Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-02-08
LITTLE DIRECT NEWS IN
Main Beleaguered Garrison Reported
Well Observation-Disclosures Caus-
tic Over Report That British Sub
Ject Was Shot For Refusing to
Fight With the Beers.

''4e ouos SLIeHS stitching lQOSe IN IRON
Of their position.
British Mind Changing.
copyrighted by Associated Press.)
London, Feb. 4.-TO say that the
nation stood appalled, at the tone OF
the earlier speeches of the official lead
ers of both parties in parliament does
not go beyond the truth. Since then,
however, has come relief from most
unexpected quarters. The situation
has been distinctly cleared and the
country has now grounds for hope that
the cabinet means to act and not talk.
and is thinking of the work ahead
rather than of self-exculpation.
Thanks, first to George Wyndham, I'M
der secretary of state for the war
office, then Geo. j. Goschen, first lord
of the admiralty, much of the gloom
has been dispelled and the nation is
able to feel more comfortable on an
essential point, that the deficiencies of
organization have been fully recog-
nized, and is determined to remedy
them. Wyndham and Goschen proved
themselves in touch with national
opinion and as Goschen proceeded, al
most directly from the cabinet meet
Ing to the house of commons, the
country believes it is entitled to accept
the resolute tones in which he spoke as
token that the ministers at length
appreciate Alright the situation as it
nov affects government and country.
Wyndham's speech immensely en-
HANGED his parliamentary reputation
and chances of attaining full minister
ial rank. The Standard among it's
death notices yesterday prints: Nc
Lachlan, on Christmas day, shot in
market square, Harrismith, Orange
Free State, south Africa, for refusing
to fight against his country men. John
j., aged thirty, eldest son
of John McLachlan of Wandsworth,
grandson of late John McLachlans of
The Spectator, comment
ing on the above, says, if the state
ment contained in the notice is true the
whole English speaking world should
ring with denunciations of a crime so
should Americans speak out on such
matters, for they showed the true way
in their treatment of technical rebels
and set an example to mankind The
story that Mrs. Joubert is with Gen.
Joubert at the front personally provid-
those who know something of that en-
ergetic woman. She went with him
often in campaigns against the ma
tives. A dispatch has been received
from Lady Randolph Churchill who is
on board the American hospital ship
Maine, at Durham, saying the vessel
will be stationed there for the present
The Maine is filing with wounded
men, including numbers from the bat
tie at Spion kop.
Says British Murder.
London, Feb. 4-The papers publ sh
extracts from a remarkable document
emanating from the Office of the secre-
tary of state at Pretoria, Dec. 16. The
document comprises 10000 words,
countersigned by Secretary of State
Reitz. 1t says: 1--WE to great ex-
tent depend upon American and
Europe for foodstuffs. 1t would be
criminal on the part of the great
powers to suffer this little nation to
perish by famine since the sword has
failed. Since, in 1870, the president of
the United States acknowledged our
republic as sovereign state, Ameri
cans have flOcked here in numbers
In every Instance the hand of fellow
ship has been extended to them. Not
a single case of disagreement is on
record, but with the first war note of
the OppressOr we were informed that
America is acting in league with the
enemy. If our sister republic has no
sympathy with us; if the boasted con-
descension of the British is to be pre-
ferred to sincerity and truth, we will
no longer believe in the justice and in
tegrity of the American nation, and
her profession of Christianity we will
consider an empty sound" Secretary
Reitz further says the beers have new
er abused the white flag, and the Brit
ish have murdered women, children
and American subjects at Derdepoort
Ladysmith Well Provisioned.
Durham, Feb. A gentleman who
left Ladysmith after the news Of the
retirement of the British from Spion
kop had become known there, succeed
ed, with the aid Of Kaffirs, in reaching
Estcourt. He says the garrison, on
the whole, is very quiet and hopeful;
that provisions are ample to last for
a considerable time and that fresh
meat is served out daily.
Movements of British.
Berlin, Feb. A special telegram
from the seat of war, via Brussels,
says Gen. Joubert has received intelli-
gence of the movement by the British
in the direction of Honger's Spruit.
Nothing From Front.
London, Feb. Am official of the
war Office stated at midnight that no
news had been received from south
Africa, and that none would be given
out during the night.
Beers Destroy Railroads.
Aodder River, Feb. 4.-The beers
are busy destroying the railroad be-
tween here and Langeburg, from a
point 1000 wards from the British ad-