The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1900-01-04
CHEER FOR BRITONS.
Colonial Troops Distinguish
Themselves In Battle.
CONFIRMATION OF FRENCH'S VICTORY
BuIler's Army In Fine Form ana
Confident of Future succcss-Vhe
Cabinet to ENpcnd five Million
Pounds For National Dsfcnsc.

Pounds For National Dsfensc.
LONDON. Jan. 3.-The Morning pa
pers are unanimous in praising the gal
lantry of the Canadian and colonial
troops. The Times says:
The mother country will share with
the Canadians and Australians in the
pride and qualification they must feel ut
the fine qualities displayed by their
troops in this dashing little engagement.
The Standard says:
THE Canadians and Australians hao
been spelling for fight. Now they have
had their opportunity, and they have
greatly distinguished themselves by their
coolness and discipline From the view
point of imperial unity the little fight
may fairly be described as one of the
most gratifying events recorded i'll the
history of the British race"
Although the continuance of minor sue
cesses gratifes the British public. it is
not forgotten that the larger aspects of
the campaign are unchanged. As The
Daily News remarks, 1T is day of
small mercies."
The importance of both General
French's and Colonel Pitchers victories
lies in the effect they are likely to have
upon the colonial Dutch. The latest dis
patch from Douglas confirms the earlier
report that the Boer laagers consisted
chiefly of British subjects who, on the
arrival Of the small Free State COM
mando accepted probably an invitation
to throw in their lot with the Beers.
Colonel Pitcher reports. through the
officer commanding at the Orange river:
Il have completely defeated hostile
command at the Sunnysid laager this
t,l-, Ia, 1nn ,1
prisoners besides the killed and wound
ed. Our casualties are two privates kill
ed and Lieutenant Adie wounded. Am
encamped at Dover farm, 20 miles
northwest of Belmont and ten miles from
Sunnysde."
The Daily Mail has the following dis
patch dated Jan. |. from Rensburg:
Yesterday afternoon a big force of
cavalry and infantry, with ten guns, un.
der the personal command of General
French, moving by detour. occupied some
hills three miles from Colesberg, where
the Beers were in strength, confident in
the natural aid afforded them by the
hills around.
"The enemy's position extended siA
miles around the entire village. At day
break our artillery opened the battle. The
Beers were taken by surprise, but replied
vigorously. An artill~"~ 'fual was main
tained for two hours. Then Boer Hotch
kiss collapsed and was abandoned. W.
captured it, A Boer big gun was silenced
but this and the other Boer guns were
withdrawn to the northward. whittier W.
are harassing the Boer retreat by dam
aging shell fire.
''Colesberg is in our hands, and the few
remaining loyalsts are jubilant. w
have captured many wagons and n con
siderable quantity of stores.
"Our losses were quite slight. but tn
Beers must have suffered heavily. The.
may stop at Achtertang or cross the rive
altogether at Norval's Pont, where tn
bridge is still intact
The DAILY Mail makes the followin
statement this morning:
I'VE understand that the defense CON
mittee of the cabinet, after careful cor
sideration of the question of the defens
of the empire, particularly with regard t
artillery, will shortly call for the expend
ture of E5,000,000 to make good def
ciencies and to place the nation on pa
with other great powers.
"The new equipment will be provide
as speedily as possible, and, while sufi
ciently mobile for use in the field it
intended to be adaptable to the necess
ties of what are known as guns of pos
ton
The queen has accepted the services
II battalions of militia for foreign ST
tions. Seven of these are assigned
South Africa.
The Earl of Albcmarle will commar
the City of London infantry division i
stead of Colonel Sir Charles Howal
Vincent.