Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-01-08

But Little Cnango.
London, Jan. 3.-Although the con-
tinuance of minor successes gratifies the
British public it is not forgotten that
the larger aspects of the campaign are
unchanged AS the Daily News re
marks cit is a day of small mercies. :"
The importance of both Gen. French's
and Col. Pitchers victories lies in the
effect they are likely to have upon the
colonial Dutch. The latest dispatch
from Douglass confirms earlier reports
that the boer laagers consisted chiefly
of British subjects who, on the arrival
of small Free State commando, throw
in their lot with the beers, thus terror
izing the loyalists who are now jubi-
liant. A Capetown dispatch reports
that rebels in the Berkeley district are
demoralized by the British occupation
of Dordrecht. The Standard remarks:
Until the Tugela has been crossed and
Ladysmith relieved, it would be idle to
deny that the political position in Cape
Colony is one of very great danger, and
if, unhappily, Gen. Butler should be de-
feated, it would be necessary to dis
patch 100000 additional men to keep
the Dutch in order" Winston Church
ilI's estimate that a quarter million
men will be required to defeat the
forces of the two republics has been
ridiculed in many quarters but as a
matter of fact this number\is already
almost reported without the extra 1907
900 men. Thirty thousand are now
afloat or ready to embark. Military
observers, in view of what these figures
mean, cannot see how the British can
fail to crush the beers by mere force of
numbers.
To Make Big Expenditures.
London, Jan. 3.-The Daily Mail
makes the following statement this
morning: 1--WE understand the de-
tense of the empire, particularly with
regard to artillery, will shortly call for
the expenditure of 100000 pounds to
make good deficiencies and place the
nation on par with the other great
powers. New equipment will be pro-
vided as speedily as possible and while
sufficiently mobile for use in the field,
it is intended to be adaptable to the
necessities of what are known as guns
OF position"
Butler Again Ready.
London, Jan. 3.-News from Frere
camp, is that the weather is fine. The
Tugela river is now forbade. Gen.
Buffers army in fine form and ready
and confident Tor the work before it.
Amenities of the Camp
Frere Camp, Jan. 3.-(1st.) 1.-THE
beers inquired by heliograph today:
Why is Roberts coming? What has
Butler done" The British replied;
How did you like our lyddite in the
late battle" The beers signalIed IN
response, Rats"
Pitchers Brilliant Work.
Belmont, cape Colony, Jan. 5.-Qst.)
A dispatch from Dover-Farm today
says: The colonial troops, who have
been longing to meet the beers, have
at last been given an opportunity to do
so and scored a brilliant success. The
cd IxTN
very dinicult, owing to the fact that the
movements of the troops was imme-
diately communicated to the beers by
the natives. In order to prevent this,
Col. Pitcher left a British trooper at
every farmhouse, with instructions not
to allow the natives to leave their huts,
the patrols calling the names of the
natives hourly in order to prevent their
escape. Brilliant work was done by
the troops. Lieut.. Ryan, who had
worked magnifcently, reported the
veldt clear, WhereupOn Major De
Rougemont ordered the guns to trOt.
They arrived within 1900 yards of the
Jaeger, numbered and planted five
shells, in as many minutes,
within the laager. Immediately the
enemy could be seen streaming over
the lopje. They were completely sur
prised, but quickly opened a well di-
rected fire. The Toronto company
rushed forward until within 1000
yards Of the enemy's position, when it
opened a hot fire upon the kopje and
completely subdued the boer fire.
The British artillery shelled the posi-
ton with wonderful accuracy, while
Lieut. Ryan, with the mounted in
fantry, uncovered the fire of the boers
who were ensconed in the bushes
Meanwhile Col Pitcher, with the
Quoenslanders. taking advantage of
every cover, made a direct a+-0c', The
Australians moved slowly but surely,
only shouting when they saw the en-
my retiring under 4 steady fire."
Col Pitcher in Douglass.
Douglass, Cape Colony, Jan. (2d)-
Col Pitcher has occupied Douglass