Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-20
(By telegraph to virginian-pllo

(By telegraph to Virginian-P llot.)
London. Dec. 20.-4:45 a. m.-The gov
eminent has at last consented to mobil-
ize Il force which General Butler is
credited with having demanded oil
along as an essential OF success in
South Africa. namely. ten thousand
mounted infantry. This morning the
War Office Issued an order TO the effect
that the government had decided to
raise for South Africa mounted in
fantry force, to be called Imperial
Ycomanry." and to be recruited from
yenmanry, volunteers and civilians
possessing the requisite qualifications
Enlistment will be for one year, or dur
Ing tho continuance of the war. The
men must be between 20 and 50 years
of age, and Of equal physique 10 the or
binary cavalry soldier.
EQUIPMENT.
Officers and men are TO provide their
own horses and to wear neutral tint
cloth shooting jackets, not necessarily
uniforms: felt hats. brooches and
CATERS. All must be good riders and
marksmen.
The same order invites every volun-
teer regiment that IL linked with Il reg
ular battalion serving at the front to
supply full company, which will take
the place OF the mounted infantry of
the regiment.
These arrangements are expected TO
result In a considerable force. The en-
rolled strength OF the Yeomanry forces
which originated in the troublous ne
Rod of the French revolution Is now
1888. Their services have never been
before called for in war.
The enthusiasm OF volunteer enlist
ments continues, and promises to give
the government ample material.
RUDYARD TlIPLrNG SPEAKS.
Rudyard Kipling addressed meet
Ing at Rottingcan last evening, called
for the purpose of forming Il volunteer
company.
The British second class cruiser Iris
will convey Lord Kitchener from Egypt
to the Cape. She has been ordered TO
steam at 16 knots.
Special reports regarding the nghtin :
Mt the Tugela river are still fltering
through. but all the newspapers com,
plain that these are severely censored,
and ii is still impossible to get an ac-
curate idea of the battle
BuLLER IN COMMAND
FIom the latest accounts however, il
appears that General Butler vas in
personal command.
a correspondent OF the Associated
Press at Chicveley Camp says the Beers
excuse themselves for firing ON the
stretcher-b 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 several
wounded
Much anNienty is caused by the fact
that the War Office has not yet recelv-
ed full list of the casualties al Tuce-
III river.
PORTUGAL HELPS BOERS.
The Standard hints editorally this
morning that if Portugal continues o
allow supplies of war material and for
e ei volunteers to reach the Transvaal
through Delagoa bay, England will
have something to say in the matter.
Statements are published from Boor
sources In Brussels and Berlin tha
President Kruger is willing to conclude
peace on the basis of the status quo,
but that Otherwise he will call upon
the Beers in Cape Colony to Join i'm
proclaiming the independence of the
Cape territories of Great Britain.
ANOTHER ARTILLERY DUEL.
Chievely Camp, Natal, Dec. 15-The
relief column continued it's advance
early to-day. Intending to assail The
Bocr positions. which were known to
be strong to the westward, and north
west of ,Colenso. During the two pre-
ceding days The Beers had allowed
themselves 10 be bombarded without
condeseending to reply with single
shot. They further gave half an hours
opening this morning without an eX-
change, when suddenly they belched
out n stream of fire from all their en-
trcnchments. beside opening n fearful
cannonade with all their quick frers.
field and siege guns, which were posted
from end TO end of their positions.
When their presence and actual no.
sitions had been determined the Brit
ish naval brigade commenced shellinn
all the ridges north Of the town with
marvellous accuracy. At this time the
artillery attached to General Harris
division was busy among the entrench-
ments on the hill. on the British left.
under cover of which the Irish infantry
brigade marched out in extended order
to cross the river. and attack. Undoubt-
eddy aiming at this battery the Beers
sent several shells near the ambulance
train. which was forced to change its
position.
BRITISH AGAIN REPU1sED.
While this was Transporting the field
artillery, on the right, We're busy she'll
ing the ridges of tho Poar lafi flank