The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1901-02-16
DE WET IN CAPE COLONY,

| The gallant De Wet has at last
crossed the Orange river into Cape Col
ony. Kitchener had six of his crack
generals out after him for weeks to
prevent him from invading the colony
occupied by $4,000 Africanders fit to
bear arms, but i'll spite of all their Wig
lance and their 100000 troops scatter
ed from Dan to Beersheba, the willy
Boer general succeeded in Guiding
them all and crossed unobserved in
the darkness of last Monday night
Several British generals have followed
him and it goes without saying they
will keep at Il respectful distance or
get cntrappcd.
The people of England realize that
the war in South Africa is only begin
ing if the Africanders throw their lot
with their invading kindred who seek
their aid. The British authorities in
Cape Colony have anticipated the raid
of De Wet for some time and placed Il
~ lNll IlOll VI IL lilillIldl law
The Africanders We're called upon to
give up their arms by a certain date,
but it is said they gave up inferior
weapons and kept the best they had
for future contingencies. The harsh
ness with which they have been treat
cd has cNasperatcd them against the
British and there is no doubt but
thousands of Africanders will flock to
Dc Wet and fight the AnglO-SaXons to
!, finish.
The most optimistic jingocs in Eng
land have dropping lips over the new
turn of affairs and 10000 more troops
are on the way to help Kitchener from
defeat. But what can 10000 do?
When 100000 cannot conquer De Wet
when alone and unHided, can 100000
do it. when he is backed by 10000
or more AfrcandcrS. who can use
their rifles with the same dcXterity as
their kindred in the two republics?
The parliament which met on Thurs
day and was opened by Edward will
have a stormy session. and no mis-
take.
1t was said that the new king was
for peace, and that Sir Evelyn Wood.
the brother of Mrs. Parncll. was going
t" Africa to supplant Sir Alfred Mil
ncr. The letter from Chamberlain to
that high official contra(licts the re-
port. Edward is likely to follow in
his mothers footsteps and keep up the
war indefinitely. In order to get sol
dierS. however. it will be necessary for
his majesty to resort to CONSUMPTION,
for British patriots arc very reluctant
to tender their services as volunteers
and the Saxon shilling attracts only Il
few d-fOr-nothing fellows from the
sllms of the great cities. Maud
Come says that enlistment in the
British army in Ireland is at stand
still The Scotch and Irish in Africa
have been almost annihlatcd, and the
ones at home don't want to meet the
same fate at the hands of the brave
Beers.
Sir Alfred Miner the British high
commissioner Of Cape Colony, made a
speech the other day at Cape Town
and lugubriously said: "It has been
said that the enemy would never come
to Cape Town, but any one who in
the face Of events of the last few
months will say IL thing is impossible
because it seems improbable is too sill
~ to he argued with. ! am aware that
risk being called an alarmist. but il
is better to be called an alarmiSt than
to run any risk" De Wet is already
in the colony and he may march
on Cape Town with an overwhelming
force. The British have 1000 vol,nl-
tecrs to guard the city. but tlmy will
fly like chntf before the wind from the
Beers and their Africander allies. AS IL
London correspondent says the volun-
tcrrs ut Cape Town will offer but little
resistance in view Of the failure Of
seasoned British volunteers to stand
their ground. Every time the Beers
and the British meet the latter are
forced to surrender or retreat, and the
excuse given lis that the British ran
out of ammunition and supplies. Gen
cral Knox and Major Grove have late
ly ran after a severe loss of men and
guns. Because Crewe managed to
make his escape to Bloemfontein, Cen
cral Kitchener congratulated him upon
his achievement" Looking ut mat
tors as they are reported from London
the British are losing ground and the
Beers are gaining. Success to the
Beers!
THE MISSIONARIES IN CHINA.
Many things have occurred in the
M CT months tn, Snftnn tl,, i,,,)rr,nn+