Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1899-12-22

They have replaced the garrisons of the
Channel islands and Malta with three bat
talions of militia, and will accept service
from nine more volunteering for South
Africa. They will further recruit from
the volunteer force, which corresponds to
the national guard in America, a large,
picked body of men for service at the
front. This means that the eighth divis-
ion, when it goes out, will be strengthened
by trained auxiaries, until it will be like
au army corps by itself. The ministers
will despatch every available battery and
full howitzer corps, and also q large
mounted force. Offers from Canada and
other colonies for contingents will be ac-
cepted, especially mounted troops, and full
arrangements will be made for recruiting
auxiliary forces in Natal and Cape Colony.
There ought to be strength enough in the
bow when 100, 900 additional men are pro-
vided and Lord Roberts is pat in the sad
die.
Field Marshal Frederick Sleigh Roberts,
V. c., baron of Kandahar and Waterford,
is 81 years old, and has distinguished
record for gallantry. He is a veteran and
hero of nearly all the British wars since
1850, winning his greatest distinction in
the campaigns in India and 10 conquering
Lord Kitchener of Khartoum and Asrall
is England's latest and perhaps most popu-
lar soldier. His successful conquest of the
Egyptian Soudan won for him fame in
England to be compared with that of Ad-
miral Dewey in this country. In return
for the services General Kitchener rendered
his country in Egypt he was raised to the
peerage and was voted gift of $4,000
by the House of Commons. His visit to
England was the occasion of a series of
brilliant celebrations in his honor. He is
48 years old. Gen. Kitchener is now in
the Soudan.
Re-enforcements cannot reach South AT
RIGA for several weeks. The original cam
paign may be abandoned and a general
policy of marking time be adopted by the
commanders Of the forces now in the field.
Gen. Butler will remain in charge of the
Natal campaign. Gen. H. H. Kitchener
will probably command the main army of
invasion, of which Gen. w. F. Gatacre's
force is at present the representative. 1t
is not known whether Gen. Methuen will
attempt to advance on Kimberley or with
draw to Orange River pending the inaugu-
ration of a new campaign. The latter
move seems most probable, as the spreading
of rebellion in Cape Colony makes his
union with Gen. French only prudent
There is no doubt that Gen. Gatacre's peril
will be the greatest during the month of
inaction which must ensue. A large part
of Gen. Warren's division will probably
soon re-enforce him. The news of Great
Britain's tremendous preparations may
spur the Beers into serious aggression be-
fore the fresh British troops arrive, but thus
far they have shown no desire to attack in
trenched forces, while the British disasters
have been caused by just that thing. All
the indications now point to the beginning
of a great campaign late in January.
Meantime, Ladysmith, Kimberley and
Mafeking must wait. Their situation is
perilous, but according to all accounts
there is no serious danger that famine will
be added to their other sufferings.