The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-31

LONDON, Jan. 81, 4 a. NIT is now
known that the Cabinet devoted much of
it's discussions on Saturday to the mobii-
zation of the fleet. Nothing was settled
except that, until further security to the
home coasts has been obtained by naval
preparations, the eigth division shall not
be sent to South Africa.
On Monday the Admiralty issued orders
that the channel squadron, instead of leav-
ing Portland this week for Gibraltar, as
previously directed, shall assemble on
Feb. off Eddystone and proceed to Ban
try for fortnight's exercises off the Irish
coast, thus keeqing in home waters for
division at time when reinforcements are
so urgently required may mean only that
the division will embark when the ship
ping is ready.
The mobilization of reserve warships,
if such a course shall be determined upon,
would be the utmost Importance. There
is nothing in the intelligence possessed by
the public to cause the Cabinets prolonged
discussion of this matter and the infer
ence is that the fleet may be modified
as general warning to other countries
alton, or the Ministry may have definite
knowledge that the neutral powers pur-
pose to take some advantages elsewhere
while England is busy in South Africa.
One thing is certain: Ten thousand men
all ready to go to South Africa are de-
tanned for reasons of which the public has
no knowledge.
There is talk of forty-seven military bat
talions being embodied. These are of the
military not previously warned.
A sharp lookout is being kept on volun-
teers for the various South African regi-
suspicious characters were rejected by
headquarters in one regiment on Monday.
Two were Enthusiastically OF Boer origin.
| The third. whose English was faulty, had
been a German officer"
Such scraps of information as can be
gathered regarding the movements of the
armies in the field seem to indicate that
the relief of Ladysmith has been abandoned
for the present and that a concentration
of the British forces for an invasion of
the Free State is in progress In addition to
General KelIy-Kenny's movement General
Brabant. chief of the Cape Colonials. has
arrived at Sterksstroem.
The natives report that three Boer guns
have been removed from spytfontein to
Kimberley. The Beers are apparently MAX
ing a special effort to reduce the place
quickly. The Kimberley garrison was safe
last Sunday.
A dispatch was received from Lord Rob-
erts, dated yesterday. saying there is no
change in the situation in South Africa.
The Associated Press learns that General
Littleton's brigade is still in its original
position at Potgieter's drift. showing that
part Of General Buffers forces are still
north of the Tugela river.
Confirmation has been received of the
report that General Kelly-Kenny. COM
manding the Sixth Division. has occupied
Thebus, about midway between General
French. at Rensburg, and General Cat
acre, at Sterkstroem. From this IL is de-
duced that juncture of the three forces
is being made preparatory TO the begin
ming of the plan of advance on Bloem-
fontein.
A special dispatch from Durham says
refugee who has arrived there from
johannesburg reports the destruction of
the Boer shell factory at that place on
Jan. 20. The loss. 1t Is added. is irrepar-
able.
General Butler reports that the casual
ties to the noncommissioned officers and
men in the two actions OF Jan. 20 and Jan.