New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-12-20
MORE MEN FOR KITCHENER
RUMOR THAT HEAVY REINFORCEMENTS
HAVE BEEN ASKED FOR.
LORD EDWARD CECIL's RETURN TO ENG
LAND-HOLIDAY PLAYS on THE STAGE.

LAND-HOLlDAA PLAYS On The oAAuE"
copyright: 1900: BY The New-York Tribunel
IBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNEl
London. Dec 20. a m.-There are persistent
rurnors that General Kitchener has asked for
large reinforcements of mounted men. Various
figures ranging from twenty thousand to forty
thousand men, are named but the War Office
&c silent and the reports not credited by
military men. No action in the direction Of
strengthening the army in South Africa is prob
able until Lord Roberts's return. II reinforce
ments are sent it is not believed that they will
exceed ten thousand men, A picked body of
mounted infantry already IS under orders to
sail early in January. but it will Lot outrun one
thousand men. The supply Of horses is reported
to be scant in South Africa. Some experts con-
slider that there are men enough already in the
field and that the proper course will be 70 send
horses by thousands and put in the saddle the
infantry now suffering from inaction and weari-
ness of camp routine Attempts on the part OF
press agencies to magnify the services OF
mounted infantry under Clements and explain
away the recent reverse are not convincing
The structures of veteran officers here upon the
management Of the British forces in that en-
gagement are most severe.
Lord Kitchener maintains silence with respect
10 the invasion Of Cape Colony, and there is
hound TO be considerable anxiety until the truth
is known It is difficult TO believe that the Beers
who crossed the Orange River be in sufficient
numbers TO frighten the War Ofhce authorizes
or TO cause General Kitchener much annoyance.
One OF the commandoes is, however. reported
to be in the neighborhood Of Alwal North whlch
is about the worst centre Of disaffection IN the
whole colony. The invading Beers are probably
receiving considerable assistance from the local
rntcb and in case of a general rising the troops
at the disposal Of the British authorities would
not be sufficient TO cope with the situation.
which private advices depict as somewhat
/ ominous.
| Delarey seems disposed TO follow UP his sue
| cess at Nooitgedacht. Hitherto the Boer gen
erals have been content TO rest on their oars
after victory, but Delarey if he intended prof
iting by his defeat Of General Clements. should
not have given the latter time TO be Joined by
/ General French. AS was generally expected
the losses Of the Northumberland Fusiliers at
! Nooitgedacht a week ago were much heavier
/ than official accounts at first reported NO
fewer than seventy-eight Of the rank and ME OF
the regiment were killed wounded. and there
are still forty-four missing TO be accounted for
Owing TO the altered arrangements for LORD
Roberts's return and the short route in Lon
don which the Field Marshal Will cover IN his
drive TO Buckingham Palace. it is feared by a
! good many people that the crush will be very
! great The authorities are, however, determined
/ 10 prevent repetition of the scandalous scenes
which marked the return OF the City volunteers
Society gossip now proposes to reward Lord
Roberts with earldom and 10000
Lord Edward Cecil. who shared with Bad~n-
Powell the privations Of the siege Of Mafeking.
has returned to England in time TO spend
! Christmas al Hatfield. His wife, the daughter
/ Of the late Admiral Make. welcomed him at
| Southampton. TIE gallant major regards his
visit as a short furlough- and expects to return
| speedily 10 South Africa.
St Paurs was we'll filed yesterday at the
| service in memory Of the soldiers and sailors
who have fallen during the war. The LORD
Mayor and SheriRs attended in State and there
were files of Coldstreams and Blues. with full
| military band. Lord Wolseley and Mr.. Brodrick
| represented Headquarters and the War once
The service was impressive with funeral marches
and dirges by Beethoven, Wagner and Chopin
The Benson Company opened its second
! Shakespearian season in London last night with
the production Of Merry Wives Of Windsor
The actor-manager. Mr.. Benson, was content
with the minor part of DR.. CaiIs, and left his
best comedian. George Weir free 10 disport him
self as Falstaff Mr.. Weir has a characteristic
| humorous talent, quite unlike the method or any
other English comedian. His FalstaH is not per
haps as original and bracing as his impersona-
ton OF Nick Bottom, but it is ingenious IN
byplay and Illuminated with true comic spirit
Mrs. Benson Mistress Ford was at her
best and well supported by the young
American actress Elsie Chester, as Mistress
Page. Oscar Asche excellent as Pistol
while as Shallow and Slender, Alfred Brydone
and Lyan Swete were well suited TO their parts.
The Benson Company's chief merit is symmetry
and all around excellence Of its work no minor
part being sacrificed. and the staging and cos
tunes being managed with good taste. The
racy old comedy went we'll. and was not played
down 20 the level of broad farce
There was a holiday medley Of bright and in
teresting events yesterday. Ealine Terriss
made her bow as Alice I'm Wonderland at vaude-
VILE and musical dream play. based upon
Lewis CarroI's stories, pleased graybeards and
children alike, especially there were full
glimpses Of Seymour Hicks as the mad halter.
Mr. Labouci.eres well dressed dolls held their
annual reception at Albert Hall. and there were
Christmas frocs at Kings Hall. Holborn for
the benefit OF the Society for the Prevention OF
Cruelty TO Children. The Elizabethan Club also
TO WASHINGTON IN FIVE HOURS
From New York. Royal Blue 5-hour trains leave
foot Of Liberty 81 li-SO A. M. 90 p NJ, and the