The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1901-12-12

BOERS IN
THE FIELD
Both British and Foes
Still Fresh
Kitchener Seems Made of
Ir,n.
DeWetS Force Broken. Beers
Being Hemmed in.

New YoRK, Dec IA dispatch from
Wellington, N. u says responsible New
Zealanders returning from South Africa
declare that more eoldiers are needed tC
finish the war. The troops have the ut
most confidence in Lord Kitchener, but
his efforts are hampered by the i'll ad-
vised agitation in the United Kingdom
1t lie asserted that excessive considera-
tion is shown to the Beers in the refugee
camps while the colonists in Natal are
suffering hardships.
A military correspondent in message
sent from Pretoria declares that the
statements that the British troops in
South Africa are "stale. are untrue
He says that the men are in splendid
condition, This refers both to the regu.
la-s and volunteers attached to the vari
rious battalons. Some colonials recently
recruited at South African seaports are
less satisfactory.
The correspondent says it is undenable
that the strain on the generals and their
staff is excessive. Many OF these officers
have work I'd for IL hours daily for two
years Lord Kitchener alone seems alb
solutely impervious to wear and tear.
Reinforcements to the number OF 25,-
600 would be immensely valuable, Gays
the correspondent and would render the
last stage of the war rapid aud complete.
The Beers are keeping in the field from
5000 to 10000 and they are in as good
condition as the British. The Beers still
believe that European Intervention is
imminent. that Great Britain is tired OF
the war and that thev have only to hold
out long enough in order to make the
British 30 weary that they will surren-
der.
The correspondent dwells on the diff
Guilty Of Lord Kitchener's position. He
has 5000 miles Of communication to pro.
tect, several governments are being re.
established the English populations
are being brought back and the enemy's
families are being looked after. All is
being done with a mu,h smaller num-
ber Of Effective troops than has been i'm
agined. The removal Of Lord Kitchener
would be fatal, says the correspondent
and would be construed by tie Beers az
a great triumph for themselves.
Dewets Force Broken
A e'pondent teleSraphing from
Pretoria, SAYS the Bosr force, which con.
centrated under De Wet in the Orange
River Colony and was lowering around
the line Of blockhouses between Kroon-
stad and Lindey, has been broken up
by Broadwood and Byng.
General De Wet, President Steyn and
about 100 men had previously withdrawn
south.
Beers Hemmed In.
In explanation OF the South Africa
military situation, the London cores
pondent Of the Tribune cables: Lord
Kitchener has not had to wait long for
some result from his new plan of opera
lions against General Botha, by con-
structing line of blockhouses. He has
bad General Botha's force inclosed in an
area Of 10, 900 square miles.
Over this restricted country the Brit
ish columns are now moving and Lord
Kitcheneris enabled to report the cap
ture of practically the whole Bethel
Commando. AS in the case OF the cap
ture Of the lager at 0shoek last week,
General Hamilton surprised the com
mando alter a night march. Lord Kitch.
ener sent the news from Standerton,
where he went to direct the operation