The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-19
.BULLER SET ASIDE
FOR LORD ROBERTS
Who SupersedeS Him as Com
mander-in-
A BRILLIANT SOLDIER
GEN. KITCHENER WILL BE HIS
CHIEF or STAFF.
BuLLeR MAY STILL COMMAND IN NATAL
As Result of the British Reverses the Whole Of
Cape Colony is Said to be in Revolt
Pro-Boer Meeting in
Dublin.

Dublin.
London, Dec. fS-Field Marshal
Lord Frederick Sleigh Roberts has been
appointed commander-in-c of the
British forces in South Africa General
Lord Horatio Herbert Kitchener will
be his chief of staff
Roberts thus in effect supersedes Gen
eral Sir Redvers Butler, who had pre-
viousiy been appointed commander-in-
chief. 1t is said that Butler will continue
to direct operations in Natal.
Roberts is said to be the most popular
| and brilliant soldier in England. He is
at present commander-in-chief of the
forces in Ireland. His son. Hon. r. IL.
5. Roberts, was a lieutenant in Buffers
| army, and was mortally wounded in last
Fridays battle at Colenso.
Steps have been taken to send stin
more reinforcements to South Africa.
When the additional troops arrive, Lord
Roberts viii have an army of 10000
men.
The. British losses in the battle of
Colenso were 1.097. divided as follows:
Killed, 60; wounded, 667; missing, 34S.
This Is the heaviest loss sustained in
any single battle of the war. The Boef
loss has not been made public.
A revised list of the British losses
at the battle Of Magersfontein,l lin which
General Lord Paul Methuen was repuls-
ed ON Monday Of last week, puts the
total at 963. The total previously re-
ported was S32.
The latest figures, based on revised
lists from London, bring the known Brit
ish losses in the war up to 1880 in
cluding killed, wounded and missing
Ii General Methuen can hold his posi-
ton at the Modder river few days lon
ger he will probably be reinforced by
at least 5000 men
General Gatacre has again establish
cd his headquarters at Sterkstroom, -
miles in a straight line and 40 miles
By rail south of StormDerg, the scene
Of his recent defeat.
A dispatch from Sterkstroom states
that as result Of the British reyerses
the whole Of Northern Cape Colony is
in revolt.
An attempt to hold pro-Boer mass
meeting III Dublin yesterday was
checked by the police, but it led to ex-
citing scenes. Crowds paraded the
streets singing God Save Ireland" and
cheering for the Beers A meeting Of
Irish leaders was held in the rooms Of
the Irish Transvaal committee, and
speeches We're made denouncing Eng
land
TROOPS FROM INDIA.
london, Dec. 19-tTuesday 4:30 a. m)
The War Office has been in commune
cation with Sir William Lockhart. COM
nander-in-chief in India with a view
of ascertaining what troops can be spar
cd from his forces, and it is understood
that as a result of those inquiries a force
Will almost immediately leave Bombay
for Durham, including four regiments Of
seasoned troops, with an ammunition coll
umn, and brigade Of artillery including
horse and field batteries. 1t is hoped
that this force will reinforce General
Butler within month.
The Duke of Confaught visited the
War Office yesterday. Since the APP
pointment Of Lord Roberts as Comman-
der-in-Chief in South Africa the question
Of rank no longer bars the Duke from
going to the front, and as lie has a
strong desire to go. it is believed that
only the Queens reluctance stands in the
way. 1t is not unlikely that this will be
overcome
Lord Chesham, commanding officer OF
the Royal Buchinghamshirc Yeomanry,
has been authorized TO organize n f9fcs
of 5000 yeomanry, who will proceed to
the Cape. The yeonanry forces sent ont
wall be drafted SO as to work together
with the mounted infantry and mounted
militia from Canada and Australia.
1T lis understood that the volunteers
selected will not form a separate corps,
but will join their linked battalions OF
the regular forces in South Africa.
Throughout the country volunteers are
responding with utmost alacrity to the
official notice. Lord l4onsdale says ..e
believes the Government viii only accept
from twenty to fifty men from each yeo-
manry regiment. III lis asserted THAT
many officers Of the volunteer regiments
are offering to 90 as troopers IL not ac-
cepted as officers.
The Times says editoiially:
lord Roberts will have absolutely a
free hand and may be expected 70 re
snme the original plan of campaign
abandoned by General Butler under the
necessity Of relieving Iladysmith"
According to a dispatch from Cape
Town General Sir Charles Warren and
his staff have started for DE Aar. This
seems TO indicate that the Fifth division
will be sent to reinforce Lord Methuen'
a decision which will meet with general
approval MS the opinion Is almost every
where held that it would be useless to-