The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-01-31
NO CHANGE
in The WAR
SITUATION
Collision Between British and Beers
at Crocodile PoOl-pritish Driven
From Position.
FRENCH AT BASTARDS MEX.
Attacked Beers, but was Obliged to
Retire by 4Oer Rein
forcsmeuts.

LONDON, Jan. 81. Z a. m.--1t IS not
known that the cabinet devoted much
OF its discussions on Saturday to the
mobilization Of the Heet. Nothing was
settled except that. until further secur-
lty to the home coasts has been obtains
ed by naval preparations, the eighth
division shall not be sent to South Afri-
ca.
ION Monday the admiralty issued or
ders that the channel squadron, instead
of leaving Portland this week for GLIB
raltar as previously directed, shall as
semble on February s, on EddystOne,
and proceed to Bantry for tortnights
exercises of the Irish coast. thus keep
ing in home waters for a time.
This decision to delay the eighth di-
vision at a time when reinforcements
are SO urgently required may mean only
that transports are not yet available
and that the division will embark when
the shipping is ready.
The mobilization of reserve warships,
if such a course shalt ue determined
upon, would be OF the utmost import
ance. There Is nothing in the intelli-
gence possessed by the public to cause
the cabinets prolonged discussion Of
this matter. and the inference Is that
the fleet may be mobllized as general
warning 10 other countries to keep their
hands on the Transvaai question, Of
the ministry may have definite knowl-
edge that the neutral powers purpose to
take some advantage elsewhere while
England is busy in South Africa. one
thing is certain. Ten thousand men. all
ready to go to South Africa are detain-
ed for reasons os which the public has
no knowledge.
There is talk OF forty-seven militia
battalIons being embodied. These are
all Of the militia not previously warn;
ed A sharp lookout is being kept on
volunteers for the various South Afri-
can regiments.
The Daily Chronicle says:
"Three suspicious characters were re-
jected by headquarters in one regiment
Monday. Two were unmistakably OF
Boer origin. The third, whose English
was faulty. had been German ofiicer.
Such scraps of Information as can be
gathered regarding the movements Of
the armies IN the field seem to indicate
that the relief OF LadysmIth has been
abandoned for the present and that
concentration OF the British for an in
vasIon OF the Free State is in progress,
In addition to General KelIy-Kenny's
movement, General Brabant, chief of
the Cape colonlals, has arrived at
sterkstroom.
The natives report that three Boer
guns have been removed from spytfon.
tein to Kimberley The Beers are APP
parentIy making special effort to re-
duee the place quickly. The Kimberley
garrison was safe last Sunday.
LONDON. Jan. 80 tT:os p. MA
dispatch has been received from Lord
Roberts dated to-day. saying there Is
no change in the situation In South At
rica.
LouRENzo MARQUES, Monday,
Jan. 29.-speclal dispatches from Pre-
toria, dated Thursday Jan. 25, report
that collision occurred at Crocodile
Pool between Boer outposts and the
British, who were in overwhelming
force.
The Burghers at first retired. but ON
being reinforced drove the British from
their position. The Beers had two
wounded.
RENsBURG. Cape Colony, Friday.
Jan. 2s.-Geu. French reconnoltered
yesterday beyond 8astards Mex with
a force of hussars, Innls-Eilllngs, four
guns of the royal artillery, mounted In
fantry, the Yorkshire, wlltshlre and
portion of the Essex regiments.
Turning to the northeast he ap-l
preached the Boer position al hletiohs
teln, nine miles beyond cOlesburE, on
the wagon bbdge road, which the en-
emy have been fortltyIng with a view
OF falling back when they evaeuate
Colesberg,
Cautiously approaching, Gen. French
shened III. enemy, who replied with
artillery and infantry fre.
The British. who were well protected.
suffered vary little. An officer and nine
men were wounded, ono OF the latter Of
whom has since died, and three men
are missing. As the Beers were found
in great sorce. confirming the reported
reinforcement, and In 4 strong position.
Gen. French discontinued the attack
- ,nV,at,