The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-01-16
MORE BOERS THAN BRITISH.
GEN. BULLER'S FORCE Is SAID TO
DE OUTNUMBERED.

licVed, Is Being Drawn Closer.
Much Difficulty Experienced in he
cruiting the Xeomanry-kruger ON
the Jameson Rnid-Has Been Dis
trustful of the English Ever since.
Ministers VIII stand Together.
London, Jan. 16, 4 a. m.-Gen. Buffers
latest authentic word as to what he and
his 10000 men are doing, was wired from
Springfield after his first forward step.
Striving to think out the unknown, Lon
don is confused by surmise and rumor and
disquieted by suspense.
Spencer Wilkinson, the lucid military
expert Of the Morning Post, asserts that
the Boer force in Northern Natal is larger
than Gen, Buffers and Sir George Whites
together, so that the Beers are able to
leave force around Ladysmith larger
than that within the town and yet to op-
pose Gen Butler with force superior to
his own
Reports from the Boer camps affirm that
the circle of investment has been drawn
closer by the occupation of some hills
near the town, thus liberating reinforce
ments to oppose Gen. Butler.
Although the war pages of the great
dalies to-day are almost barren, the tel
egraph instruments click ceaselessly.
Yeomanry recruiters are getting only
one and one-half companies out of up
wards 1909 applicants in the metropolitan
districts, the others failing to meet re-
quirements and although the provinces
are doing better, the raising of 10000 yeo-
men is far from easy.
A strike among the military tailors is
another perplexity.
Nruger's View of IL.
J. p. Robinson the South African mil
lionaire, in a signed article in the Daily
News this morning relates a conversa-
tion he has had with President Kruger.
On one occasion President Kruger said:
do you mean to tell me that you do
not know that the men who organized
and engineered the jameson raid organ
lied it FOR their own benefit? They had
decided how they would divide the Trans
vaal and how each of the parties was to
| have certain interests in this country.
MANY reformers who were put In jail
were perfectly innocent They were ig-
| norant of the schemes of the men In the
inner circle. There were only twelve men
| in that inner circle and they were to d.
vide the Transvaal among themselves.
"They and their companies found the
money for the raid. DO you think we
| are SO innocent as not to know thai
| Rhodes, metaphorcally speaking, held q
| pistol at the heads of certain men In Eng
| land and said to them: IF you do not sup
| port me l shall denounce you and your
| completely in the raid
At this stage according to Mr.. Robinson
| President Kruger became more excited
and shouted so loudly that people in the
| street stopped to listen to the conversa-
| ton.
Mr.. Kruger then said
And now you are demonstrating with
me about arming. It is true that | am
arming, and it is because | see clearly
that l must defend my country"
England wouldn't Permit 1t.
| To this Mr.. Robinson replied:
| THE British public is aroused. If any
| attempt were made again TO enter this
| country there would be a great outcry IN
| England, and the imperial authorities
| would take steps TO punish the organizers
| and to prevent such free-booung eXpedi-
| tions."
| president Kruger approached Mr.. Robin
| son, placed a hand on his shoulder, made
a violent effort to suppress his excite
ment:
you mean well, but have lost all con-
| ndence. Wndl mas HdppeHSu NOuid ldkt
place again. and am determined to guard
| against It,"
| Later Mr.. Kruger sald
| "What is to prevent Rhodes and his CO.
adjutors again engineering some daboli-
cal attempt against the independence OF
my country?"
The Birmingham Mail, the organ of Jo-
| seph Chamberlain, says:
eve understand, on the highest author
| ity that IL the government is defea ted IN
| Parliament on the question of the war the
cabinet win Immediately appeal to the
country all the ministers having decided
to stand together, and not to permit any
individual minister to be made scape-
goat"