The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-21
to the commander-in-chief Of the forces.
Lord Wolseiey:

to the commander-in-chief OF the forces.
Lord Wolseley;
osborne. Feb. II.
MY Dear Lord wolseley AS so large
a proportion Of the army is now In South
Africa, the queen fully realizes that neces-
sary measures must be adopted for home
defense. Her majesty is advised that IL
would be possible to devise for year an
efficient force from her old soldiers who
have already served as officers. non
commissioned officers and privates. and
confident IN their devotion to their coun-
try and loyalty TO the throne. the queen
appeals 70 them to serve her once more
In place Of those who, for time. togeth-
er with the people OF her colonies. are
nobly resisting the invasion OF her South
African possessions Her majesty has
signihed her pleasure that these battal-
Ions shall be designated the royal reserve
battalions of her army"
No Beers Near Kimberley.
KIMBERLEY. Feb. 1s-The country Is
all free around Kimberley. The Beers
have evacuated Dronfields. saltpan.
Spietfontein and Sholtz mex Another
twelve-pounder. with ammunition. was
captured, as was also their lager at Dron-
fields. which was abandoned on Friday
night. Rails are being laid to Modder
captured. Cecil Rhodes is in excellent
spirits.
Much Shipping Going On.
DURHAM, Feb. 1e-while Butler Ia con-
tinuing his movement on the extreme
right and has made every disposition for
the defense OF his position to the left and
south OF the Tugela by maintaining a
force adequate for that purpose. isolated
parties Of Beers sometimes cross the riy-
er. There is much snIping
TrapsvaaI Orders shells.
PARIS, Feb. 2o--Accoriing to a dispatch
from Rennes, a factory there has received
an order from the TransvaaI government
for 10000 artillery shells
FIRST Trains for Kimberley.
CAPE TOWN. Feb. 1e.-Repairs to the
railway have sufficiently advanced to en-
able the dispatch tonight or the first train
TO Kimberley, laden with coal. After that
the military requirements will be the first
consideration; second. foodstuffs, and then
passengers, which latter train, IL IL an
tieipated. will start on Wednesday or
Thursday
Zig British Convoy Captured.
CRADDoCK. Cape Colony, Feb. 20
Details have arrived here with respect TO
the capture OF the British convoy at Riet
river II appears that the wagons were
iaagered near the drift and that the con-
voy VAS attacked by 1890 Beers with four
guns. The Smelling continued all day.
one hundred and eighty wagons were
captured containing provisions and for
age. Half the drivers and leaders were
killed or missing.
Spencer Wilkipson's Views.
LONDON, Feb. 2l-Spencer Wilkinson,
reviewing the military situation In the
Morning Post. today says: The meaning
of the position in Natal Is that the Beers
have sent the bulk of their forces 10 re-
sist Lord Roberts. Gen. Buffers aim is
To Join Sir George White and then either
10 push on to Laings mex or to send back
two divisions to reinforce Lord Roberts.
retaining two In Natal TO complete the re-
covery of the northern triangle"
MafekinE Living Uader Ground.
LONDON. Feb FLA dispatch 10 the
Daily Natl from Mafeklng. dated Friday.
February 9. says:
AN business here Is being conducted
underground. The resident commissioner
has sumptuous apartments IN subter-
ranean bomb proof The Cape police have
a large hall. with piano The Mafeking
hotel dining room seats forty. All these
have been dug out and are impervious to