The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1900-02-09

l4cHtiot. rep. s5.-lieNOSfanlS tEaSllcu
from Ladysmith three days ago say
that the Boer investment lines before
there were thinning and that the be-
sicgers were moving their forces to.
ward the Tugela. thus Indicating n col
lision was expected there. All intclli-
gence bears signs that Gen. Butler has
commenced IL fresh attack. The war
Office continues to reveal nothing Of
what has happened in Natal. Without
exception the military critics regard
with Gismay the prospect OF Il further
assault unless Gen. Butler has been
heavily reinforced, and there is moth.
ing to indicate that that is the case
Lord Kitchener has been travelling
from army to army in northern Cape
Colony. and Gen. French. by instruc-
tons, is now in Cape Town consulting
with Lord Roberts. Large engineering
constructions are proceeding at Mo(lder
River. suggesting that Lord Methuen's
fortified camp has been selected as tht.
base from which
To Invade the Free State.
Numerous signs, platforms, ware.
houses. etc. are being built. and the
temporary railroad bridge is we'll adj
vanccd. Engineers assert that tho
topography of the country would make
invasion easier from Kimberley and
the district nortlward than from the
more rugged region of StcrkStroom o,
Colcsberg. Therefore. they infer that
the combined British forces will over
whclm the Beers at AIag.erfontein
and first relieve Kimberley as an in
cidcnt of the INVASION
Gen. Buffers retreat" says the
Cape Town correspondent of the
Standard. "has resulted in a recr,,,lrs-
cence Of reasonable talk here" The
bitter feeling of the Dutch against the
British has possibly suggested the op-
nortuncneSs of an organized attack on
Sir Alfred Miner by the NIinisterialist
press. The coming congress of the.
Afrikander hurd is expected to consitl-
er resolution expressing disapproval
of the policy which led up to the
war;" and urging ''lnace on fair
terms"
The cost Of the wa;' To the end Of the
fiscal year. March 81. is estimated mt
f30 ,0OO.OGO lS150.WD.OOo). The house
of commons has already granted ITO.
O00,OGO, and the Times says another
l2O,OOU,taW Will be asked for.
Roberts Wants Moro Men.
London, Feb :'.-Scnsational rumors
are current that the militia ballot act
will he put in force Feb. IA and that
Lord Roberts. the commander-in-clicf
Of the British, forces in South Africa,
has cabled for 10000 additional mon.
which, it is added. the government has
promised to give him. sending 50.091
militia anil volunteers and 10000
militia reserves. 1t is also sad that
the volunteers will be modified forth
with. 1t is even asserted that the cab
met has specially dealt with these mat
ters. The militia ballot act makes
every unmarried man l,ntwcen ci@l,-
teen and thirty years OF age Liable 10
serve for five years.
Frc2 Staters Tired of War.
Cape Town. Fob. Sit appears be-
You'd doubt that III" Free Skaters are
becoming tired OF tlH. war. and il is rl,-
mOred that some influential Free State
leaders have entered into secret ncgo-
tiationS Will, the military authorities
with Il view OF ascrrtnining what
terms Great Britain would hr disposed
to offer should they leave their Trans
yaal allies.