The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-02-13
100000 MEN THEY WANT NOW.
England Preparing to Become Vast
Military Camp.

London. Feb. 12.-In a notable speech
i'll the House of Commons today Parlia-
mentary Secretary Wyndham. Of the
War Office. said the Government pro-
posed to have soon at least 900 men.
and possibly 100000 by expanding the
existing cavalry by seven regiments and
offering commissions to militia officers.
the colonies and universities The whole
militia was to be embodied and coast
towns garrisoned. Lord Lansdowne eX-
planned similar plans to the House of
Lords.
NO ORDER TO WITHDRAW.
London. Feb 12.-In the House of
Commons today Mr.. A. j. Balfour, First
Lord of the Treasury and Government
leader, denied the statement recently pub
lishea that Sir Edmund j. Monsoon. the
British Ambassador to France, has been
temporarily ordered to withdraw from
Paris, owing to the offensive attitude of
the French press with regard to the war
in South Africa.
Lord Lansdowne. in the House or
Lords, said there were about 100000
reservists. between the age of - and III.
who had served with the colors. whom
the Government proposed to ask to join
the army for Il year for home service
only.
ROBERTS AT MODDER RIVER.
London, Feb. 12-In the House of
Lords today replying to a question as to
whether Major General Sir Frederick
Darlington was destined for a command
in South Africa and whether General
Methuen was still in command ut the
Modder River. Lord Landsdowlle. the
Secretary of State for War, answered
that portion of the query referring to
General Darlington in the affirmative and
added:
General Roberts is now at the Modder
River and in command of the whole
forces there.
CONFIDENCE IN ROBERTS.
London. Feb. 12-C;reat Britain re-
mains waiting anxiously to learn which
side will succeed in striking first. The
i widespread belief that the hands Of Field
Marshal Lord Roberts and General
Kitchener are now firmly gripped at the
, helm contributes to Il feeling of lnCre
confidence that whatever happens. The
camI3aign will now be waged under
careful, comprehensive plans, i'll which all
the forces will cooperate. Both sides
seem to he collecting themselves for at
tack The left horn of the Boer army Is
creeping through Iululand and threaten
ing the British right and ut Cheyeley
General .Ioubert with six thousand men
is reported to be endeavoring to attack
General Butler. Boer aggressiyeness has
already developed and has met with a re-
pulse ut Rensburg while from what now
becomes the most important point of
the campaign the Modder River. GENES
the news of ceaseless activity and rt-
doubled vigilance These reports create
hcpefulness in Great Britain rather than
anxiety. for the impression exists that the
Roer aggressiveness will give the British
troops their long yearned for opportunity
and tend greatly to assist the broad plan
of campaign which Lord Roberts may
shortly be expected to set in motion at
the Modder River Meanwhile, Lady
Nsmith must await the eXigencieS attend
amt upon the more important military
movements now ON foot. 1t is said POST
lively that General MacDonald's with
drawal from Koodoosburg wds ordered
by General Methuen. under Lord
Roberts instruction.
TO BAR OUT THE BR1TISH.
/ London. Feb 13.-The Pietermarilz-
burg correspondent of the DAILY Man,
telegraphing yesterday. says:
| "A dispatch from Eshowe asserts that
large commando of Beers Is encamped
near Ngutu with eighty wagons alld
nine guns. 1t is rumored that this force
intends To besiege Eshowe. the intention
probably being to fortify the lnsuzl Hiiis
in order to prevent the British traversina
Zuluand to relieve Ladysmith.
| A HEAVY BOMBARDMENT
Kimberley Friday Feb. 9.--Inere was
. beayv bombardneId yesterday and to-
day The fire of the Boer big gun al
Ka,nnersdam has been very trying.