The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-03
PRAISE FOR COLONIALs.



papers are unanimous in praising the gal
lantry Of the Canadian and colonial troops
The Times says: 1.-The mother country wall
share with the Canadians and Australians
in the pride and qualification they must feel
at the fine qualities displayed by their
troops in this dashing little engagement"
The Standard says: 1.-The Canadians and
Australians have been spelling for fight.
Now they have had their opportunity and
they have greatly distinguished themselves
by their GOODNESS and discipline. From the
view point of imperial unity the little fight
may fairly be described as one of the most
gratifying events recorded in the recent
history of the British race.
Although the continuance of minor sue
cesses gratifes the British public. 1t is not
forgotten that the larger aspects of the
campaign are unchanged. AS the Daily
News remarks, ''it is day of small
mercies."
The Importance of both General French's
and Colonel Pitchers victories lies I'm the
effect they are likely to have upon the
colonial Dutch. The latest dispatch from
Douglas confirms the earlier report that the
Boer laagers consisted chiefly of British
| subjects, who, on the arrival of the small
Free State commando. accepted, probably,
an invitation to throw in their lot with the
| Beers, thus terrorizing the loyalists, who
are now jubilant.
A Cape Town dispatch reports that "the
| rebels in the Barkley district are demoral-
lied by the British occupation of Dord
recht. Should 1t turn out that the Dutch
rebellion is thus being diminished it will be
a matter of great relief for the British cam
paign. The Standard remarks: Until the
Tugela has been crossed and Ladysmith re-
1ieved 1t would be idle to deny that the 10
litical position in Cape Colony is one of
very great danger, and If, unhappily, Gen.
eral Butler is again defeated. it will be nee
essary to dispatch 100000 additional men to
keep the Dutch in order"
| Winston Churchills estimate that 100000
men will be required to defeat the forces
of the two republics has been ridiculed in
many quarters. but, as matter of fact,
this number is already almost reached,
without the extra 100000 which the Standard
foresees might be required Yesterday the
Admiralty chartered eight more large
transports. When all the troops destined
for South Africa join those already there,
Lord Roberts will be in command of about
100000 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.
The Daily Mail makes the following
statement this morning: 1--WE understand
that the defense committee of the Cabinet,
after careful consideration Of the question
of defense of the empire, particularly with
regard to artillery, will shortly call for the
| expenditure of E5,000,000 to make good de-
| ficiencies and to place the nation on a par
! with other great powers. The new equip
ment will be provided as speedily as pos
| sible, 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.
At a meeting held at the London resi-
dence of viscount Curzon. yesterday, a
a hospital base for the Yeomanry. The
Princess of Wales accepted the presidency
of the committee The Duchess of Con-
naught and the Duchess Of York agreed to
serve as vice presidents. The membership
Of the committee includes most of the
leading women of the British aristocracy.
among tnem the DucneSS OF MarlDorOugh.
The Queen has accepted the services of
twelve battalions OF militia for foreign
stations. Seven of these are assigned to
South Africa.
The Earl of Albemarle will command the
City of London Infantry Division, instead
of Col. Sir Charles Howard Vincent. The
latter is colonel of the Westminster Volun-
teers, but failed to pass the medical ex-
animation necessary to qualify him to
command the infantry division bound for
South Africa.
Harry McCalmont, the sportsman, has
been ordered to South Africa with the
Warwickshire militia.
Mr.. George Lynch, the newspaper CORE
spondenr, who was captured outside OF
Ladysmith and imprisoned at Pretoria, has
been released and has arrived at Lourenzo
Marques.
Sir William Thompson has been ap-
pointed consulting surgeon to the British
forces in South Africa.