Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-23
ROBERTS SAILS SOUTH.
British South African Commander Given
an Ovation.

ROBERTS, VINO IS TO com manu the DFlI-
ish forces in South Africa. left at noon
amidst scenes of greatest enthusiasm.
The prince of Wales. Lord Wolseley,
the duke of Cambridge, the duke of
Connaught and many other distin-
guished personages were present.
Southampton, Dec. 23.-On arriv-
ing at Southampton, Gen. Roberts
was heartily cheered by thousands of
people as he boarded the steamer for
South Africa.
Cairo, Dec. 23.-Col. Wingate has
succeeded Gen. Kitchener as sidar and
governor general of the Soudan.
London. Dec. % The war Office is
sued a list of minor casualties re-
ceived at Pietermartzburg, by tele-
graph Wednesday, showing that La
dysmith was still holding out then.
London, Dec 23.-The most interest
ing news from South Africa yesterday
was received by Lady Randolph
Churchill from her son Winston, who
cabled her of his safe escape from the
Beers. The cable being dated al Loren
20 Marquee, showing that he has
passed right through Boer territory
without recapture.
The following dispatch has been re-
ceiYed from LOurenzO Marques under
date of Dec. IL regarding ChurchillS
escape: Mr.. Churchill wrote General
JOubert on Dec. asking to be released
on the ground of being war CORE
sopndent. General Joubert Oh Dec. Il;
replied that Mr.. Churchill had been
represented as Il cOmbatant assisting
an armOred train to escape. He added
that Mr.. Churchill was unknown TO
him personally. but lie would accept
his assurance that he was Il non-com-
Blatant and would order his release.
The order arrived at Pretoria ten hours
after Mr.. Churchill had escaped. leav-
ing behind him a letter expressing
gratitude for the treatment he had
received
Another piece of news was that
there had been Il sortie at Ladysmith,
in which seven British were killed and
fourteen wounded. But the result of
the sortie otherwise was not stated
y dispatch from Cape Town. dated
Sunday. Dec. Il. says that General
Methuen'S primary object in crossing
the MOdder river appears To have been
to establish searchlight communication
with Kimberley, which is believed to
he still on full ratiOns. The wafer in
the mines is plentiful. On the other
hand. in spite of their usual tactics, il
is considered possible that the Beers
have been compelled To- assume the of
fcnsiye. the commander having ar
ranged for the disposition of the forces
and anticipating difficulty in maintain
ing food supplies in the presents. More
over. il is said there is a growing de-
sire among the Free Staters 10 return
home. which is'testified to many sides
and may tend to precipitate an action
ON the part of the Boer commands.
In spite of the delay of General
NIethuen in advancing he iS regarded
as largely the master of the situation.
and his entrcnched position is believed
TO be unaSSailable. IN the event of the
Beers attacking Kimberley General
Methuen would he enabled Ia make IL
countermove with his artillery and cav
airy. Consequently such movement
on the part of the Beers. il is said. iS
not contemplated. 1t iS apparent.
therefore. that to make haste slowly is
the truest policy AT present. In ac-
corlance with General Methuen's die
tum the army should not advance fast
er than the slowest oX-wagons.
German Press Veers to south 4 frica.
Berlin. Dec. 23.-A gradual veering
of public opinion in Germany regard
ing the war in South Africa is becom-
ing apparent. The change is led by
the inspired section of the press. Yes
tefudN several articles appear pointing
in the new direction. The Cologne Ga
zette argues strongly against the folly
OF demOnstrative anglOphObia." and
other papers take the same line. En-
perOr Williams influence iS now strong
ly eXeTted in an anglophile direction.
1t is said on reliable authority that he
has repeatedly expressed himself dur
ing the week in the following vein:
We must not repeat last years mis-
take. Right or wrong. we must con-
tinue friends with England"
Beers Are Largely Reinforced.
SierSkStroom. &. G.. Saturday. Dec.
1G.-The Beers have been largely re-