Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-21

N,
a retirement
The latest news from Mafeking. dated
december 9th has jus been received. 1t
says a desultory bombardment was
continuing and the sharpshooters were
engaged In smart duel mornings and
evenings.
A SHELLS CONTENTS.
The dispatch also describes a. novel
method OF sending q message, adopted
by some Beers, December 4th. A i've
pcunder shell fired into the town that
day did not explode. It was op aned and
FOUND to contain a letter as follows:
Dear Powell Colonel Baden owell):
Excuse iron messenger. No other means
OF communicating. Please tell Mrs -
mother and family all well. Don't drinl,
All the whfskey. Leave some for no
wnen we get In" The sender's sigma
ture was torn off,
London. Dec. 21.-The appeals for
yeomany and volunteers are being re-
sponoed to with the greatest enthu-
1,aSih IN all parts of the country. Lord
Woiseiey proposes that the force being
raised by the Lord Mayor of Landau
pe calicd the CITY of London Imperial
voiunteers The government expects
me total or yeomanry and volunteers
10 reach 5000. Baron Gresham viii
command. with Lord Lonsdale "a adm
The papers are now eeneralIv to,n-
ing in free criticism of the government
ana the War Office. as day by day fresh
proofs or unpreparedness come to light
opeclal stress Is laid upon the failure
70 provide proper transports. which
compels the columns to stick tight to
railways and upon the inferlority of the
British artillery.
The Australian colonies are respond-
INN ,;,f
ments appeal for second contineents
III IS reported that the Queen will
abandon her proposed visit to Italy. In
consequence of the war.
one Of the results Of the coal famine
IN the Sheffield district, indirectly
Using our or the war, is that several
Important steel firms are not able to
get coal, even from their own collier
les a Few miles distant. They will sue
the railway companies for non-deliyerv
OF coal. One of the great armor plate
works has shut down partially.
LORD ROBERTS.
London. Dec. 20.-General Lord Ron.
erts, who is to have full command NJ
The British troops in South Africa. ac-
companied by Lady Roberts and their
two daughters, arrived in London this
morning. having travelled from Dublin
with Mr.. Chamberlain. Their de-
parture from Dublin was marked nv
cheering crowds. but the General made
q quiet entry into London. After eo-
Ing to private hotel, he spent about
an hour at the War Office in consulta-
ton with the Marquis Of Lansdowne.
the Secretary of State for War. Then
General Roberts returned to the task
OF packing his effects and interviewing
the officers selected for his staff.
A PARTING MESSAGE.
yThay %
Tommy Atkins, received a representa-
tive of the Associated Press, he was
dressed in the deepest black in vivid
contrast with his snow white hair and
moustache. His dapper little figure
was as straight as ever, but the eyes
that have so often scanned British
victory were slightly dimmed by the
fallen him. But in spite of this and
the multitude of details that claimed
his attention. General Roberts WILL
ingly assented to send through the
Associated Press a parting message to
the American people, and gave the
following statement:
circumstances naturally forbid my
speaking about the campaign ahead Of
me, except to say that I have entire
confidence in the British solder. and
that I believe the traditions of orr
arnv will be upheld in South Africa.
For the friendly interest and SYM
pathy exhibited by many Americans I
am, most deeply grateful. 1 feel sure
the justice of our cause merits this:
Though we may be at war, can safely
say that no unnecessary ilarshness
and no acts of inhumanlty will mar the
fair name of this branch OF the Anglo
Saxon race.
THE reports which indicate that dis
loyalty exists in the Irish regiments
are absolutely untrue. In the hour Of