Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-12-28
say DENEI IS CIUGRI
Persistent. But Uncontirmed, Ru-
NOR That the Boer General
Has Been Caught.
War Office Scandals Likely to
Be Thoroughly Aired in
Britain.
General Colville's Case Likely
TO Stir Up Other Unsav-
ory Blunders.

London, Dec. 2s.-Persistent reports
are In circulation in London that Gen.
Dcwet has been captured. The British
Chartered South African Company re-
ceived this information from source
in which it is accustomed to place inl-
plicit confidence. The war Office, how
ever, is without any confirmation OF the
r.port.
London, Dec. Is. England and her
arnay have been shaken from topto bot
tom by the news that the war office has
demanded the resignation of Maj. Gen.
Colville The shock that came With this
announcement had not passed away
when another came with the statement
tnat he had defied the war office and
absolutely and Internationally refused
to resign.
His friends promise some remarkable
disclosures from him when he reaches
here and is able to answer the numerous
charges against him. His enemies de-
care that he Will be only too willing TO
hand in his command Without comment
when he sees What the status of the
matter really is.
The affair at Lindley, which is the is.
sue in the ColvilleA case, MAS one OF the
nundred or SO of the minor disasters OF
the war. There We're nine officers and
eighteen men killed and forty three men
and eight officers wounded. Colsille was
tco late to move to5the relief OF the yeo-
ranry, and charges We're made that he
had refused to start, even when he Was
aware that in order that the day might
be saved 1t was necessary for him 70
make march OF a few miles in quick
time.
While Colville was not directly
charged with cowardice, the inference
was made plain enough ard he Vas in
vestigated, a withdrawing was given
him. and Wolseley and Lansdowne saw
to 1t that he was restored to his com
rrand and allowed to go back to Gibral-
tar.
Stories have reached England that
Colville had been very imprudent in
some OF his speeches he has made at
Gibraltar. besides having been very free
in his boasts that none dared discipline
him He is even more defiant than ever
row. He is known to be headstrong
and his exceedingly stubborn mature will
prompt him to force a fight, the outcoms
OF which will necessarily be to his un-
doing. as the new war office is compeled
70 make good its promises of reform and
reconstruction Of the British army.
TO reopen a closed case of this kind
is 80 rare that few can recall anything
like it in spiteof the many inNestiga-
tions when have been made by the Wal
department since Balalslava 1t sug-
gests the most portentouS change II
policy and SHOWS how completely Lord:
Wolseley and I4ansloWne are diseredit-
ed.
It also indicates that William St.sJohr
Brodrick, the new secretary of state fol
war. altho appointed by Lord Salisbury
10 determined that the influence of thi
Wolseley crowd shall not remain ever
in affairs which have already pa sssed
into history.
More than all this. 1t promises NOR
tifying ventilation of numerous otfe
scandals connected with the Boeii wa
and an exposure of what is believed I,
have been a foul nest of favoritism, i
not corruption. in the old war Office.
In thisSconnection the future Of Bule
10 causing no end of speculation. Fo
alleged egregious biunders and appar
emily inexcusable errors Of judgmen
this general Is blamed more than an.
other who had a part in the war II
M ~ SISuIcu Will HdNiuS fSIllleu illoF
blood than any other commander Of hi
time His path thru South Africa /
marked with graves and his enemie
say more splendid lives We're sacrifice
for nothing by his mistakes than by al
other blunders Of the campaign.
AT any tire there may COME a day 0
reckoning for him Indeed, 1t s nos
among the probabilities that the Col
Vile tnciden, may pave the Way in on
direction or another for 4 step whic
may result IN his bitter humiliation. Tn
radical stand taken In the Colyille cas-
is readily understood TO mean that IL
mercy will be shown
IT is clearly seen that above nj. tn
reign Of the N'olseley gang is over i
the war office, and that Britain s. arm
will soon be placed on the feoiirg
should have had long before ii wa
asked to pay the terrible price require
of it in the Beer campaign.
TIE SEARCH FOR GROVE.
Detectives Confident That lie Is 4