New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-03
WAR RUNORS IN LONDON.
PUBLIC FEELING MORE BUOYANT SINCE
THE SHOWING OF BRITISH
STRENGTH.
Copyright: 1900: by The New-York Trfbune.I
BY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE

tBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNEl
London, Feb. g. a. m.-The air was filled
with rumors yesterday both here and at Cape
Town. General Roberts was reported to have
called upon the War Office for ninety thousand
additional reinforcements. and General Butler
was again represented as crossing the Tugela
and engaging the enemy. General French
credited with having won a decisive victory after
q weeks patient mannuvring, and with captur-
ing eight hundred prisoners and General Tucker
was reported TO have succeeded General Meth
uen, under instructions to take speedy and ef
fective measures for the relief Of Kimberley.
This sheaf OF run1ers had little effect upon the
stock market, because the War Office, which is
the only source of trustworthy news failed to
confirm any Of these stories. There a more
buoyant feeling both in the street and in Par
lament and the reaction against the depression
was even more marked than the preceding
day.
There were signs that General Butler was pre-
pairing to resume operations for the relief of
Ladysmith. if he had not already set his
hrigades in motion. Spearman's Camp remained
Buffers headquarters as late yesterday, and
there retirement to Camp Frere Lord
Dundonald was reconnoitrng and the naval
guns We're still in position on Mount Alice. Gen
eral Buffers army had not lost sight of Lady
smith as its first objective point, been
There were not many splinters of news from
any quarter yesterday, but General Kitcheners
hand was on the censorship, and that explained
the lack of public information. Much work is in
progress on the southern frontier Of the Free
State but the details are kept of sight until
large results be reported. That is the i'm
preston made by such dispatches as are allowed
10 come through from Sterkstroom and Frenchs
camp near Colesberg.
The wholesome effect OF Mr.. Wyndham's re-
rnarkable speech in explanation Of the War
Offices work was apparent in the Commons and
in the press yesterday. The Unionists spoke
with increased confidence, since they could refer
10 the unique record Of the War Office in raising
ana dispatching 10000 troops for foreign ser
vice at remote distance, and the Liberals ad-
mitteo that the Government was free from the
reproach or incapacity in the management Of
administrative details Of the campaign. The
black press has persisted for weeks in exagger-
atins the resources Of the Dutch and minimiz-
ing the British strength whereas the Boer army
has already passed its maximum point and is
declining and wearing away, while the British
reinforcements are steadily arriving The truth
Is now known that the British force is more
than double that of the Dutch, and superior to
il in number of guns Public opinion has been
greatly invigorated by this practical evidence Of
'he eniciency of the mobilization scheme and
the energy of the administrative services
ne most sensational episode of last nights
ueoa'e IN the Commons was Sir Edward Clarke's
proposal that Lord Salisbury should take charge
OF the Colonial Office, and that Lord Roseberv
should be sent to the Cape as substitute for
Sir Alfred Miner. 1t was received with ieers
by the Ministerial party. and the Irish members
hardly knew whether to express approvaI or
condemnation, for Lord Rosebery is not their
candidate for any office, angry as they NAV be
WIN MI Chamberlain. The Colonial Secretary
mas Deeh baited every day since the session
opened, and his speech after that of Sir William
Harcourt viii be made with his hack N ,h
wall in his best fighting spirit IN z