Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-01-18


ton and Scores the Ministers-
Prospect of a Quarrel Between
London, Jan. 12.-During the inter.
luue OF apparent military inactivity
ana Official secrecy Lord Roberts and
Lord Kitchener have arrived at the
seat OF war. 1t is assumed that their
clear vision, supported by 10000 fresh
men who are due to arrive in South
Africa within thirty days will alter the
situation and the fourth month Of the
campaign. will witness the beginning
of victories for the British arms.
They are not however, expected to
produce definite results for some days,
put their mere presence will restore
the shaken confidence of the men at
the front in their generals Lord Rob-
erts will find 100000 men on the de-
fensive OF watching for an opening.
Lord Methuen's health, according to
the Daily Mail, has broken down, and
the field marshal may relieve him.
Possibly some others will be relieved
of Important commands. There is an
uneasy suspicion that when the Lady
smith casualties are announced they
will be disheartening and will partially
destroy the glow caused by Gen.
Whites victory" The Standard sum-
marizes the general situation thus:
"Well, the campaign has lasted three
months. We have something like 120,-
600 troops in South Africa. With this
huge army distributed over the coun-
try we. are still powerless to relieve
three garrisons from investment. We
have still to see large portions of both
colonies in the hands Of the enemy.
We have driven the invaders back at
no single point. We are actually fur
we We're on the day that the ultimatum
was delivered. The work which min
listers believed could be effectually per-
formed with $4,000 men has not been
done, not even begun, by four or five
tines that amount. To admit this is a
grave miScalculation Of facts and
forces.''
The war office has authorized a spe-
cial yeomanry corps. Every trooper
joining will pay for his own kit and
mount, for transport and for all other
expenses until his arrival in South At
RIGA, and will then give his services to
his country and pay for the privilege
into the fund for widows and orphans
the amount he would receive as a
trooper.
The Times in an editorial criticising
at great length the governments con-
duct Of the war alludes to the 'sstupid
and pervers mistakes" that have been
made and demand "that the policy of
non-reyelation of facts be abandoned"
1t insists strongly upon knowing the
''truth and the whole truth about the
situation" and finds fault with MI.
Balfo,,r's dense piece-meal.
Kruger Plays a Trick ON Free
Staters.
London, Jan. IL. : The Standard has
received the following, dated Jan. 8,
from it's special correspondent at
Frere Camp: 81 hear on good authori-
ty that President Kruger sent word to
the BOer headquarters asking why
Ladysmith had not been attacked, and
that the reply was: we should lose
too many men, His answer to this
excuse was the suggestion that the
Free Staters might be put in the fore
ground. This hint was taken and the
attack delivered. President Kruger's
advice was so far good that the Free
Skaters behaved better than the Trans
walters have done. At all events they
managed to seize hill. Later in the
day the Transvaalers retired before
Gen. Whites counter attack amid jeers
from the Free Staters, who actually
stuck to their position until they were
bayonetted in the ditch. After this
affair it is almost certain that the allies
will quarrel. A heavy gun mounted on
I'll E,r,r CIV
daybreak. Evidently the siege Of
Iadysmith is still maintained"
Firing Renewed at Ladysmith.
London, Jan. PA dispatch to the
Daily Telegraph, dated Jan. 8 at noon,
from Frere Camp, says: Firing from
the Boer positions around Ladysmith
began early to-day. 1t still continues,
but the cannonading is light and ir-
regular.
Result of Boer Successes.
London, Jan. -. - The Cape Town
correspondent of the Daily Mail tele-
graphing Monday, says: The Boer
successes have been followed by ire
mendous outburst of enthusiasm and
Boer sympathy in the wastern part of
the colony. Reports from Paarl say
the whole district is made hideous at
IlgHI ny pduuS VI young 4en pdIsiu1A6
In the villages and singing the Trans
vaal volksleid, while the children are
everywhere practicing the national
songs Of the Beers. The following are
samples of statements believed by the
Western Dutch: "Buller and Rhodes
are prisoners and 1.-TWO thousand
Beers secretly sailed and captured
Cape Town"
spaniards Would Fight for Eng
land.
London, Jan. 1.-THE Gibraltar cor
respondent of the Daily Telegraph
saws: Three thousand time-expired
Spanish soldiers from the Cuban war
have offered their services TO Great
Britain in South Africa. The governor
here has informed their agent that he
is not authorized to enlist foreigners.
Alarm Concerning Afghanistan. Isl