Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1900-02-24

London, rep. A.-ClOSe on an uHOHi-
cial dispatch announcing that Harris
brigade of Buffers army had on Tuesday
occupied ColenSo comes an official dis
patch from Butler confirming the news
and adding that Joubert is in retreat and
that Hart is crossing the Tugela in pur-
suit of his rear guard. This is in cul-
mination of series of dispatches from
Natal which have chronicled a steady
advance toward the Tugela, beginning
Wednesday last. The climax. the relief
OF Ladysmilh. should follow very soon
Buffers expressed opinion that Joubert
has raised the siege of Ladysmith and
is marching to- defend the allies terri
tory, leaving only thin line to dispute
the relief of Whites garrison, j.
strengthened by the fact of the feeble
resistance encountered by Butler in his
campaign since Wednesday.
General Clements reports that the
force confronting him has been greatly
diminished Ten thousand men are
estimated to have gone from the Coles
berg district alone. Tie Beers are alsl
retracing their steps from Zululand
Thus they are relaxing their hold on all
sides in order to assemble to oppos
General Roberts. He is pressing on
steadily towards BlOemfonten This is
shown by his inconscquential telegram
from Paardeberg 80 OF 60 miles away.
Doubtless he is miles behind the column
that is pursuing the Beers, and the next
of Blocmfontein.
Nothing has been heard from the
chase of ca onje for two days. Although
the last words of the war office last night
were that there was no news for pub
licaton, there is a strong disposition to
believe that favorable information has
been received. but is being withheld un-
til the operations culnlnate in some
thing more conclusive. There is an
equally strong disposition to think that
General Cronje has got away.
Owing to the lack of transport, the
British are not likely to invade Boer
territory, except where Lord Roberts is
operating.
General Butler will have to stop at the
Drakensberg mountains. Probably Il
part of his 10000 men will ultimately
join the legions of Lord Roberts.
Nevertheless troops continue to go
up. The war office thinks that the call
to veterans to rejoin the colors, together
with the bounty. will bring out $4,000
men t. the home defense. The urgency
with which home defense is pressed ex-
cites some wonder.
With the casualties just reported, the
British losses III killed, wounded and
captured now aggregate 11,102.
The house of commons last night, hy
a vote of 2S6 to 152, refused to reopen the
inquiry into the connection of Mr..
Chamberlain with the Jameson raid.
In the house of commons the attack
upon Mr.. Chamberlain by the Radicals
was furious enough, but weak. owing to
the fact that it was not shared in by the
Liberal leaders. Mr.. Chamberlain was
almost unnecessarily fierce. Mr.. Har-
court practically acquitted Mr.. Cham
bcrlain, and then the whole interest went
practically out of the debate.
Washington, Feb. 21.-Consul General
Stowe at Cape Town urges American
manufacturers to seize the opportunity
to introduce their goods, saying that
goods of all sorts, taken by the Boer
army from the British colonies, will have
to be replaced.
Vienna, Feb. 21.-Strange rumors are
atloat in Vienna, and still stranger
things are undoubtedly occurring. Ru-
mors point to impending hostilities. BE-
tween Bulgaria and Servia. There is
no doubt that both are massing troops
on the frontiers. 1t looks impossible,
however. that a war should occur, be-
cause neither country possesses the nee
essary financial sinews, and neither
Russia or Austria would sanction such
an outbreak.
Berlin. Feb. 2l.-In the reichstag yes
tcrday. before the budget commission.
Minister of War Won Gossler admit ed
that automobiles had proved valua ble
adjunct in army transportation but only
to a limited extent.
Paris. Feb. 21.-During the discussion
of the war budget i'm the chamber of
deputies yesterday, great impression
was made by u declaration from War
Minister Gallifet relative to the i'm.
provement OF the French rifle. He
said: Thanks to the eminent director
Of infantry. General Mallet. France ii.
six months time will possess the fines,
rifle in the world, and only slight mod
ihcation of the present weapon will be
necessary"
Newport News, Va, Feb. 2l.-The first
class battleship kearsarge was placed in
commission with the usual ceremonies
yesterday at the Newport News Shir-
building and Dry Dock company's yard
Captain A. NJ. Folger assumed COM
mand.
REpURT ICANS APE NERVOIIC