The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-31

Move Well BE Against Free state
LONDON, Jan. 81, Q. NIT 10 now
known that the cabinet devoted much Of
It's discussions on Saturday to the mobai-
ization of the fleet. Nothing was settled
except that until further security TO the
home coasts has been obtained BY naval
preparations, the Eighth division shall mot
be sent to South Africa.
Channel Squadron Maneuvsrs.
On Monday the admiralty issued orders
that the channel squadron. instead Of
leaving Portland this week for Gibraltar,
as previously directed, shall assemble on
February or Eddystone and proceed to
Bantry for fortnight's exercises on the
British coast. thus keeping 1t in home
waters for a time.
This decision to delay the Eighth divis-
ion at time when reinforcements are 10
urgently required may mean only more
troops are not yet available, and that the
division will embark when the shipping il
ready.
Mobilisation Of Resevte ships.
The mobilization Of reserve warships. II
such q course shall be determined upon,
would be of the utmost Importance. There
is nothing in the intelligence possessed BY
the public to cause the cabinets prolong-
ed discussion of this matter, and the I'M
ference is that the fleet may be mcbillzed
as general warning to other countries
to keep their hands on the Transvaal NJ
uation. or the ministry may have definite
knowledge that the neutral powers pur-
pose to take some advantage eisewhsro
while England Is busy In South Africa
Troops Are Detainsa.
One thing is certain. Ten thousand men,
all ready to go to South Africa, are de-
tained for reasons of which the public has
no knowledge. There is talk OF forty
seven military battaiions being embodied.
These are all OF the militia not previously
warned.
New Plan Of Campaign.
Such scraps of information as can Be
gathered regarding the movements Of tho
armies in the field seem to indicate that
the relief OF L4adysmith has been aban-
doned for the present. and that q concern
tration OF the British for an invasion Of
the Free State Is in progress. In addi-
tion to Gen. Kelly -Kinney's movements.
Gen. Brant, OF the Cape Colonials. has
arrived at Etrekstroom.
Renewed Assaults On Klmberley.
The natives report that three Boef guns
have been removed from Spytfontein to
Kimberley. The Beers are apparently
making special effort to reduce the place
quickly. The Kimberley garrison was safs,
last Sunday.
Queens Message to Warren.
The Cape Town correspondent Of the
Daily Mail, telegraphing yesterday. says:
"Gen. Butler yesterday Gonday) read
the following message from the queen 20
Sir Charles Warren's force:
81 must express my admiration OF the
troops during the past trying week. cspe-
cially Of those regiments you specify. ana
Of the accomplishment of your arduous
march, i
ought not to think because they had re-N
tired from their position that all their
work was OF no avail. On the contrary,
in his opinion they had gained the key
to the road to Ladysmith, in which he
hoped to be within week.
"Gen. Butler then called for cheers for
the queen. which were heard for mtlAs
around"
Boer Shell Factory DestroyeA.
A special dlSpatcn from DurOan e4yo
refugee who has arrived there from Jo-
hannesburg says that the destruction Of
the Boer shell factory at that place on
January 20 was accomplished. The losc. Il
is added, is irreparable.
mbardment OF Kimberley.
KIMBERLEY. Jan. M.-rhe Wholesale
bombardment, which lasted all day yes
terday, was resumed this morning. The
Beers sent $50 shells into all parts Of kim
berley. There were several casualties. in
Guiding woman and child
French Reconnoiters.
RENsBURG. Cape Colony. Jan. H.
Gen. French reconnoitered yesterday BY
Bastards mex. with force Of Hussars.
Inniskillings. four guns Of the Royal ar
tillery, mounted infantry. the Yorkshirss,
wiltshire and portion Of the ESSEX reg
iments.
Turning to the northeast, he approached
the Boer position at Reitfonteir. nina miles
beyond Coiesburg, on the wagon bridge
road which the enemy have been sortfy-
ing with view OF falling back when they
evacuated Colesburg.
Cautiously approaching. Gen. French
shelied the enemy. who replied with arttI-
iery and infantry fire.
The British. who were protected. suf-
fered very little. An officer and nine men
were wounded. One OF the latter has since
died, and three men are missing. A. tho
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