The Wilmington daily Republican., 1900-02-02
.ENCLAND'SGRHAT ARMY
Greatest .Fighting-F Force Britain
Has Ever Gathered.
OVER TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND.

All Of These, Excepting Eighteen
Thousand Ahoat. Are Now In South
Africa-Over Eighty Thousand Have
Had No Fighting Thus Far.
London, Feb. 2.-Mr. Wyndham's re-
markable declaration In the house of
commons yesterday that Great Britain
will have in a fortnight 10000 regu-
lars In South Africa. 1000 Canadians
and Australians and 26,000 South AZ
rican volunteers, is received with won
derment. OF this total of 213,O00
troops, with 452 guns. all are now
there, with the exception Of about 49,
900 that arc afloat. !. beyond compare
son this is the largest force Great
Britain has ever put into the field. At
the end of the Crimean war she had
scraped together 10000 men. Yelling
ton at Waterloo had Is, 900.
Mr.. Wyndham's speech was the
strongest defense the government has
yet put forward as to what has been
done and is being done. The general
tone of the morning papers is that his
figures will astonish the country.
Roughly speaking, only $4,000 men are
at the front. Ten thous8nd others have
been lost and 10000 are shut up at
Ladysm!th.
Excluding these, there are now TO-
900 troops who have not yet been In ac-
tion, IN addition to those at sea. Why
go many electives have not yet been
engaged Is explained by the lack Of
land transport and the organization of
supplies. to which Lord Roberts is de-
voting his experience and Lord Kitch-
sner his genius for details.
1t seems as though the weight OF
these masses must destroy the enuilib-
rum which now holds the British
forces stationary wherever they are in
contact with the Boer army.
Lack Of transport and organization
will not explain adequately why, when
generals at the front request reinforce
ments, they get them in rather small
numbers. knowledge is slowly pene-
trating to London that large garrisons
must be kept in Cape Colony to hold
down the Cape Dutch, who, as every
one knows outnumber the British resi-
dents three to two.
Gable scraps received during the last
IL hours do not further illuminate the
military operations. Various independ-
ent correspondents confirm the report
that General Butler told his troops on
Jan. 2S that he hoped to relieve Lady
smith within week. 1t Is believed
in some rather trustworthy quarters
that he is again assailing the Boer
lines.
A further list of casualties published
by the war office brings the total from
the crossing of the Tugela to the
abandonment of Spion Kop TO 1885 Of
hcers and men.
Some unpleasant criticism of the
war oifice has been caused by the dis
covery that the sights of the Lee
Enfield carbines are defective. Old
carbines have been supplied to the out
going Fourth brigade of cavalry.
The only announcement regarding
fresh military preparations is the for
nation OF three additional batteries.
The Cape Town correspondent OF
The Daily Chronicle telegraphs: Gen.
eral Joubert's wife accompanies him
everywhere, and insists on personally
providing i0r his table.
The Daily Telegraph publishes the
following dispatch from Spearman's
Camp, dated Jan. 80: Colonel Wynne
has taken command of General Wood
gates brigade. Colonel Miles has been
appointed chief of General Buffers
staff. The Beers are still construct
ing defensive works opposite Pot
gieters Drift. A strong cavalry re-
connaissance proceeded today west
ward, In the vicinity Of Hongers
Spruit.
The Prince of Wales has sent the
| collection of bamboo walking sticks
| which he made during his Indian tour
for the use of inva ided and wounded
soldiers from the cape.