Passaic City record., 1899-12-23
But short time before the following an.

But short time before the following an.
nouncement was made:
'Acting upon the advice of the military
authorities Her Majesty's Government has
approved the following measure:
.All the remaining portions of the army
reserve, including Section d, are called
out. The Seventh Division, which is being
mobilized, will proceed to South Africa
without delay. The Commander In Chief
in South Africa has been authorized to
continue to raise at his discretion local
troops, mounted.
"Nine battalions of militia in addition
to two battaions which have already vol
unteered for service at Malta and one for
service in the Channel Islands, will be al
lowed to volunteer for service outside OF the
United Kingdom; and an equivalent num-
Der of militia battalions will be embodied
or service at home.
"a strong force of volunteers, selected
from the yeomanry regiments, will be
formed for service in South Africa.
Arrangements are being made, and will
shortly be announced, for the employment
in South Africa of strong contingent OF
carefully selected volunteers. The pa
triotic offers which are being received from
the colonies will, so far as possible, be ac-
cepted, preference being given to offers OF
mounted contingents."
These startling orders mean that almost
the whole strength of the British Empire
mobilization Of the troops will be pushed
with the greatest possible speed and the
fastest ships from the British mercantile
marine will be used to hurry the forces to
the Cape. 1t is calculated that these re-
endorsements will begin to reach South
Africa in about five weeks.
Meantime, the original campaign will
be abandoned and a general policy of mark
time will be adopted by the commanders
of the forces now in the field All the indica
tions now point to the beginning of great
campaign late in January. Meantime La
dysmith, Kimberley and Mafeking must
wait. Their situation is perilous, but ac-
cording to all accounts there is no serious
danger that famine will be added to theil
other Sufferings.
The news of Great Britain's tremendous
preparations may spur the Beers into seri
Gus aggression before the fresh British
troops arrive, but thus far they have shown
no aesire to attack entrenched forces while
the British disasters have been caused by
Just that thing.
General Butler reports to the War Office
that bis losses were: Killed, 80; wounded,
667; missing, 348; a total of 1887. taaS
The Times, commenting on the situation,
says:
ssNeither the Crimean war nor the Indian
mutiny gave rise to greater dangers to the
emp pire than that with which we are now
menaccd; nor at either Of those critical
periods was Great Britain so isolated politi-
cally, or regarded with such dislike and
suspicion as are now almost everywhere
apparent. We are fighting not merely for
supremacy in South Africa, but for our
position as great power. We know we
have miscalculated the strength OF our foe,
md we are resolved to make that miscal-
.ulation good"
The Liberal organs foreshadow serious
reckoning for the government when the
time comes. The Daily Chronicle hints
that General Sir William Butler, who was
recalled from the Cape command because
of his Boer sympathies, long ago advised
the Government that the prosecution OF
Mr.. Chamberlain's policy would make
heavy reinforcements for the Cape impera-
tive.