Towyn-on-Sea and Merioneth County Times

THE MONTGOMERYSHIRE IMPERIAL YEOMANRY IN SOUTH AFRICA. LETTER FROM A WELSHPOOL MAN. THE HTJMOURS OF CAMP LIFE. Under date of Good Friday, April 13th, Trooper George Thomson, late of Bodowen, Welshpool, and now attached to the 31st Company and the Ninth Battalion of the Imperial Yeomanry, writes as fol- lows: We have set foot on Africa's Golden Strand at last. We had to wait nearly two days in Table Bay harbour as there were so many other transports in. We are camped about six miles from Capetown, near Salt River and right at the bottom of Table Mountain, which is a most extraordinary mountain. Until about half way up it is sand and scrub and after that the rock rises sheer-something like Montgomery Castle multiplied about 100 times. There are 13,000 men encamped here so we have lots of company. Cavalry there are in abundance- Paget's Horse, Brabant's Horse and New South Wales Lancers, etc. We have got all our remounts 80 we ought to move soon. We obtained one batch from New South Wales. They are called Whalers' and they are beasts, nothing but skin and bone. Another batch are Austrians—just like little Welsh cobs, only they are too small. Some of them are not above 13 to 13-2 hands. The ground about here is covered with sand of a silvery hue. All we have to do when we wantlto clean our bits is to dip them in the sand and rub them a little. There are no end of Johannesburg refugees hanging about the camp. They are mostly Jews. The climate here is not awfully bad yet. It is very hot in the day and some of the nights are par- tioularly cold. By the accounts of the Cape Times we seem to be having all reverses at present. Government traction trains run between here and Capetown to bring up our supplies. We have to carry an enormous amount of things on our saddles which will weigh when packed about three-quarters of a hundred- weight. Six miles an hour will be our pace I fancy. The country here has not a very tropioal appear- ance except for the sand and the niggers which give it a flavour of the seaside. Of course we are not sleeping on the veldt yet with our saddles for pi'lows, though I might easily kid' you to that effect. We sleep 13 in a tent at present. The only thing that takes the romance out of it is the perpetual calling of Jews with cameras. They want to photograph us at prices we coald obtain decent' old masters' for. There is a chap from Welshpool lying close to *s. He was looking for me the other night but I Was out. However he left his card in our tent. I tell you camp life developes a serene and courteous gentleness pass- ing all belief. Gradually one gets to feel a sublime indifference to all the petty worries of life. Every morning at 5.30 reveille sounds. We get up, pack our saddles in the dark, for it is quite dark then, and go for an eight mile ride around the country. When we return they give us half-a-pint of tea and half a loaf of bread. Butter is a luxury totally unheard of. We got a pot of jam every other day, so we dine luxuriously and prodigally on our bread and jam one morning and repentantly eat dry bread the next morning. To paraphrase Scripture, Very insufficient unto the day is the jam thereof.' But bless you one gets used to all these things by degrees. I believe by carefal attention we could diet ourselves on anything. Personally I have no doubt that in a few months' time we shall be able to eat our saddle soap with a relish. I must tell you about our horses. Our Sergeant says, Men, your 'osses are the beat friends you've got.' Nevertheless some of them are not particu- larly chummy.' But I think the most audacious animal the Lord ever made is the Whaler. The beast looks,like a thorough-bred and stands anywhere up to 15-2. When you get on his baok he remains calmly still. Presently he starts and gives a jump of somewhere about 100 feet. Then he stands still again. If the man keeps his seat through all these manceuves, you can conclude he knows something about a 'oss. A lot of us have been through it and we find that we are totally ignorant of the inner consciousness of the Whaler. He doesn't do his acting like an English beast, but he gives a spring and ties himself into a knot and by the time you realise that you are thrown, you are asking yourself questions, that is if you can clear enough sand out of your mouth to make yourself understood. They are all tied by the headstall to a rope pegged in the ground and then we put a shackle on one of their hind legs with about a yard of rope which we also peg into the ground. We keep them like this until they get used to the business. One can get a deal of amusement out of watching them. They get in some most eccentric positions. Sometimes two or three get down on top of one another. If one gets fast we don't worry, but if two or three get tied up someone assists 'em. You are not allowed to worry around much over a Government horse in a climate like this. There is one drawback, however. You lose all sense of humour on a job like this. The most ridiculous orders issued by the Camp Officers fail to provoke a smile. Every day we strike our tents at ten o'clock and stick them up again in about an hour's time. Every day we pack our saddles, and every day we unpack them. But monotony' is a word unknown. The heat to-day is about boiling point. I am lying in the tent disgaised under thousands of flies. W L Alden was about here when he wrote The Queer Side of Things.' In our corps we all form sub. sections. Four men chum in and swear to assist one another. We sleep, eat and drill together, and our hordes are tethered side by side. My sub-section consists of a London labourer (a very original little chap), another is one of Blundell Maple's men, and the third is a gentleman farmer's son from Northumber- land, named Ker. We have an old soldier in our tent who, when anything out of the ordinary happens, invariably remarks This is nothing to what occurred on the plains of Tinkatat.' I am anxious to fathom the mystery of the plains of Tinkatat.' These old soldiers have always had wonderful careers. A constant source of amusement to us is the tics.' The little pests have taken a decided liking to the Imperial Yeomanry. They don't worry round in gangs, but an isolated member of the species attaches himself to a part of your system, and he generally requires a lot of coaxing and very careful dissection before he will desist. I can cull any amount of the most gorgeous lilies. I may state, in conclusion, that I am con- tinually hungry, which enables me to write such brilliant letters."

TROOPER MILLER ON THE TRANSPORT. DIARY OF THE VOYAGE. Mrs S 0 Miller, The Court, Abermule, has received from her son, Trooper Jack Miller, a record of the principal events which happened on the Montrose—the transport which carried him and his comrades-in-arms to the scene of operations in South Africa. We quote what we think will interest our readers: March 26, Monday.-At the time of writing I am laid up from the effects of inoculation—a preventative against enteric fever. When we were at Las Palmas we heard that Bloemfontein had been occupied, and on the strength of the good news, we bought a lot of lovely oranges and a quantity of other fruit. The boys, all Spaniards, came round the ship in boats and dived after pennies. We have had a splendid passage so far-the sea as calm as pos- sible. We have spotted a number of sharks, whales, porpoises and flying fish. The worst job we have to do is to clean and exercise the horses. It is so awfully hot. Three horses have died and we had to throw them overboard. About twelve o'clock this morning we crossed the equator and we have had no end of fun. All the fellows that had crossed before got hold of those who had not and put soft soap on their heads. Then they were sprinkled with sawdust and thrown into a big canvas bath. I got out of it because I was unwell, but one of the officers had to go through it. March 28, Wednesday.-There has been a little more swell on the sea to-day. We are lying about the deoks trying to find a cool place. I should like a glass of water out of Severn well but I ought not to grumble. The Elder Dempster people have given us one pound of tobacco, a writing pad and plenty of paper. March 31, Saturday.—I am much better and am at work again There has been a parade to-day in marching order. It was an awful job to find our clothes as there is so little room on board ship and things get lost so easily The Irishmen on board are grand fellows, loyal to the core. They do go on about some of the Irish Members. They say the people would be contented enough if it were not for such agitators as O'Conor who rose from nothing simply because he had the gift of the gab." We passed the Cape Verde Islands to-day. April 1, Sunday.-We had a very nice service this morning. We sang hymns 160 and 391, J Swettenham, J Pryce and I taking the bass. To- day we are 1,050 miles from the Cape. I should be glad if you could send me the COUNTY TIMES, because then I should get some news that you could not tell me in a letter. It is getting cooler as we go south of the Equator. April 3, Tuesday.—Yesterday we had a kit in- spection. Everything had to be turned out on deck. Some have lost quite a number of articles, but I have not lost anything yet. The sea has been much rougher these last two or three days. One of the officers of Company 30 was so very ill last night that it was thought he would not live long, but he was better this morning. To-night I am looking at the stara. Orion's Belt is right overhead and we can see one afcar of Jack and his waggon." We can also see the Southern Cross which is not visible in England. It consists of four stars in the shape of a cross. The most charming sight, how- ever, is the rising and setting of tie sun. We expect to get to Capetown on Friday next. April 5, Thursday.—About ten o'clock this morning it was very foggy. We could just see two ships alongside. There was a collision between them. One was the transport Winkfield, carrying the Northumberland Imperial Yeomanry from London to Capetown, and the other was the Mexican, a mail boat bound for England. All the passengers and most of the mails were taken off the Mexican, which was heavily knocked about, and, when we left, the Winkfield was going to try to tow her back to Capetown—a run of about six hours. But it was doubtful whether she would keep afloat, as the water was rushing into her at the rate of a foot an hour. It is rather curious that there should be a wreck in my very first voy- age. We were talking to one of the stokers of the Mexican, who was taken aboard the Montrose. He said he never saw such a sight in his life as when the two ships collided. Women and children screamed, and men fought for the boats. It is sup- posed that one woman lost her head and jumped clean overboard. April 6, Friday.-At eight o'clock this morning, after a lovely voyage, we arrived in Table Bay, but we cannot tell when we shall be allowed to dis- embark. The Winkfield bas landed but not the Mexican. There are a number of cruisers hovering around, and, altogether, I should think there are a hundred vessels in the harbour. We are close to the shore and can see Capetown which seems a funny place under the ridge of some very high and rocky mountains. We, along with 5,000 other Imperial Yeomanry Corps, are going to Maitland, a few miles from Capetown, to camp for some days. I am quite well and happy.

IN MAITLAND CAMP. On Easter Sunday, April 15th, whilst in Mait- land Camp, Trooper Miller forwarded a letter to his brother, Mr SamAel Miller, of Abermule. He says:— We have disembarked and are now snugly encamped. They have supplied us with a number of Australian and Austrian horses. They are good looking beasts, but are rather weedy.' Some of the fellows have been chucked' yards. We have to guaru a bridge about thrse miles from here. The other day some Colonial Dutchmen fired on us, but no harm was done. We have to get up at five o'clock and array ourselves in full marching order -blankets, boots, coat, breeches, shirts, water bottle, haversack, bandolier, rifle, nose bags, head rope, mess tin, great coat, waterproof sheet, etc. All this is a great weight on the horses. It is a grand sight to see the tents pitched and to watch them taking the thousands of horses to water. You hear more of the war than we do as they don't send much news to Capetown. We shall not take tents up to the front, but shall sleep in the open. There are lots of girls walking about the camp. They dress in white, but their faces are as black as the divil.' About ten traction engines keep lugging stuff from the docks to the camp, and large numbers of four-in- hands, driven by Kaffirs, flit to and fro. In order to fetch 240 horses, 120 of us went down by train to Capetown yesterday. We walked the horses back. There are a number of Jews hawking their wares about the camp. A pint of beer is 6d and everything else is equally expensive. Lots of disloyal Dutch are hanging about Cape- town. The women call us silly boys for going to fight against men who will shoot us all. But they don't know everything. All the rail. ways here are narrow gauges. Table Mountain is very high and the top cannot always be seen for clouds. The other day we were inspected by Sir Alfred Milner and some Prince. At present there is little news but there will be more, 1 expect, when we get further up." «

WELCOMING THE "HANDY MEN." THE CREW OF THE POWERFUL IN LONDON. The Naval Brigade of her Majesty's ship Powerful had a splendid welcome on their visit to London on Monday. On arriving at Victoria Station from Portsmouth, they were greeted by an enormous gathering of people, who cheered them enthusias- tically as they marched through Victoria-street, Parliament-square, and Whitehall to the Horse Guards Parade Ground, where the Brigade was inspected by the Prince of Wales and the Lords of the Admiralty. After the march-past, Mr Goshea addressed the Brigade, alluding to their gallant ser. vices at Ladysmith and Modder River, welcoming them home, and congratulating them on their fine appearance. The Prince of Wales endorsed what the first Lord of the Admiralty had said, and observed that he was glad to think the Navy had been of such great assistance during the present campaign. His Royal Highness expressed the happiness it had given him to see them there that day. The Prince and Princess of Wales, with a distinguished party, which included the officers of the Naval Brigade, were then entertained at lunch by Mr Goshen, whilst the men were provided with a bountiful meal. Soon after three o'clock the assembly was founded and the Naval Brigade, headed by Captain Lambton, mounted, started for the City. Along the entire route, from Whitehall to Trafalgar square, through Northumberland avenue, along the Victoria embankment, and through Queen Victoria street the men passed through cheering crowds. At the Mansion House a brief halt was made to receive the salutations of the Lord Mayor, and the Brigade then passed into the Royal Exchange, and thence to Lloyd's, where they were entertained to tea, which was followed by a congratulatory speech by Mr Beauchamp, the Deputy-Chairman of that body, Captain Lambton acknowledging the compli- ment. The Brigade, on leaving Lloyd's had a triumphal march through dense masses of people to London Bridge Station, where they returned by special train to Portsmouth.

PARLIAMENTARY. COLONEL BADEN-POWELL ON SCOUTING. In the House of Commons on Thursday Mr A C Corbett asked the Under Secretary for War whether Colonel Baden-Powell's book on scouting had been supplied to the German army by the German Government, and if any steps were being taken to distribute copies among the British soldiers in South Africa.—Mr Wyndham said he had not been able to verify the report that the book was supplied to the German army by the German Government. Large numbers of copies were despatched for distribution to the troops in South Africa on the 21st February. THE INNISIILLING FUSILIERS. Mr Macneill asked the Under Secretary for War whether the surviving officers of the Royal Innis- killing Fusiliers, who went into action 800 strong and came out 200 strong (while out of 20 officers only five returned unwounded), had been informed that there was to be no promotion because their captain way too young to be a major; and whether, accordingly, officers from other regiments were to be introduced into this regiment, and placed in higher position over the men unwounded, or though wounded still fit tor service, who fought so gallantly on the battlefield. Mr Wyndham The answer to both questions is in the negative. THE SPION KOP DESPATCHES. In the House of Commons on Friday, Mr Runci- man, in committee on the Army Estimates, moved a reduction of the vote for the War Office in order to call attenticn to the circumstances surrounding the publication of the Spion Kop despatches. He maintained that so long as the officers were left in command the censures of Lord Roberts should not have been published. Mr Wyndham, in reply, said that to have decided to publish nothing would have been a very serious decision to take, for which there was no precedent whatever. He was persuaded that Sir Redvers Buller and Lord Roberts intended the despatches for publication and that they sent them home for publication in the firm belief that they would do good and not harm. Mr Asquith said it was flying in the face of common sense to contend that the effect of the publication of cen. sures on officers whom it was intended to retain in positions of responsibility would not be to weaken their authority and impair their prestige with, the men over whom they were placed. The "new diplomacy" was now supplemented by the "new strategy," which, while operations were still going on, published to the world the disagreeable things that one General was saying of another. That was a form of confidence for which this country did not ask. The debate was continued by Sir A Acland Hood, Mr MacNeill, Mr MacLean, and Mr Labouchere.- Mr Balfour said that whether the Government had done right or wrong their policy was capable of a simple and direct explanation. They bad done in the case of Spion Kop precisely what had been done in regard to all the despatches which had reached them from the Commander-in-Chief.-Sir H Camp- bell-Bannerman said that the debate would have done good if it bad taught the Government to excercise discretion.—The House divided, when there voted :-For the reduction, 116; against, 215 —majority against, 99. The matter was also discussed in the House of Lords, the debate being opened by the Earl of Portsmouth, who criticised the action of the Govern- ment. The Marquis of Lansdowne (Secretary for War) replied. He urged that if the War Office had published nothing it would have established the principle that they might issue despatches which contained only praise, but that when despatches contained any adverse comments they should be suppressed. If the War Office had followed this course the public and the Prets would have endeavoured to insist upon publication, and the Government could not have offered a successful resistance. The Spion Kop operations cost ever 1,600 casualties, and he doubted whether there was any action in the campaign which excited a deeper interest. Lord Lansdowne proceeded to minimise the gravity of the criticism parsed by Lord Roberts on General Buller, and also referred to what he described as the great Methuen myth." The Earl of Kimberley strongly criticised the action of the Government in publishing the des- patches, and remarked that it was only human nature that the confidence of the soldiers General Buller was to lead should be diminished. The Earl of Rosebery expressed similar views. The War Office, he said, published everything that was damaging, everything that was critical, everything that was censorious in order to satisfy a publio euriosity of which no outward sign was visible. They had washed their dirty linen in the presence of the world, and they had degraded the authority and impared the position of General Bailer in a way which was Dot achieved by any reverses he me with in the field. They had done all this beoause -although the strongest Government of modern times"-they had been unable to face the prospect of a few questions in the House of Commons. The Duke of Devonshire briefly replied to Lord Rose* bery, and the debate then closed. POSTAGE OF SOLDIERS' PARCELS. In the House of Commons on Monday, Mr Han. bury, in reply to Dr Farquharson, said It has not been found practicable to establish a special parcel post rate for parcels addressed to the troops. The parcel post rate for the South African Colonies is 9d per lb. Free conveyance from Southampton to destination is provided by the War Office for parcels addressed for the troops to the care of the embark. ation officer, and sent to him, carriage paid, as far as Southampton. Sir H Vincent asked the Under Secretary for War whether, in order to meet the wishes of the Field Marshal Commanding in Chief in South Africa, that nothing should be left undone to ensure the safe arrival in the hands of the troops of gifts sent to them from home, the Secretary of State for War had despatched Mr Hamilton Gatliffe to Capetown, as a Com- missioner, to assist in receiving and forwarding parcels for regiments and soldiers; and if the latest advices showed that he had been successful therein, and that the delays previously complained of were mainly due to the exigency of the requirements of the Army in the matter of stores. Mr Wyndham Mr Hamilton Gatliffe, who volunteered his services, was despatched to South Africa, with the approval of the Secretary of State, early in December, as a Com- missioner to assist in receiving and forwarding par- cels for the troops at the front. The reply to the second question is the affirmative. I may add, in order to illustrate the difficulties with which Mr Gatliffe has had to contend, that, in a letter written on April 1, he states that at times he had received supplies amounting to as much as 400 tons a day for distribution. SLAVERY AT EANZIBAR. Mr Macartney, replying to Dr Tanner, said: Reports from the Naval authorities negative the assumptien that a considerable slave trade is now carried on from the Islands of Zanzibar and Pemba of people either sold or kidnapped. THE WAR OFFICK CONTRACTS. In connection with the Select Committee on the alleged frauds and irregularities in connection with War Office contracts, Mr R P Houston, desired to make a personal explanation. He complained of a letter which had been circulated among members of the House by a firm of solicitors representing one of the parties who are alleged to have comitted fraud. The solicitors were Messrs Reese and Hindley of Liverpool. It contained the phrase, Why should he "—Mr Houston-" who has prejudged our clients be allowed to sit in biassed judgment upon them ? Mr Houston denied the statement against him con. tained in the letter, and desired to resign his seat on the Committee. Mr P O'Brien moved that the words quoted constituted a breach of privilege on the part of the solicitors, and the resolution was carried by 192 votes to 100. Mr J Lowther then moved that the solicitors be ordered to attend at the bar of the House. Mr Balfour deprecated such a course as not conducing to the dignity of the House nor serving any useful purpose. Sir H Campbell-Bannerman described the proceedings as farcical, and expressed the opinion that in the present case there was no breach of privilege. The resolution was lost by a majority of 53. A motion by Mr Lloyd-George concerning the powers of Welsh county councils was withdrawn on Mr Chaplin promising to receive a deputation.