Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1900-05-12

- HIneUt, III Splle VI warnings, Soulu az
cumulate armaments against the most
powerful cOmbatant, and thus secure
terrible advantage. We now know bet
ter than We did 10 years ago what risk
il would be If we gave a disloyal gov
ernment in Ireland the power of accum-
ula ting forces against this country. Mr.
Gladstone shattered his own party so
that for the moment they are erased
and pOwer!ess factor in English p3li-
Tics. But it must not be imagined that
the etfacement is likely TO be perma-
nent."
The premier then urged the necessity
OF precaution in time, remarkirg that
material for military aggression was
yearly increasing in power and efficiency
among every one of the great nations,
adding: I'm every race in history. the
great maritime power has been para.
lyzed or killed, not by disasters suffered
n its provinces, but by a blow direct at
the heart. The British navy. Of course,
ought to be sufficient. But are We wise
in placing all our eggs in one basket"
As to land defense. 80 far rs can Sea
conscription is not remedy the country
must induce the people to voluntarily
put themselves in a. position to defend
their homes and their country. This
Primrose league can do much to foster
the creation OF rifle clubs, If once the
feeling could be propagated that 1t is
the duty of every able bodied English
man To make himself competent to meet
an invading army. we would have a de-
fensive force which would make the
chances of an assailant SO bad that no
assailant would appear
After resolution, urging British
subjects to prepare in tim ~ of peace
go as to be ready to play their part in time
of imperial emergency. had been carried
by aCcama ton, tEe me citing adjourned
London. May l0.A dispatch to The
Times from Smaldeel says: Lord Rob
erts has halted here to complete the rail-
way and 10 allow time FOR the cavalry
the place designed for them in the
now returning from Thabanchu to take
original scheme Of advance. General
Hamilton last week was continually in
touch with General Botha's rear guard
The enemy maneuvered field guns skill.
fully to check General Hamilton's ad-
vance. On one occasion they masked
their position so well as to jeOpardZe
the British convoy. which was saved by
the timely arriva! of the Highland bri-
gade. with naval guns. The advance on
Winburg was so rapid that Hamilton's
advance scouts were overlapping the
town before Botha's transport was clear,
but owing To difilculti. 5 "a the drifts, the
guns arrived too late to effect the con-
voys capture.
General HuttOn's mounted infantry
b.igade. including the Canadians. with
part Of General Frenchs cavalry,
crossed the Zand river Tuesday and be-
san to work its way cautiously along
the railway norihward in the track Il
the retiring Beers.
About 5000 horsemen were probably
engaged in the advance. General Hut.
ton. before he was Joined by part of
General Frenoh's force. had a sharp
fight. This was on Monday. when he
reached the river and saw the Beer con-
voys on the other side and pressed for
ward. int. nding tu cross and capture
item. The Boers. however. opened fire.
forced the river above and below.
seemingly in thousands. and sought to
enveiop the British. General Hutton