The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-04

LONDON, Jan. 4, l:30 q. m.-There II =
complete absence of anything new from
the seat OF war. The report of the Boer
attack upon Molteno is not yet con-
firmed. Apparently Gen. French holds
nothing within five miles of Colesburg
junction. His request for reinforcements
dispels any present hope that he will be
able to seize one of the crossings Of the
Orange river.
French VIII BE Ordered Back.
It is probable that when Lord Roberts
arrives Gen. French will be ordered to
quit his present unsupported position and
to concentrate his command at De Aar or
Orange river. As the Daily Telegraph
says, Gen. French seems to be in the
position of q man having tiger cat In D
trap and unable to kill 1t for want OF
stick"
Pitcher Returns to Camp.
A dispatch from Dover announces that
Lieut.. Col Pitcher has returned there
safely from Douglass.
Bombardment of Ladysmith.
Since Commandant Gen. Joubert's re-
turn to the front the cannonade of Lady,
smith by the Beers has been much livelfer.
Between December IS ana December -
four shells killed one officer and FOUR
teen men and wounded thirteen officers
and eleven men.
The war ONCE acknowledges the In
sufiiciency OF the regular artillery by
authorizing the equipment OF the new
battery attached to the London volun-
teer corps with vickers and Maxims. some
- s,oo nj hu nj
100 of these twelve and one-half poundel
quick -firers built Immediately. The Of
ficers and men of the new battery will
be supplied from the Honorable Artillery
Company.
More Militia Called Out.
Eight additional militia regiments have
been called out Seven Of these will serve
in ireland. replacing the regulars sent to
South Africa.
Volunteers for the Front.
Hon. Sidney Robert Greville. equerry
to the Prince of Wales, has obtained the
princes permission to go to the front.
Recently he has been acting as Lord
Ealisbury's secretary instead OF Schom-
berg Mcdonnell, who has gone to South
Africa.
Among the announcements of those who
volunteered yesterday appear the names
of hundred or more Sons of gentlemen.
Many OF these are Scotch.
Much Made Of Pitchers Battle.
Lacking news from main British camps
in South Africa, whose future action can
alone have important effect on the Iarg-
er issues OF the campaign. the British
public is making the most OF Col. Pilch-
er's miniature battle Unbounded tribute
is paid TO the prowess of the Canadians
and Australians. and graphic accounts
are published of the scenes at Douglass
as the victorious troops entered that
place.
HIS Force welcomed.
A representative OF the Associated
Press, with the flying column, says:
'sThe immediate result OF Pitchers suc-
cess is the entire dispersal OF the rebels
who have been governing the country for
the past six weeks"
After sunnyside was captured. the
Torontos occupied the laager for
the night and Joined the main body
the following morning. bringing the whole
OF the Boer tents. wagons and loot and
leaving Cornwalls In the garrison at Sum
nyside. The British force then started for
Douglass. the Torontos bringing up the
rear in wagons.
Troops Enter Douglass.
In the afternoon troops entered town
unopposed and amid extraordinary scenes.
The inhabitants were overjoyed and crowd
ed about the soldiers. shaking hands with
them. and when they learned that their
deliverers were Canadians and Australians.
the enthusiasm became frenzied. There
were deafening cheers as the troops trav-
ersed the main street. and It was almost
impossible for them to make progress. the
crowds being so eager to shake hands with
the colonials 1t appears the landdrost and
all the mounted rebels evacuated the place
on the previous night. Unmounted rebels
are reported intrenched In the vicinity.
Quantities of ammunition were captured
and destroyed"
The Prisoners British Subjects.
A dispatch from Modder river intimates
that the Sunnyside prisoners will not be
treated as prisoners Of war. but as British
subjects caught in open rebellion.
At Modder river camp the conduct Of the
coloniaIs is greatly admired and all are
delighted that they have struck the frst
blow on the western frontier since the
battle OF Magersfontein. 1t il believed the
relief Of Kuruman will quickly follow.
Brief Report From French.
- t1.tS