Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-19
lie Will Have Free Hand In South
Africa.
Volunteers FIocking to the Flag In
Britain-Dublin College Degree for
ChamberIain-DubIi student Dem
onstration-Green Flag Torn.

LONDON, December 1850 4. NJ
The War Office has been communicative
with General Sir William Lockhart. com
mander-in-chief in India. with a view to
ascertain'ng what troops can be spared
from his forces, and IT is understood that
as result of these inquiries a force will
almost Immediately leave Bombay for
Durham, including four regiments of sea-
soned troops, with an ammunition column
and brigade Of artillery, including horse
and field batteries
1t Is hoped that this force will rein
force General Butler within a month.
The Duke Of Connaught visited the War
Office yesterday. Since the appointment
Of Lord Roberts as commander-in-chlef
in South Africa. the question Of rank no
longer bars the Duke from going TO tho
front and as he has a strong desire TO
60 it IS believed that only the Queens
reluctance stands I'm the way. It is not
unlikely that this win be overcome.
FORCE OF YEOMANRY.
Lord Gresham. commanding officer Of
the Royal Buckingham Yeomanry. has
resolved TO organize force Of 1900 yeo-
men, who will proceed TO the Cape. The
yeomanry will be drafted 50 as TO work
together with the mounted infantry and
mounted militia from Canada and Aus
tralia.
II Is understood that the volunteers
selected will not form a separate corps.
but will join their linked battalions with
the regular forces in South Africa.
Throughout the country volunteers are
responding with the utmost alacrity 10
the official notice. Lord Lonsdale says
he believes the government will only ac-
opt from twenty 10 nifty men from each
yeomanry regiment.
OFFICERS VOLUNTEER AS TROOP
Frs.
Il is asserted that many officers Of the
volunteer regiments are Offering to 20
as troopers, II not accepted as officers.
The Times says. editorially: lord Ro-
berts will have absolutely n free hand.
and may be expected 10 resume the origi-
nal plan Of campaign abandoned by Gene
raj Butler under the necessity of relieving
Ladysmlth"
According 10 a dispatch from Cape
Town, General Sir Charles Warren and
seems 20 indicate that the Fifth Division
will be sent TO reinforce Lord Methuen.
a decision which win meet with general
approval as the opinion is almost every
where held that there Is no more time
TO fritter away men.
RATHER ALARMIST.
The Morning Post, i'm rather IN alarm
ist article. remarks upon the difficulty OF
deciding such q crucial matter and says:
Besides three generals I'm the field, an
Of whom need 10 be reinforced. there Is
the rebellion in Cape Colony 10 be con-
sidered This makes four pressing calls
on the Fifth Division. The trouble is. who
is 10 decide. and on what prnciple?'
The Morning Post. reviewing the va
rious positions Of the beleaguered COM
manders and g3rrsons. asserts that the
relief of Ladysmith is the most important
emergency, and that a victory in Natal
would change the whole face OF affairs.
1t also points out the urgent need of hav-
ing the navy I'm readiness 20 move at any
moment. 20 protect the line Of commun-
cation with South Africa. suggesting that
az quarrel with some foreign Power
might come any day, without any British
intention 10 have one"
BOERS HAVE AMPLE SUPPLIES.
J. p. Robinson. the South African mil
lonaire. writes to the Daily Chronicle.
asserting that the Beers have unlimited
supplies Of ammunition and ample stores,
of food. and declaring that all statements
TO the contrary should be ignored.
No further news has been received
from Cape Town, but the Cape Argus has
n dispatch from a correspondent. de-
scribing the battle at the Tugela river.
who saws: General Barton carried the
village Of ColensO at the point Of the
bavonet. and under a raking FIRE"
The few accounts of the battle that are
vet to hand fail TO give an accurate iden.
but the statement that General Clery
commanded destroys the current idea
that he was engaged I'm some turning
movement. and that the Tugela river bat
tle was only part Of larger scheme OF
operations.
TROUBLE WITH HOLLAND?
LONDON December 1.-THE Daily
Mail publishes the following dispatch
from Antwerp:
"Tbe British and American ministers
AZ the Hague have asked permission 10
retire 10 Antwerp. with view to avoid
inc personal unpleasantness during the
anti-Fnelish attitude OF the Dutch.
"There is no foundation for the reports
on the Continent that the diplomatic re-
lations between Great Britain and the
Netharla pds arc strained
BATTLE OF THE TUGELA
LONDON. December 1S.-A correspond
ent of the Daily Mail. telegraphing from
Frere Camp, Natal. December 18th. ana
describing the Tugela river battle. says:
"The Beers. I'M great force, occupied a
strong entrenched position, commanding
The river. and reaching back about $40
,.ards from its farther side. General
IIart's brigade. on the left, first attempt
ed q crossing. under a murderous Norden-
foldt and rife-hre. The Royal Dublin Flu |
sileers. the Royal Enniskillen Fusileers.
the Kings own Scottish Borderers. and !
The Connaught Rangers crossed, with SUI
nerb and unhinching gallantry. but the
nosition on the other side was found ut
terly untenable
.'rhe British suffered heavily from a |
nerfect hail OF artillery and shrapnel |
while their own artillery was very badly |
mauled They were, therefore. obliged to |
recross the river.
HILDYARD REACHED COLENSO.
con the right. General Hildyards brl-
gaGe. displaying equal heroism, succeed
ed I'm entering the village of Colenso, but |
the Sixth Battery encountered a murder
ous fire and was compelled to retire |
....... .,,r,uui ion WAGONS Oh /