Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-03-09

~ ~ 'i'tli, Sne reached the Metropolis
shortly after noon. Until she reached
buckingham Palace there was never
u moment of quiet. Cheers spreud along
icr route Ike prairie fire. Such crowds
were never seen in London even on
1uDiiee Day. Whenever n soldier or Il
sailor appeared he was almost mobbcd,
so anxious was the ropulacc to show
Its patriotism
INC scene in the quadrangle of the
palace after the Queens arrival, when
Lords and Commoners Joined in sing
ihG the national anthem, was unprece-
dented. and VIII probably never be re-
peated during the present reign.
After scarcely three hours of rest.
Her Majesty made Il tour of the city
proper amid the greatest enthusiasm.
The crowds numbered we'll up in the
hundreds Of thousands. -
The Queen was welcomed by the Lord
Mayor and Corporation in the robAs OF
state. The Lord Mayor presented Her
Majesty with the city sword of State.
Tonight 800. 900 people g&hered out
side Buckingham Palace. burned col
ored fires and sang Rule Britannia
and God Save the Queen" The APP
pcarance of the Queen on the balcony
was the signal for the national anthem
IA perfect roar OF song-and for never
to be forgotten cheers Then the blinds
of the palace were drawn. but thou-
sands remained TO sing and cheer.
SITUATION AT MAFEkING.
Mafeking. February 19.-IIorsp meat
now composes IL considerable part OF
our rations. There is little grumbing.
The first pinch of the siege is over
ana the town has settled grimly TO
stick IL out. W1Iut may be ty-Tnod
malaria has broken out in the wolnen's
lnagcr. and dysentary, due to the alb
sence OF vegetables. is rife among the
garrison. We are thrown upon our re-
x+.t l,..- Il.
exhausted Or have been communicated
for the hospitals, which arc filed to
overlooking. The children's graveyard,
close to the womenS laagcr, grows
weekly as the young lives are cut
short prematurqy by shell and fever.
We look with hone deferred for re-
lief.
The checrfulness which was charac-
tcristlc OF the early days OF the siege
has almost deserted us, the men pre-
fcrring to remain nj their posts rather
than move about and work up an APP
petite which cannot be satisfied. The
natives are in the worst plight. Those
who are unable to obtain work are
allowed Il small handful of meat daily.
Many Drawing the danger wander about
the town, with Gaunt and hungry faces
in search of work which entities them
to an extra ration or meat. IF they
find work they are generally too weak
to perform i'll.
From their advanced posts The Bocrs
rake the streets and the market square.
II is impossible TO dodge their bullets
We have taken remarkable prccaution
however. and the casualties. though
heavy. arc not what they might have
been had less able men been ut the head
Of affairs.
Even The headquarters mess fares
scantily Like saints under the altar
we cry. "FTow long. oh Lord. how long"
Two hundred aud nnety-two persons
have been killed. wounded or died Of
disease. The garrison is so small that
il would he criminal to make its weak
ness public, but there is never so much
as Il whisper. If no one has suggested
the possibility of surrender It is be
cause VIC do not mean to get beaten,
and we arc cheerfully enduring the
hardshipS of to-day rather than make
surrender in any degree possible to-
morrow.
COUNCIL OF WAR
Eocr Carr. Riggarsberg. March 81
At gene II council OF war, held to-
day. Louis lSotha was appointed lieu
tenant-Ecnerai for Natal and I.ukas
Niger. Scalkbcrger David Joubcrt, Dam
III -ffottric-,vc-r.r1,~
pointed major-generals.
The selections have given lively salts
faction 10 the Burghcrs
Pretoria. March 5.-Secretary of State
I,c!tz has issued war bulletins in which
alter saying the government has no
official tdings Of the surrender Of
General cronjc, but must accept it as
Il iaci. however painful, he adds:
Ihc government remains assured
that tho surrender will not discourage
The Burghers in their defence OF their
independence and standing as n nation
The struggle thus far has shown the
republics have vindicatcd themselves as
an indcpendent people. This reverse
VIII NOT stagGer us In the struggle for
our cherished rights our belief remains
lhat. Whatever happens. the Lord still
regns '''
owing TO the invasion OF the Free
state by a large force of the enemy,
ana other circumstances it becnm,a
necessary TO take uD other positions.
hence the Burghers in Natal have re-,
tired to Biggarsberg. All the com
mandoes have reached there safely
except Il few, who retired in the direc,
ton Of Van Reenen's Pass Thus
ladysmith and Kimberley are no moro
besieged. In retiring. The enemy was
time after time driven back, so that
our hangers were not cut off. In these
fights II few men were killed or wound
ed, and the enemy lost heavily.
IN spite of all reports. the spirit
OF the fighting men as to the outcome
remains unchanged. Among the com
mandoes in Natal the Burghers arc fun
of courage.
General newet now commands all
the commanders at the Modder river
The Presiden; started yesterday
evening for Bloemfontcin. to visit the
LANCER OF the Froc State"
1t is understood that President Kru-
gers visit to Bloemfonten was to try
10 arrange a compromise of tho differ
ences Between the Traasvaalers and
Free Statcrs.