealth and, in order to fur
Their their own interests, misled others
and brought about this shameful war
fare all over south Africa"
UNITARIANS TO MEET.