Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-01-12
(By Telegraph to virginian-Pilot.)

(By Telegraph to Virginian- Plot)
London. Jan. 12.-4 n. m.-Lee- Met
ford cartridges are running short in
the British magazines, and, according
to semi-of1lcial report. the War Office
purposes to fall back temporarily upon
1oooOoooo MARK w" expanding bull
lets, most of which are already in
storage In South Africa.
The War Office. however, has issued
a strict order to the volunteers that
the fifty rounds of Mark W." given
them must be used in practice at home,
none being taken to South Africa
After the public announcement that
no such bullet would be used in this
war. its employment, the Daily Chron-
icle thinks, would be q serious breach
OF faith, especially as the British COM
manders have complained that the
Beers occasionally Use such projectiles.
RIGID CENSORSHIP.
The newspapers We're reconciled dur
ing the early days OF the war to cable
censorship, taking 1t for granted that
full narratives sent by mail would sup
ply all deficiencies. For some weeks.
however, even the mail correspondence
that has arrived in London has shown
signs of habItual scissorlng by the CEN
sor. Pages are remembered without
chronological or logical connection,
leaving the happenings described quite
unintelligble in many cases. The edi-
tors. acting possibly in concert. are lay
ing these facts before the public and in
sisting that they be permitted to know
and to print the facts.
The Daily Mail formally accuses the
War Office of "doctoring" in editing Of
cial dispatches before their issuance,
and cites particulars. The Daily Chron-
icle AYERS that there seems to be an
official conspiracy against letting the
truth be known.
Although the number of deaths from
dysentery and enteric fever at Lady
smith have published by the War Office
since Saturdays fight nothing has been
given out regarding the losses in the
engagement. The War Office asserts
that it has nothing to give out.
ARM CHAIR CRITICS.
Armchair critics, who, in the absence
of repotorial or official descriptions
from the seat of war, pour forth pages
OF conjecture and opinion. conclude
that not much is to be expected of the
British hosts in South Africa until Lord
Roberts shall have had plenty OF time
TO think and fresh levies shall have
arrived. Time is working now for the
Roers. Each day makes more difficult
the three belenguered positions.
Although the War Office declines to
confirm the report that Lord Methucn
has been recalled to England INQUIRIES
made by correspondent at Methuen's
home in Wiltshire have elected the in
formation that when he received his
wound his horse threw him heavily and
spinal and other injuries supervened.
SEIZURE OF GERMAN SHIP.
The theory is now advanced that the
seizures of the German mail steamers
Herzog and General. since released,
were made on purposely misleading in
formation supplied to British agents,
the design being to embroil Great Bri-
tain and Germany In quarrel.
ENFORCED INACTION.
London, Jan. 11.-With the growing
impaticnce over the Transvaal situa-
ton stories are rife that inaction is en-
forced on General Butler owing to the
exhaustion OF the reserves of ammuni-
ton. and there are even wild rumors
of shell famine at home. But not
much Importance need be attached to
these rumors. 1t Is almost universally
assumed that with the landing of Gen
erals Roberts and Kitchener a prompt
return will be made to the original plan
OF campaign. namely, a great central
advance on Bloemfontein But the
most impatient of the enthusiasts adj
NIT that General Roberts will be I'M
able to move before the end of the
month.
BRITISH LOSSES SATURDAY.
London, Jan. 12.-The Daily Mail
says:
I'VE learn that in the attack on
Ladysmith last Saturday. January 9Th,
the British losses were II officers killed.
81 wounded and over 800 nom commits
stoned officers and men killed or
wounded.
1.-THE Boer losses. we hear are esti-
mated at between 1000 and 5000"
LORD METHUEN.
Chicago, Jan. IA special cable to
the Chicago Tribune from London
says:
Northumberland Lord Methuen
commanding the column advancing to