The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-20
PORTUGAL THREATENED
AID FOR BoERS THROUGH DEE
AGOA BAY.
A BELATED DESPATCH FROM coLENSo
After Allowing the British to Shell Them For
& Hours Without Reply, the Beers Open
on the British Artillery Al
most DemoIishing L.
most DemoIishing It.

London, Dec. Wednesday 4:45 a.
m)-The government has at last CONSENT
ed to mobilize force which General
Butler is credited with having demanded
all along as an essential Of success in
South Africa, namely ten thousand
monted infantry. This morning the
War Office issued 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, vol
unteers and civilians possessing the re-
quisite qualifications.
The same order invites every volunteer
regiment that is linked with a regular
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 considerable force The en-
rolled strength Of the yeomanry forces.
which originated in the troublous period
Of the French Revolution, Is now To-
433. Their services have never been be-
fore called for in war
Rudyard Kipling addressed a meeting
at Rottingean last evening called for the
purpose of forming a volunteer company.
The British second class cruiser Iris
viii convey Lord Kitchener FROM Egypt
to the Cape. She has been ordered to
steam at 16-knots.
The Standard hints editorialiy this
morning that if Portugal continues to
allow supplies Of war material and for
eign volunteers to reach rhc Tratisvaal
through Delagoa Bay, England will have
something to say in- the matter
Statements are published from Boer
sources in Bussels and Berlin that Pres
ident Kruger is willing to c)ncEae peace
cn the basis Of status quo, but hat
otherwise he will call upon the Beers in
Cape Colony to join in proeaming the
independence of the Cape territories Of
Great Britain.
RELIEF COLUMNS ADVANCE.
Chieveley Camp, Natal, Friday, Dec.
15.-The relief column continued its adj
varce from Chieveley early today irtend-
ing to assail the Boer positions which
were known to be very strong to the
westward and northwest of ColensO. Dur
ING the two preceding days the Beers had
allowed themselves to be bombaTded
without condescending to reply with
single shot They further gave half nm
hours opening this morning without an
exchange, when suddenly they belched
out a stream Of fire from all their en-
trenchments. beside opening fearful
canmonade with all their quick hrers.
field and siege guns. which We're posted
from end to end Of their positions. When
their presence and actual positions had
been determined the British naval brig
ade commenced shelllrg all the ridges
north of the town with marvellous acca-
racy. AT this time the artillery attached
TO General Hart's division was busy
among the entertainments 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 Undoubtedly aiming at this bat
terry. the Beers sent several shells near
the ambulance train, which was forced
to change its position.
While this was transpiring the field ar
tillery. on the right were busy shelling
the ridges of the BoeIs left flank, their
excellent practice attracting the atten-
tion of the Beers. who retaliated with
scathing fire, almost demolishing all the
gums and stampeding the gun carriage
and timber horses.