The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-12-27
In SOUTH AFRICA.

LONDON, Dec. ~. ne government
has at last consented TO mobilize
force which Gen. Butler has all along
demanded as an essential 10 success in
South Africa, namely 10000 mounted
infantry. The wsr Office has now de
cided to raise for South Africa mount
ed infantry force, to be called imperial
yeomanry and to be recruited from CT
villains possessing the requisite qualifi-
cations. Enlistment will be for one year
or during the continuance of the war.
The same order invites every voun-
teer regiment that is linked with
regular battalion serving at the front
to supply full company which will
take the place of the mounted infantry
of the regiment. The enrolled strength
of the yeomanry forces, which origin
ated in the troublous period of the
French revolution, is now 10,433.
Their services have never before been
called for in war.
Alfred Newton, the Lord Mayor of
London, is raising and equipping a
force of a Thousand volunteers. The
large city firms are contributing neces-
sary expenses. Col. Sir Charles How.
ard Vincent, commaudant of the
Qneen's Westminster Volunteers, has
also offered to raise a regiment of a
thousand picked marksmen. The en-
thusiasm of volunteer enlistmenls con-
tinues and promises TO give the govern
ment ample material.
A correspondent Of the Daily NetCS
telegraphing from Modder river last
Saturday, says: THE Boer position,
already formidable on December 10,
has since been greatly strengthened,
extending a distance of II miles. 1t
| is entrenched according to the most
modern methods throughout its entire
| length; wire fences have been placed
before all the trenches at every point;
guns have been got into position and
there is every evidence that the Beers
are well supplied with ammunition.
Only a powerful attacking force can
| hope to make successful assault"
Gen. Lord Roberts, who is to have
full command of the British troops in
South Africa, arrived in London today.
'For the friendly interest and sym
patty exhibited by many Americans"
he said, II am most deeply grateful.
l feel sure the justice of our cause
merits this"
| LONDON. Dec. 22.-Still no definite
news comes regarding the military
operations in South Africa. This may
be due 10 the tact that only one cable is
working and that is choked with Official
dispatches.
Geueral Buffers casualty list at Co.
lenso, just published, shows that 4-6
were killed, TAG wounded. Two bun.
"A a6 apd fmaptu.oayan ora JaonrihnI N
missing and of these about forty are
known to be prisoners in the hands of
the Beers. This makes total larger
than Gen. Buffers original estimate.
LONDON, Dec. 22.-There is consid.
cradle agitation against the attitude of
Portugal in allowing Delsgoa Bay to
be an open door through which the
Beers are receiving ammunition and
recruits. The Globe urges that Eng-
land ought to assume direct control of
Delagoa Bay during the war.
The Times summarizes the military
situation in gloomy terms. II says:
"There seems to be little prospect of
relieving Ladysmith by a general adj
vance along the railway. The proba-
bility increases that ii Gen. White is
| pioSSNu iOi eupplloo uo must uguL MS
way south at all costs. Viewing the
situation as whole its extreme grav.
ity is apparent. Our forces in the field
are wildly scattered, and for a time
will be unable to assume the offensive.
The incubus of Ladysmith and KIM
berley sill dominates the position"
LONDON, Dec. 21.-The Daily Mail
says: "We understand that news has
arrived from Gen. White TO the effect
that Ladysmith is well supplied with
foo d and ammunition and can hold ont
much longer than has been estimated.
The troops are described as in good
spirits and anxious to fight"
The Westminster Gazette sounds a
note OF alarm. 1t thinks the moment
peculiarly unpropitious to send abroad
the home defenders, since no one is
quite easy as to the effect the British
proceedings in South Africa will have
upon Great Br tain's European neigh
bOrs.
Belated stories from Chevely camp
in Natal all concur in saying that the
British did marvels in an impossible