The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-03
Lord Kitchener I'm Cape Colony Df-
recting Preparations for Invasion
of the Free State.
FoRTIFIcATIoNs UNDER WAY
MODDER RIVER To HE MADE THE
BASE OF METHUEN's ARMY.
British Regulars to He Increased by
the Addition of Fifteen Bat.
taiions Of Infantry.

LONDON. Feb. 8. 4:1o a. m.-Heliograms
flashed from Ladysmith three days ago say
that the Boer investment lines then were
thinning and that the besiegers were NOV
ing in force toward the Tugela. indicating
that a collision was expected there. This
intelligence bears out other signs that Gen.
Butler purposes a fresh attack.
The War Office continues to reveal MOTH
ing Of what has happened in Natal. With
out exception the military critics regard
with dismay the prospect Of a renewal OF
the assaults unless General Butler has been
heavily reinforced, and there is nothing to
indicate that this is the case.
army to army in northern Cape Colony. and
General French. by instructions. is now In
Cape Town consulting with Lord Roberts
Large engineering constructions are pro-
ceeding at Modder river. suggesting that
Lord Methuen's fortified camp has been Sc
lected as the base from which to invade the
Free State. Numerous sidings. platforms
and warehouses are being built. and per-
manent railway bridge is well advanced.
German strategists assert that the to-
biography of the country would make I'm
vasion easier from himberIey and the dis
trict northward than from the more rugged
region of Strekstroom or Colesberg. There
fore they infer that the combined British
forces will overwhelm the Beers at Ma
yersfontein and first relieve Kimberley az
an incident of the invasion.
General Buffers retreat" says the Cape
Town war correspondent of the Standard.
"has resulted in recrudescence Of trea-
sonable talk here"
The bitter feeling of the Dutch against
the British has probably suggested the op-
portuneness of an organized attack on Slf
Alfred Miner by the ministerialist press.
which has published an article, believed TO
have been written by Mr.. Merriam. secre-
tary of the Cape treasury. demanding Sir
Alfred Miners recall. The coming con-
gress of the Afrikander Bund Is expected
to consider a resolution expressing disap-
proval of "the policy which led up TO the
war;" and urging peace on fair terms.
II is learned that the War ONCE intends
to increase the regular army by fifteen
| battalions of infantry, adding these to the
existing regiments. Sensational rumors
were current yesterday that the militia
ballot act would be put In force on Feb.
IA. and that General Lord Roberts. the
commander-in-chief of the British forces
in South Africa, had cabled for 5000 addi-
tional men, which. it was added, the gov
ernment has promised to give him, send
| ing $4,000 militia and volunteers and 4oTcoS
militia reserves. 1t Is also said that the
volunteers would be mobolized forthwith.
II was even asserted that the Cabinet had
especially dealt with these matters. The
report was not confirmed. The militia bal
lot act makes every unmarried man be-
tween eighteen and thirty years old liable
| to serve for five years.
The only public order issued by the War
Office yesterday was a warning TO militia
| officers against the prevalence OF practical
| jokers.
The Allan liner Numidian Is due TO sail
from Liverpool to Portland to-day with
| two hundred passengers. Yesterday she
was unexpectedly inspected by the Admir-
| atty, with a view of.chartering her.
The cost OF the war TO the end OF the
| fiscal year, March 81. is estimated at ESQ.,
| 600. 600 (s15O. .OO0 O00). The House Of Commons
has already granted el0.0Oo0oa. and the
Times says another e2o.Ooo.ooo viii be asked
| for.
/ The Gazette this evening signifies that II
| is the Queens intention TO confer the Vic
toria cross on Captains Congreve and Reed.
Lieutenant Roberts and Corporal Nurz for
their attempts to save the guns at the bat
/ tie Of Colenso.