Barry Herald

'1 — WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA. METHUEN'S ADVANCE. FL. WORK BY THE BLUE JACKETS. BOER TREACHERY.—ABUSE OF THE WHITE FLAG. MAGNIFICENT INFANTRY CHARGE. THE BELMONT BATTLE. Telegrams from Belmont and Cape Town supply further details respecting the battle near Belmont on Thursday of last week. They show that the behaviour of the British infantry in charging the strong positions held by the Boers was magnifi- cent; they persisted in the face of a tremendous fire, and three times drove the enemy in flight from their kopjes. The artillery also rendered ex- cellent service, especially in the final attack. The Boers are alleged to have three times resorted to the treacherous device of showing the white flag and then firing as our troops advanced. The enemy, after being finally driven from their position, were pursued by the British cavalry for five miles. RECONNAISSANCE BY FRENCH. A force of mounted infantry, with police and a few cavalry, under General French, reconnoitred in the direction of Colesberg on Thursday of last week, and came in touch with the enemy posted in the hills. Shots were exchanged, and three of our men were wounded. SKIRMISH SOUTH OF ESTCOURT. There has been a skirmish south of Estcourt between General Hildyard's force and the Boer commandos surrounding that place. Our troops marched out towards Willow Grange, and early in the morning took a hill overlooking that place, the Boers escaping along the ridge westward. Later the enemy seem to have been strongly reinforced and after some fighting drove the British troops back. At noon General Hildyard ordered a general retirement on Estcourt, which was successfully covered by the artillery and mounted infantry. The fighting cannot have been close or severe, as the British casualties were only three killed and 44 wounded. FIGHTING AT TUGELA. Fighting also occurred on Thursday of last week at Tugela Drift, where a body of from 200 to 300 Boers, believed to have come from Helpmakaar, were repelled, after a two hours' engagement, by 140 Natal troops. — SITUATION SERIOUS AT MAFEKING. A Reuter despatch from Mafeking, of November 15, says the situation there is growing more serious, as the besieging force is getting closer and its fire more destructive, but there is no question of sur- render. A SANGUINE BOER VIEW. A refugee from Pretoria, who has reached Cape Town, says that the Boers there believe the war will last from four to six months, by which time they will possess South Africa. THE GALLANT NAVAL BRIGADE. Another important success has been gained by the column under Lord Methuen, which is moving to the relief of Kimberley. Advancing from his peti- tion near Belmont early on Saturday morning, he was opposed near Gaspan by a body of 2500 Boers with six guns and two machine guns. After the attack had been prepared by shrapnel fire the Naval Brigade and the infantry assaulted the enemy's positions, which seem to have been strong, and carried them after some hours' hard fighting. The Boers retreated on a line where the 9th Lancers had been placed to intercept them. BOER LOSSES AT BELMONT. L In respect to the fight near Belmont on Thursday } of last week it is officially reported that 81 Boer killed are already accounted for, and that 64 of the enemy's waggons, a large quantity of powder, 50,000 rounds of ammunition, and 750 shells were destroyed. THE COLONIAL DUTCH. Many of the colonial Dutch are now openly taking part with the Boers in the Barkly East district, and a body of 70 well-known farmers have seized the magazine at Barkly East, taking 300 Martini rifles and 4000 rounds of ammunition. THE MOOI RIVER. The Times special correspondent at. Mooi River reports that on Saturday a small reconnoiting force got through from there to Estcourt, and that the railway will shortly be reopened. It is officially announced that there are now no Boers south of the Mooi River. AT LADYSMITH. A message from General White, dated Wednesday of last week, said that the situation at Ladysmith was then unchanged, and that the troops were well and cheerful. GENERAL BULLER IN NATAL. General Buller arrived at Durban on Saturday evening, and at once proceeded to the front. BATTLE NEAR GRA.SP AN.-BOER POSITION CARRIED. The following telegram from the General Com- manding at Cape Town, dated Cape Town, Novem- ber 26, was received at the War Office on Sunday afternoon: Lord Methuen reports he moved yesterday, November 25, at 3.30 a.m., with 9th Brigade, Mounted Corps, Naval Brigade, and two batteries, Guards following with baggage. Two thousand five hundred Boers, with six guns and two machine-guns, opposed him near Graspan. Action commenced at six o'clock. Batteries fired shrapnel very accurately till heights seemed clear. Then Naval Brigade and infantry assaulted. Fighting was desperate till 10 a.m., when heights were carried. el Boers retreated on line where the 9th Lancers were placed to intercept them. Result not known at time of telegraphing. Artillery took immediate advantage of enemy's retirement. Early in action 500 Boers made an attack on rear- guard. Brigade met this and also protected flanks. Naval Brigade acted with the greatest gallantry, and has suffered heavily, but no particulars yet known. Enemy showed greatest stubbornness, and must have suffered greatly. Twenty have been buried, and 31 killed and 48 wounded are known of. More than 50 horses have been found dead in one place. One battery fired 500 rounds. Force must halt one day at Graapan to rest and replenish ammunition. Force worked splendidly, and are prepared to overcome any difficulty. Naval Brigade, Royal Marines, 2nd Yorkshire Light Infantry, and let North Lancashire especially distinguished them- selves. Regarding Thursday's fight, 81 Boers killed ac- counted for. Sixty-four waggons burnt. Large quantity at 5>wder, 50,000 rounds ammunition and 750 shells own up. Albrecht commanded Boer artillery. Dolivry was in chief command. The following telegram from Reir-Admiral Sir R. Harris, dated November 26, has been received at the Admiralty. Deeply regret to report following have been killed in action at Graspan on Saturday, November 25: Commander Etbelston, Powerful; Major Plumbe, H.M.L.I., Doris; Captain Senior, R.M.A., Monarch. Following severely wounded: Flag-Captain Pro- thero, Doris. Following wounded Lieutenant Jones, R.M.L.I., Doris. Other casoalties not yet known. The Admiralty announces that Commander de Horsey, Captain Morgan, R.M.L.I., and Lieutenant Wilson, R.M.L.I., of her Majesty's ship Monarch, have proceeded up country to join the Naval Brigade -with Lord Methuen's force. DEPARTURE OF SIR CHARLES WARREN. Lieu tenant-Gen eral Sir C. Warren left South- ampton on Saturday by tHe Norham Castle for South Africa to take command of the Fifth Division of the Army Corps on service there. LORD METHUEN PROTESTS AGAINST UNFAIR WARFARE. General Lord Methuen has sent the following message to the Commandant of the Boer forces: o I am acting quite fairly as your opponent in not taking two men who know the position of the laagers at Kimberley, and who are on parole. I ask you to warn those under you not £ <?• bounded, shoot my officers who endeavour to help them. I also ask you not to use Dum-Duni burets. Eighteen of my men were wounded with Dum-Dum bullets. I cannot accept any but a fair flag of truce. To place a handkerchief on a rifle is cowardly and will not be respected. All my hospital arrangements are excellent. All "I Cst wounded in the battle, save the severely wounded go to Cape Town shortly, via Orange Bøer. MR. KNIGHT'S TESTIMONY. -NinetY-sev n wounded have arrived at Wynberg. Among them is Mr. E. F. Knight, special correspon- dent of the Morning Post, who was wounded at Bel- mont. In an interview Mr. Knight stated that he •ccomnanied detachment of the Northampton*. [ When the Boers were 300 yards distant and sur- rounded they displayed a white flag. The officer in command of the detachment ordered his men to rise, wht renpon tho Boers fired a volley, wounding Mr. Knight and otiiors. END OF A MARCH. Before next morning was grey (says Mr. G. W Steevens, in one of the craphic despatches sent to his paper, the and referring to the affair at Nicholsons N'ek). in came the 1st Rifles. They pushed uphill to their blue-roofed huts on the south-west, side of the town. By the time the sun was up they were fed by their sister battalion, the 2nd, and had begun to unwind their putties. But what a sight! Their putties were not soaked and not caked; say, rather, that there may have been a core of puttie inside, but that the men's legs were embedded in "serpentine cast of clay. As for their boots, you could only infer them from the huge balls of stratified mud they bore round their feet. Red mud, yellow mud, black mud, brown mud they lifted their feet toilsomely; they were land plummets that had sucked up specimens of all the heavy, sticky soils for 1;) miles. Officers and men alike bristled stiff with a week's beard. Rents in their khaki showed white skin; from their grimed hands and heads you might have judged them half red men, half soot-black. Eyelids hung fat and heavy over hollow cheeks and pointed cheek-bones. Only the eye remained—the sky-blue, steel-keen, hard, clear, unconquerable English eye-to tell that 32 miles without rest, four days without a square meal, six nights-for many- without a stretch of sleep, still found them soldiers at the end. BARBARITIES OF THE BOERS. I talked with some of the refugees (says Mr. Win- ston Churchill. in a letter sent to the Morning Post before his capture and imprisonment in Pretoria) and heard the fultest confirmation of the horrible barbarities perpetrated by the Boers on the train- loads of refugees. A British officer on special ser- vice was also explicit. He had been at Storm berg while the exodus from the Republics was going on. The Boers plundered the Hying folk mercilessly, and had insulted or assaulted men and women. The chief sufferers were the Basuto fugitives. They had been brutally flogged with sjamboks, and e came across the frontier bleeding from the wounds. Moreover, their little score of money had been stolen by the simple pastoral people," and they were in many cases starving. "One woman," said the officer, had been Hogged across the breasts, and was much lacerated." Such is the Boer-gross, fierce, and horrid—doing the deeds of the devil with the name of the Lord on his lips. It is quite true that he is brave, but so are many savage tribes. THE BEACON HILL FIGHT. The following telegrams from the Governor of Natal have been received at the Colonial Office Boers are retiring on Weenen. Our troops are occupying ridge three miles to the north of Mooi River. It appears that Boers have found our position too 'strong, and are retiring towards Lady- smith with loot they have collected. Rivers all in flood. General Buller has arrived. NOVE.HBER26.—Telegraphic communication restored with Estcourt early this morning. The War Office has issued the following telegram from Sir R. Buller: PIETERMARITZBURG, November 26 (10.45 p.m.).— Hildyard, from Estcourt, made successful attack November 23 with three battalions, one field batterv, naval gun, and about 700 mounted troops on enemy, whi were occupying Beacon Hill, which dominates Willow Grange, and had interrupted his communi- cations. Result of operations—enemy retired and railway and telegraph lines being restored between Estcourt and Weston. Our loss about 14 killed, 50 wounded. Hildyard has advanced to a position near Frere, as he hopes to cut off the enemy, who is believed to Je retiring on Colenso by Weenen. Barton, from Weston, has advanced to Estcourt. As soon as communication is restored I will telegraph particulars. So far as I make out, the operation has been one for which Hildyard and his troops deserve much credit. Railway now is open to Frere. NAVAL BRIGADE'S LOSS. The following additional list of casualties in the Naval Brigade at Saturday's action at Graspan was received at the Admiralty on Monday from Sir Me elvers Buller: Killed.—Midshipman C. A. E. Huddart, Doris; Private John Boyle, E.M.L.L. No. 80.34 (Plymouth), Doris Able Seaman Henry T. Hurst, No. :188,362, Monarch Able ^eaman^Sidney Austin, No. 187,211, ) Monarch; Bombardier Alfred Bennett, R.M.A., No. 4408, Monarch: Private Fredk. H. Radford. R.M.L.I.. No. 7470 (Plymouth), Monarch Private Henry Greagsby (?), R.M.L.I., No. 6960 (Ports- mouth), Powerful; Private Harry Martin, R.M.L.I., No. 6913 (Portsmouth), Powerful; Private John (?) Metcalfe, R.M.L.I., No. 8439 (?) (Portsmouth), Powerful; Private Win. H. Barnes, R.M.L.I., No. 3371 (Portsmouth), Powerful; Private Alfred Brown, R.M.L.I., No. 6258 (Portsmouth), Powerful. In addition to the above, 13 petty officers and sea- men, and 76 non-commissioned officers and men of the Royal Marines were wounded, making a total (including Commander Ethelston, Major Plumbe, and Captain Senior, already announced dead, and Flag Captain Prothero and Lieutenant Jones, wounded) of 105 casualties. Thus the total loss of the Naval Brigade tft the battle of Graspan was Killed 14 Wounded 91 MESSAGE FROM THE QUEEN. By direction of the Queen, the following telegram I has been sent to the Naval Commander-in-Chief at the Cape of Good Hope "The Queen desires that you will convey to the Naval Brigade who were present at the action at Graspan her Majesty's congratulations on their gallant conduct, and at the same time express the Queen's regret at the losses sustained by the brigade." Whether in consequence of the failure of the east coast cable or from some other cause the news from all parts of the theatre of war in South Africa is very sparse to-day. Telegrams up to Sunday night from Pietermaritzburg, Estcourt, and Mooi River seem to indicate that a general advance of the British forces has begun, that, the Boers are retreating towards Ladysmith, and that railway and telegraphic communication up to and beyond Estcourt is being rapidly restored. General Buller, in a message to the War Office from Pietermaritz- burg, dated 10.45 p.m. on Sunday night, describes General Hildyard's operation of Thursday against the Boer force which held the high ground dominating Wiilow Grange. He says it was successful, compelled the enemy to retire, and has enabled the railway and telegraph lines to be repaired between Estcourt and Weston, and that General Hildyard and his troops deserve much credit. The British loss was about 14 killed and 50 wounded. Tbe railway is now open to Frere, and General Hildyard has advanced to a position near that place, hoping to cut off the enemy, who is believed to be retiring to Colenso by Weenen. The Governor of Natal also reports that the Boers are retreating on Weenen, and says that OUT troops are occupying a ridge three miles north of Mooi River. He adds that the rivers are all in flood. No further news has been received of Lord Methuen's column since the fight at Graspan; but a despatch from the admiral commanding on the Cape Station of Monday morning's date, has been'received at the Admiralty, giving further details of the casualties suffered by the Naval Brigade in the battle, from which it appears that in all four officers and 10 sea- men and marines were killed, and two officers, 13 petty officers and seamen, and 76 marines were wounded. The Queen has sent a telegram to the admiral, desiring him to convey to the Naval Brigade r- y her Majesty's congratulations on their gallant con- duct. STORMBERG RE-OCCUPIED. From Queecstowu i is reported that the enemy re-occupied Stormberg on Sunday morning, and that General Gatacre was to begin his advance to the front on Monday. Meantime reinforcements were reaching him. A SIX DAYS' FIGHT. A message from Kuruman states that on November A message from Kuruman states that on November 13 the place was attacked by 500 Boers, who, after six days'and nights' continuous fighting, were beaten off with a loss of 30 Vilied and 28 wounded. The British loss was on.> killed and one wounded. On the evening of November 19 the enemy suddenly disappeared.

THE French newspapers are puzzled over the reported stoppage of a French ship by a British cruiser on the West Coast ef Africa. They ask whether Delagoa Bay is blockaded; the answar to which question is that there is no right to blockadea neutral port. We (the Law Journal) suppose that the Admiralty have reconsidered the pedantic rule laid down in their Manual of Prize Law" that contra- band goods can only be goods going to a port of the enemy, and that they are act.ng on the sensible rule that goods of a contraband nature, intended for the use of tile enemy, can be seized on the high sea though their immediate destination be » neutral port. This was the rule followed by the American Prize Courts in the Civil War. The right to seize contraband goods carries with it the right to stop and search neutral vessels, and this is probably the explanation of the action of the British warship, which swms to us Quite justifiable.

DECISIVE VICTORY IN TIIF, SOUDAN. TUB KHALIFA KILLED. The following telegram from the Sirdar at Khartoum was received at the War Office on Satur- day: Khartoum, November 25, 7.35 a.m. Wingate's column came up with Khalifa; defeated him utterly after sharp fight. Khalifa killed. All principal Emirs either killed or prisoners, except Osman Digna, who escaped. Whole camp taken. Thousands surrendered. Large numbers of women and children, cattle, &c. Action quite decisive. Our casualties very slight —three men killed, 12 wounded. The Foreign Office has received the following telegram from Lord Cromer: Following is a summary of further details received from Wingate through the Sirdar Force lurched by moonlight from Gedid and found Khalifa at Om Debrikat. Dervishes attacked at 5.15, and subsequently whole Egyptian line advanced and swept through ly dervish position for two miles. "List of Emirs killed and wounded is given. It includes, besides Khalifa, Ahmed Fedil, Alid Wad Helu, also two brothers of the Khalifa and Mahdi's son. Osman Digna left directly firing began. Wingate hopes to capture him. He speaks most highly of behaviour and endurance of troops, who marched 60 miles and fought two decisive actions in 61 hours. Egyptian loss, three killed, 12 wounded. Lord Cromer has received (says Reuter) the fol- lowing from the Sirdar Colonel Wingate's force came up with the Khalifa's force seven miles south-east of Gedid, and attacked it. After a sharp fight he took the position. The Khalifa, who was surrounded by a bodyguard of Emirs, was killed, and all the princ pal Eruirs were killed or taken, except Osman Digna, who escaped. The whole camp, women, cattle, &c., were taken, and thousands of prisoners, most of whom gave themselves up. The force is marching back to the river. Our loss is slight. Will wire you further details later. The Soudan *may now be declared open. Lord Cromer has received the following despatch from Lord Kitchener Further details from Colonel Wingate: A reconnoitring party of Arab horsemen definitely located the Khalifa's position at Om Debrikat. Our force marched from Gedid by moonlight, having frequently to cut its way through thick bush, and 1. arrived before dawn on rising ground overlooking the Khalifa's camp, the exact position of which was concealed by trees. We heard their drums and horns before d iwn, and at 5.15 the dervishes advanced to the attack. Our guns now opened fire, and the action became general. Half an hour later the whole line was advanced, and swept through the dervish position for upwards of two miles till their camp was reached. The mounted troops, under Lieutenant- Colonel Mahon, pursued and captured most of the fugitives. The Khalifa with most of his men, emirs, and bodyguard, made a gallant stand. The Khalifa was killed, and with him the following: Khalifa Ali Wad Heln. the Emirs Ahmed Fedil, Senoussi Ahmed, and Haroun Mohamed, the two last being the Khalifa's brothers, Sadik, the Mahdi's son, Ahmed Ali Abugekka, Beshir Wadarab Abib, Osman Zenaba, Abdulbaki, and Abdulwekel Mohamed. The following Emirs wounded and prisoners were with us: Sheikh el Din, Wadinokheir, Junis Degheine, and many others; in fact, every im- portant man except Osman Digna was killed, wounded, or taken prisoner. Osman Digna left directly the firing began, and is probably concealed somewhere in the vicinity, I hope eventually to get him. We took the entire dervish camp. including 1000 men, women, children, andeattle,&c. All who were not killed surrendered, and the pursuit is now over, I cannot sjjeak too highly of the excellent beha- viour of the troops, and their endurance during the long tedious marches preceding the final action. From four in the morning of the 21st inst. until five in the morning of the 24th they marched 60 miles, and fought two decisive actions. Our casualties were very few, only three men being killed and 12 wounded. 0 Colonel Wingate captured 9000 men, women, and children. Osman Digna is still at large. The natives here at Suakin are jubilant at the news of the death of the Khalifa and the crushing defeat of his army. WJ.\(JATR KEXCUES TII: SKI-K. L,or(I Lromfcr reports from Cairo thtot Colonel Wingate has reached the Nile. The troops are well. His prisoners, including men, women, and children, number 9000. Osman Digna has not yet been captured.

CHILD MURDER BY BABY- FArtMERS. An inquest was held on Monday at Battersea oit the body of a child named Selina Jones, aged one year and nine months, which was found on the fore- shore of the Thames of Battersea on September 27, in a condition which according to medical evidence indicated that it had first been stunned, and then suffocated by a cord being tied tightly round its neck. From the evidence of the mother of the child and other witnesses it appeared that the child had been entrusted to the care of a Mrs. Hewetson, who advertised that she took charge of children. and who was identified with a Mrs. Chard Williams, living at Barnes in August and Septembor last, who at that time had the child in her care. It was stated that the bodies of two other children, tied up in the same manner as that of the child Jones, had been found in the river ai, Mortlake and Barnes m July last. The jurv returned a verdict of Wilful murder niruinst. Mr. and Mrs. Chard Williams, alias Mr. and Mrs. Hewetson.

THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF BRITISH ART. The new rooms which have been added to this gallery by the donor, Sir Henry Tate, and which more than double its available space—consisting of eight rooms for pictures and a hall for sculpture— were Oil Monday IIhown to a number of invited guests by the architect, fr. S. K. J. Smith. Sir H. Tate was prevented by ill-health from being present.

ONLY ONE SOUTH AFRICA. STKOJKJ SPEECH BY SIR EDWARD GKKV. Sir Edward Grey, Bart., speaking at Alnwick on Monday night, started with this proposition "Whatever mistakes were made in the course of the negotiations in the Transvaal, yet in the main the war turned upon one issue, and in that issue we were in the right." His reasons for making this assertion were briefly these (1) 'Ihe configuration of the country was such that the habitable parts of South Africa must stand or fall together. (2) With that in view a measure of independence was given to the Transvaal only on certain condi- tions, one being that there should be equal rights between white races. (3) The Transvaal whittled away the rights of other white races; they made attempts to get rid of British influence altogether; they intrigued with the natives and they intrigued with Europe. (4) Pacific measures having failed to get back the rights of ths other white races, and as South Africa must stand or fall as a whole, two alternatives re- rnained-naroely, either to let things drift or to em- ploy force. The Transvaal Government decided which of these alternatives it would be by tending us an ultimatum. In his opinion, the fault of our Government was that troops were not sent earlier. Apart from all the negotiations, apart from the Uitlanders' grievances—even if there had been nogrievances and no negotiations—the despatch of more troops to South Africa was necessary to redress the inequalities of power in that country. It was not merely that the power of the Transvaal and of the Oran Free State was stronger than ours, but they had political ambitions as well, and their mili- tary«strength had become such as to constitute a menace to British influence in South Africa,

COLONEL R. G. BROADWOOD, of the 12th Lancers, who has been selected for special service in South Africa, has held the command of the cavalry of the Egyptian army since November, 1898. The colonel, whose period of service dates back to 1881, and who secured a majority 16 years later, served with the Dongola expeditionary force under Lord Kitchener in 1889, and his conduct at Firket and Hafir was mentioned in despatches and rewarded with the brevet rank of lieutenant-colonel. The colonel is a Staff College man. THE Vienna Meteorological Institute promises us a mild and warm winter. It seems that mild winters go in cycles, and the coming winter should be the last of the cycle which began in 1896. Many people will probably be glad to avoid the rigours of a hard winter, but on the other side of the account it must not be forgotten that a ereen Yuletide makes a fat kirkyard.

CUllKiflJT SPORT. Much interest attached to the results of cross- country races held by the Oxford University Hare and Hounds at Oxford and tbo Cambridge Univer- sity Hare and Hounds I at Cambridge on Saturday. Cambridge beat the Blackheath Harriers by 16 points to 39. They supplied the first four men borne, C. E. Puniphrey, the freshman, beating the 'Varsity captain W. Winterbotham by half a yard for first place in the fast time of 40min. 47sec., E. H. Gibbon (Cambridge), close up, third. Oxford de- feated the Thames Hare and Hounds by 21 points to 34 points, G. R. Fothergill, H. S. Davis, W. R. Strickland, and H. K. Briccoe were first home for the Dark Blues in the order given. Their perform- ances were quite overshadowed by the running of W. H. Whitelaw for the Thames Hare and Hounds, himself an old Dark Blue. He finished first in 43min. 56sec., beating Fothergill by lmin. 12see., and accomplishing record over the course, nearly seven and a half miles in extent. Somerset and Gloucestershire played their match at Bath on Saturday in the Rugby County Football Championship Competition (south-western group), and the result was something of a surprise in the victory of Somerset by one goal and a try to a try. Gloucestershire, however, took the field without the International forward. F. M. Stout, while in the second half Jarman had to give up play through an injury to his ankle. This success of Somerset gives increased interest to the meeting of Somerset and Devon on December 9, for each county has beaten both Cornwall and Gloucestershire. Devon, how- ever, are strong favourites for the divisional cham- pionship. Cumberland scored a clever win over Lancashire at Penrith in the northern group by a goal and a try to two tries, or eight points to six. There was a revival of all the old interest in the match between Richmond and Blackheath. Rugby clubs at the Rectory Field, at Charlton, on Saturday, and the Lord Major of London'3 War Fund should materially benefit, for there was a big crowd, and the whole of the proceeds of the game were given to the fund. Blackheath were unexpectedly beaten by four tries to a goal. Their Fifteen has been rather disorganised by the departure of their mili- tary members for South Africa, and on Satur- day the side were completely beaten. Rich- mond played superb football, keeping on the I ball and dribbling well, while Schwarz, at half, and all the three-quarters showed plenty of capacity for kicking and passing. For those who, I wanted a line as to which is the best London team this year, there is one to be struck by taking the great victory of the Scottish over Richmond on the 18th inst. and the victory of Richmond over Blackheath on Saturday. To begin with, Blackheath scored a goal, placed by Bulloch from a try by Nickalls. Near to changing ends came two tries for Richmond, who doubled their advantage in the second half. After a fine robust game, the Rugby match at Richmond Athletic Ground, between the London Richmond Athletic Ground, between the London Scottish and Cambridge University was drawn with- out any score. The Cambridge forwards proved themselves superb scrummagers and the Scottish, too, were clever with their feet in the loose. There was not much back play to notice if we exeept the kicking of Sagar, the Cambridge full back, who was constantly finding touch at distances from 20 to 40 yards. Near the finish Sagar only just missed placing a goal from a penalty the ball fell a couple of yards from the post. It was a splendid match to follow, and the forward work all round was worthy of the best traditions of Rugby football. Mr. R. F. de Winton, the old Oxford Blue, was the referee. There seems to be no finality to the excellence of Sheffield United team of Association football players, and on the last Saturday of the third month of the season they are found at the very top of their game in the League Championship tussle, playing with all that freshness and vigour which marked their skill in the early weeks of September. The victory gained by them at Bramall-lane over Notts Forest was extremely clever. Notts Forest are a very good side, but they found the United defence so strong that they were unable to reply with a goal to the United's total of three. Aston Villa, who have had to go through a,whole chapter of accidents with their men, managed to win o game; but. the most remark- able thing perhaps was the success of Bury asrainst Sunderland. The weather generally was fine, and there were the usual big crowds at the various grotind,e. A:ston Villa secured the largest. gate "— namely, over 20,000. Details: Sheffield United v. Notts Forest.—The United had their best eleven at Bra mall-lane, and gained a brilliant victory by three goals to none. Btiry v. Sunderland.—Playing at home, Bury won well by three goals to none. Aston Villa v. Burnley,—The Villa won at home by two goals to none. Liverpool v. Wolverhampton Wanderers.—Each tide scored once at Liverpool, and the game was drawn. Newcastle United v. Preston North End.—This game at Newcastle was drawn, nothing scored. Blackburn Rovers v. Everton.—The Rovers won at Blackburn by three goals to one. Notts County v. Stoke.—Visiting Nottingham, Stoke won well by three goals to one. Derby County v. West Bromwich Albion.—At Derby the home team won by four goals to one. Manchester City v. Glossop.—The City team played brilliantly at Manchester, and won by four goals to one. The following games were decided on Saturday in the Second Division of the League Leicester Fosse v. Sheffield Wednesday.—Played at Leicester and drawn—neither side scoring. Walsall v. Bolton Wanderers. -Ea(-,Ii side scored twice at Walsall and the game was drawn. Grimsby Town v. New Brighton Tower.—At Grimshy the visitors won by two goals to one. Luton v. Newton Heath.—The visitors won at Luton by one goal to none. Middlesbrough v. Gainsborough Trinity.—This zi.atch at Middlesbrough was drawn, nothing being scored. Burslem Port Vale v. Loughborough.—-At Burslem the Port Vale won by three goals to one. Barnsley y. Lincoln City.—Barnsley won a home by four goals to none. I Burton Swifts v. Cliet-.terifeld.-Tiie Swifts won easily at Burton by four goals to none. In the Southern League the results arrived at on Saturday were as under Brighton United v. Millwall.—Visiting Brighton, Millwall won a hard game by two goals to nil. Thames Ironworks v.Swindon.—At CanningTown, the home side won by one goal to nil. Sheppey United v. Queen's Park Rangers.—The Rangers went to Sheerness and were beaten by three goals to one. Bedminster v. Southampton.—At Bed minster, the home side were beaten by two goals to nil. Portsmoutu v. Bristol City.-Porternouth won at home by two goals to nil. Reading v. Chatham.-—Played at Reading, and won by the home side by three goals to one. Bristol Rovers v. Cowes.—The Rovers won on their own ground by three goals to nil. At Tottenham the Corinthians were beaten by five goals to one, a result that cannot be wondered at seeing that they had only four of the men who defeated Queen's Park (Glasgow) a week before and that G. O. Smith had only partially recovered from the injury he then sustained. For half an hour the football was excellent. G. O. Smith scored for the amateurs and Carncronand Kirwan for Tottenham,who were much the stronger side as the game progressed. Kirwan piltotianot-lier goal before hal f time, and su bse- quently Copeland and Cameron made successful shots. Oakley, Barrett, and Beasley worked very hard in defence for the Corinthians, and Vassall was often prominent on the right wing, but the honours of the game were almost entirely with the Hotspur. Jones, Morris, and Stormont were all remarkably good at half, and, besides the forwards who scored, Tom Smith played brilliantly at outside right. Oxford University v. (lasuals.-T,he University eleven were in capital form at. Caledonian-park, and won by four goals to one. Cambridge University v. Clapton.—Thanks to the brilliant work of their forwards, Cambridge won easily at Upton by seven goals to none. Old Carthusians r. Old Brightonians. The Carthusians won on their opponente ground at Walthamstowbytwogoalatoona. Richmond Association v. Upton Park. At Rich- mond the home side won bv one soal to ni-s. Oxford University beat the West of Scotland on Monday at the Rugby game, at Oxford, by two goals and a try to nothing; and Swansea beat North- ampton, at Northampton, by three tries to nothing. Among Monday's Association matches were the following: Cambridge Univeraity and West Brom- wich Albion tied at two goals all, at Cambridge and Tottenham Hotspur beat the Kaffir team by six goals to four.

A TERRIFIC explosion of nitro-glycerine has occurred near Tiffin, Ohio. Fifteen hundred quarts of compound exploded at a factory located in the forest.

WAR PHOTOGRAPHS TO ORDER. The war in the Transvaal has inspired the editor of a Paris illustrated paper with a highly ingenious idea, say South Africa. The persons who happened to be in the Buttes-Chaumont Park the other after- noon were astonished to see a group of English soldiers occupying the top of a Knoll. The men were ranged as if expecting an attack, some of them placed as advance sentinels, others taking advan- tage of the cover afforded by trees, and the re- mainder ranged in firing order along the crest of the slight eminence. Presently a "commando" of Boers surged out from below, opened fire on the English, and proceeded to storm the hill. For a moment the spectators were inclined to wonder whether the English and Dutch residents in Paris had decided to settle their differences by mortal combat. In any case, what was afoot was sufficiently mysterious until the truth was explained. The editor already mentioned is desirous of giving his readers realistic photographs of the Transvaal war, taken, of course, by a special correspondent. Genuine photographs of this kind would naturally be difficult to obtain, so the editor had hit on the idea of dressing up a number of theatrical supers as English and Boers, of making them go through a series of military operations, and of having photo- graphs taken of the scenes thus contrived. In con- sequence Londoners must not be surprised if they shortly obtain, via. Paris, what purport to De kodak reproductions of the wounding of General Syrnons, and other prominent incidents of the war. There seem to have been no mules at the Buttes-Chaumont, or, doubtless, the famous stampede would figure in the series of pictures.

DISPUTING THE CLAIMS OF THE SEA. Considerable interest has been manifested in a Local Government Board inquiry at Swan age with respect to an application made by the Urban District Council to borrow several thousand pounds for works of sea defence. Mr. Clavell Salter, who sup- ported the application, showed that the sea had- greatly encroached on the beach, and that there was a danger of the public roadway also being washed away. The council bad decided to erect groynes to prevent disaster. Strong opposition was offered by landowners, including Sir Charles Robinson, Mr. J. Mowlem, and others. The inspector will report in due course. r-

ABOUT SHORT-SIGHTED PEOPLE. It is evident, to anyone who has given the subject any attention whatever, that the number of persons who are corrected for hypermetropia is greater than the number of those who are corrected for- myepir. There are probably, however (says the Optician), many more near-sighted people going without glasses than there are far-siglitedi And this for a very simple reason; the hypermetrope is almost unable to use his eyes at all; he has difficulty, more or less pronounced, in using his eyes at a distance, while for reading they are almost useless. Add to this the constant strain on the ciliary muscle, caused by its struggle to overcome, by means of the accommodation, what is amiss in the refrac- tive system of the eye, and you will readily see why hypermetropes are so very apt to notice the defects of their eyes, and why they usually experience such great relief when fitted with the proper glasses. Myopes, on the contrary (we arA speaking of cases where the defect is not extremely marked), are able to read with tolerable ease; they do not see well at a distance, it is true; but, never having experienced anything better, they do not feel the need of absolute sharpness in view:ng remote objects, and as in cases of this kind there is none of the agonising struggle of the acco- modation which exists in hypermetropia, the patient frequently blunders along for years, never suspecting that his eyes need any attention at all. In this class are to be placed most of the old people who pride themselves on their strong eyes," because they reach an advanced age without being obliged to have recourse to glasses for reading; whereas in most cases it is the very defect of the eye in early years (namely, a slight and unnoticed myopia) which neutralises, as it were, the failing of the eyes in the opposite direction as old age advances. Now the indistinctness of v'sion caused by myopia is due to the fact that the rays of light. come to a focus before they reach the retina that is, the globe of the eye is too long in proportion to its re- fractive power. And for this reason myopia, when not corrected by the proper lenses, reacts on itself, as it were, and the very fact that a person is near- sighted tends to make him still more so. For the near-sighted person must hold his work or reading close to tbp eyes in consequence of this, the eyes must converge very strongly, in order that they may both focus on such a near point. This causes a stretching of the back of the eye-the eye-ball becomes elongated—and the moypia is further increased. One of the commonest charac- teristics of a myopic person is the pressing together of the eyelids, which, by narrowing the aperture of the pupil, increases the sharpness of the image. But this pressure has at the same time the effect of forcing the contents of the eye-ball back against tlle rear wall of the eye, thus, in the course of time, fending to lengthen the diameter of the eye. Again, the myope, wearying of holding his book so close to his face, is apt to lay it flat on the table, and leaning his head on his hands, to look down on the page. Then the weight of the eye rests on the front wall of the eye-ball, and again the tendency is to be elongate the distance between the cornea and the retina. This being the case, it is evident that it is of the greatest importance that myopes should be fitted with proper glasses at the very commencement of their trouble.

THE ARMAMENT OF A. BATTLESHIP. The > dmiralty have finally decided on the arma- ment of the battleship Implacable, which is being completed for sea at Devonport. The vessel's heaviest guns will be four ]2in. of the 50-ton Wire- wound type, and they will be mounted, two in each heavily armoured barbette, one in the fore part,, and the other in the after part of the ship. The Implac- able will also carry 12 6in. breech-loading guns of a hew type, 26 quick-firing guns, suitable for boat, and field service, eight Maxim machine guns, and six torpedo tubes.

CONCERNING CRICKET. The M.C.C. Committee have recommended the following alterations in the laws of cricket: 1. Six balls to constitute an over. 2. Declaration permis- sible at or after the luncheon time on the second day. 3. The side that leads by 150 runs in a three days' match, 100 runs in a two days'match, or 7.5 runs in a one day match, shall have the option of calling pn the other side to follow its innings. Copies of the proposed alterations have been sent I out to the cricket authorities in.Austfaha. America, and South Africa. The Test Matches Board will meet at Lord's Cricket Ground at two o'clock on Monday, December 4, to settle up all accounts and other business in connection with the test matches between England and Australia during the past season. At three o'clock on the same day the county captains will meet at Lord's to select umpires for the county matches next season and f )r other business. The secretaries' meeting to arrange next year's matches will. be held at Lord's on Tuesday, December 5, at noon.

SIR W. MACCORMAC AT SEDAN. In an'article entitled The Surgeon on the Battle- field," a writer in the Church Family Newspaper recalls a conversation he had with Sir William Mac- Cormac in regard to his experiences in the Franco- German War. At Sedan Sir William served on the Anglo-American Ambulance. Telling of the battle of Sedan and of the shells flying about the hospital,, where lie was engaged, he said: We were a little disquieted at first, but one soon gets used to that sort of thing. Again, I had a number of amputations to perforin of legs, and thighs, and arms, and excisions of shoulder and elbow-joints. Tha removal of bullets and pieces of shell from different parts of the body was quite an ordinary occurrence. It was a case of repairs neatly and expeditiously executed* from morning till night, and sometimes all night. We must. have attended to over 500 cases in one day, and ever so many were turned away. Lots of men sought refuge in the hospital simply for food and rest. Our great difficulty was to find time to examine the gunshots at the very earliest possible moment, before inflammation had set in. What are known as primary amputations are far less dangerous than ordinary cases."

THE CHITRAL GARRISON. The relief of the Chitral Garrison has been suc- cessfully accomplished, the relieving column having got safely to their destination, and the troops who hold that far-off outpost of the Indian Empire have (says a Simla correspondent) marched back unop- posed to the Malakand. The move was not accom- plished ,|however, without a few isolated outrages. One arrest has already been made, and the influence of the British politicals on the frontier is now so strong that all the culprits will probably be surrendered by their fellow-tribesmen before long.

JBANS; "There is a man who is always looking for I trouble." Bones: Well, it's easy enough to ciirehim of that habit." How ?" Get him into the police forco." j

I DISCOVERY AT THE FORUM. I The diggings in the Forum, which are being con- tinued in spite of the arrival of winter visitors, have recently given some excellent results. Near the site of the Basilica Æmilia an old drain has been dis- covered, which had been roofed in with magnificently executed slabs of marble, carved in decorative bas- reliefs of the time of Tiberius. The design of these slabs, which measure about two yards by one, con- sists of carved scroll work set in a decorated marble frame. They evidently form part of a decorative frieze which ran round the Basilica iEmilia. No work so fine has previously been discovered in the Forum.

CORNER IN CATS. Following the announcement of the creation of Belgian hare and skunk trusts in Indiana comes the report, according to the Chicago Tribune, that Herman Eular, of Posey County, has succeeded in almost cornering the supply of Angora cats. During the last year he has raised and sold no fewer than 3000 Angoras. For some he received as much as 50dols. each, and in no case did he part with one of his treasurers for less than 25dol., the total amount approximating 100,000dols.

AMERICAN MINERAL WEALTH. From well up in New York, extending in a south- westerly direction through Pennsylvania, the Virginias, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, and far into Georgia, and Alabama, is a mountain region abounding in coal, iron, and other minerals. There is scarcely an arid acre in the whole region, and the climate is healthful and invigorating. The country is flanked on all sides by some of the richest agricultural districts in the world. It is traversed by numerous large rivers, the navigable distances from Pittsburg being given at about 15,000 miles. Coal s as dirt in the hills it is estimated that in Western Pennslyvania alone, above the water levels, and leaving out all veins less than 3ft. thick, there has been enough good coal located by the State Geological Survey to supply all the demands of this tontinent for 500 years.—Evgincc-ring.

FROM JOHANNESBURG TO DURBAN. The Exchange Telegraph Company's special cor- respondent at Ladvsmith, in an acconnt of his journey from JohilTlneburg to Durban, says: I had been a resident in the Transvaal since 1885, and I did not doubt that when martial law was proclaimed I should have no difficulty in obtaining a permit to remain in the town during the war. I was not over sanguine of war eventuating, and in a letter to thttir own Government organ, I had sought to prove to the BotT3 the utter helplessness of their cause as against the right and majesty of Great Britain, This had an entirely opposite effect. The Boers con- sidered themselves invincible. They would drive us into the sea at Durban, and one of their commanders even went so far as to give his address at an hotel at Durban. lie has, by the way, almost reached his place of expected residence by becoming at the present juncture of the war a prisoner in our hands in Maritzburg. My letter gave great offence, and not only was I savagely refused a permit, but the following letter, which is translated from the Dutch, was thrust under my office door: "We, the under- signed, fully enfranchised burghers of Republic, do hereby state that J-- M-- is a dangerous rooinek, by profession a journalist, is one of the greatest Jingoes and sedition-mongers, a hater of Afrikanders and everything that tends to the pro- sperity and well-being of our social and moral wel- fare; a strong writer, and altogether, to put it plainly, a wiper-out of Afrikander Nationality, re- quest and urge to our hon. Government iinmediatelv and peremptorily expel the said J M from this State, with an injunction that should he refuse such warning, that lie be publicly hanged on the Market-square as an example to siiiiilar rebel, as we consider and know him to he extremely dangerous to t.he peace of our dearly-cherished Fatherland.— (Signed). J. I. van Spuy, G. ,A. de Beer, P. O. Olivier." I was inclined at first to consider this as a joke, but subsequent interviews with officials showed me it. was grim earnest. My plaintive requests for a permit were savagely refused. I received the letter on October 5. and despite having provisioned my house, I left 10 ditys later. The next consideration was whence to go. To Natal I could not, as the line was closed from Johannesburg, and to Cape Town I would not, us only cattle trucks were' pro- vided for all classes. I therefore chose the only remaining course, .and left, for Delagoa Bay, via Pretoria. The journey occupied 30 hours. Passing Bronkhorst Spruit, very sad memories of our British losses were recalled and hopes expressed that our defeat would soon be avenged. Looking out of train, we saw three Boers together. One of them deliberately pointed his rifle at the train, but was disarmed by another of the trio. Having arrived at Lorenzo Marques, I found crowds in the street, a most unusual sight for that town, composed mostly of Johannesburg refugees. Eventually the writer took a passage to Durban in the Raglan Castle^ which was, of course, crowded. Every man was compelled to sleep on deck, but the ladies were properly looked after. They included 31 nurses who had been turned out of the Johannesburg Hospital at three hours' notice. They refused to serve under the Dutch medico, and the Boers were afraid that, being Eng- lish, they would poison the wounded Transvaal warriors. There were also on board some 300 coolies with their wives and families. w

FAMINE IN BRITISH EAST AFRICA. Reports from the British East Africa Protectorate point to the existence of a state of things which, says the- Scotsman, is not only distressing, but alarming. The extent of the famine which has devastated the Protectorate has never, perhaps, been quite fully realised in this country, although Sir Arthur Hardinge has recently placed on record some facts Vfliich enow its exceptional severity, and has pointed out the utter inadequacy of the means which are being employed to cope with it. The individual Europeans resident in East Africa and the local agencies—in particular the missiouary societies- have done what they could to assist the starving natives, but there is a strong feel in, throughout East. Africa that the distress cannot properly be met by private efforts, and that the British Government must recognise its responsibility in the matter.

AUTOMOBILISM IN ENGLAND. A representative of the Clittrc-li Aeuqjal)er has had a chat with a leading number of the Auto- mobile Cluh who remarked: I admit automobilism has not hitherto made the progress in England that was expected of it, but the matter is capable of ex- planation. At the outset of English automobilism, about three years ago, the public became very greatly interested in the new movement. A number of campanies were formed, a great many exaggerated L-tateinentii were put about, prospectuses were sent flying, and people got the idea that the thing was coming on with a regular boom, whereas no industry had as ypt been started in this country. It was not until long afterwards that the English manufacture of motor vehicles began. Three years ago if there had been a number of machines available, the public woud have bought them up at once, so interested were they in the new kind of locomotion."

WIIAT' word is that which to name is to break it 1- Silence.

HOW THE WOUNDED ARE TENDED; TIIE DOCTOR AND IIIS WORK. A few details of the medical arrangements cannot fail to be of interest to the general public, and especij* ally to those of our readers(says the Daily News) wfrb have relatives now serving, and about to serve, undin Sir Redvers Buller. Roughly speaking, an Arn £ § Corps consists of 36,000 men (including omcer8 Of these rather more than 34,000 are fighting meg, the remainder being men for special duties colt" nected with the feeling, transport arrangements telegraphy, pontooninsr, ballooning, &c. Every regiment, Battalion Artillery Divisiott (Three Brigades), and Engineer Company has a medical officer attached to it, and he accompanies it into action with his orderly in order to administ(ac firit aid to any man who is wounded while tfili regimental stretcher bearers are ready to carry the same to the dressing stations or field hosiitaTB6 There will be about 45 surgeons in immediate charge of the men composing the Army Corpfe They are also responsible for the sanitation of their respective camps." BEAKER COMPANIES AND DRESSING STATIONS. Obviously, however, in an action of any magn^p tude, more assistance will be necessary, both is skilled attention to wounded, and in carrying them, from the field. This is provided for by" bearer companies," and of these there is one for eveiy brigade of cavalry and infanty. A bearer compazr| is composed of, three officers (the officer command^ ing being a major, a sergeant-major, 12 sergean18 and corporals, 44 privates, and a bugler, all qf the R.A.M.C., in addition to which them are for transport duties 38 men (under a warranfr officer) of the Army Service Corps. The mode of working is this: Two stretcher sections under aD officer (each section consisting of four stretcher squads (under a sergeant) collect the wounded, and qarrv them to the "collecting station"—a spot chosen as near the fighting line as possible, hat sheltered from the enemy's fire. This collecting sta- tion is in charge of a sergeant, who has a supply of" dressings, &c,, to replenish the haversacks of the stretcher-bearers. Here also are placed the ambu- lances of the first line "ready to receive men, under the sergeant's direction, and bear them back to the dressing station." The Dressing Station" is on a site selected aa being, if possible, out of fire, near a water supply, and also near a road. When available, buildings are chosen, and if not, the operation tent is here- pitched; and instruments, medicines, medical com- forts are arranged ready for use, fire lighted for- heating water, &c. It may be considered the most important position in the jonrney of a wounded man from the field towards camp, as it is here that the first opportunity occurs for a careful examina- tion of his condition. The major of the company and apotber medical officer are here placed, with the- sergeant-major, three non-commissioned officers, and four privates (including a cook). The wounded being carefully attended to and dressed, are nov# placed in the "second line of ambulanobs, and are taken back to one of the field hospitals. FIELD HOSPITALS. Field Hospitals are encampments for the reception, of thejsick and wounded, one being attached to each brigade, or to each body of troops large enough to render it desirable. The equipment of a field hos- pital ip for 100 beds, but it is so arranged and packed that sections of 25 beds can be utilised separately if required. As it must accompany its brigade on th& march, it is moveable, being supplied with meana of transport; but it is eq uippad with a view to make it a* comfortable and oompleteas its mobility will permitof, seeing,that wounded men may be obliged to remain in it for some time. Whenever circumstances permit, however, all patients are sent back towards the base of operatjons, in order that the field hospital shall be ready for the wounded of the next engagement. The number of field hospitals will be 12, being one, for each brigade, and for each body of divisional" or corps troops. The personnel of each is so follows: Foor medical officers and quartermaster, J a sergeant-major. 11 sergeants and corporals, 23.. privates of the R.A.M.C., with a sergeant and l privates of the Army Service Corps for transport duties. STATIONARY HOSPITALS. The,wounded from the field hospitals having been sent tq a post on the lines of communication (which we may consider as on the railway), ar&"¡" placed in trains specially provided. Whether they proceed a long journey or not will depend on the- fixtures" of each individual to stand the fatigue. a For those not sufficiently well there will be resting. places nt points along the railway, known as "sta- tionary hospitals," their position being selected by the General Officer Commanding in consultation with the principal medical officer. Each of them accommodates 100 patients, but is capable of divi- m sion, if necessary, into two sections of 50 beds each complete in itself. Four of these hospitals have been 't sent, to South Africa. The personnel of each it S i Four medical officers, a quartermaster, 12 sergeant* and corporals, and 28 privates. These hospitals am established in buildings whenever possible, but marquees and other tents are always stored at the base of operations, if it be necessary to make & cllmp. During the present campaign it may be Mr pected that buildings such as farmhouses will be- usually availablo along the line of railway, and cer- tainlyat the towns. • GENERAL IIOSriTALS AT THE BASE. The rext. journey taken by our sick and wounded will bring them to the "base," which is at or near m one of the ports of embarkation. Large hospitals arc there established, known as general hospitals (or "base hospitals "), each, accommodating 500 men and 20 officers. Four of these were mobilised with the Army Corps, and one is organised at Wyn- berg (near Cape Town). These establishments are as complete in every respect as the large military hospitals at Aldershot, &c., except that it may b& a matter of Hobson's choice in the selection of a building. (Thus our readers must have heard of churches being used in the Franco-German War)* There will probably be little difficulty in this respect at the large sea port town,- of Cape Colony; and if it be determined to consider Port, Elizabeth or East London as a "base," ample accomtnodiation will doubtless be found in either. A large staff is neces- sary for the working of each general hospital," and it consists of the following personnel: A colonel and seven officers, including a G.M. of the R.A.M.C.. with 11 civilian surgeons; a lady superintendent with eight nursing sisters, two warrant officers, 25 sergeants and corporals, and 115 privates of the R.A.M.C. NUMERICAL RECAPITULATION.. Particulars have from time to time appeared of the steps that have been taken to supplement the. services already described-in the shape of hospital trains and hospital ships—all with the object of dealing expeditiously and effectually with the wounded. The following will show approximately the strength of the medical establishments on service when the whole force has arrived, excluding those which are usually present in Cape Colony in time of peace: Medical officers, R.A.M.C. 282 Civilian surgtons 68 Nursing sisters, including four superin- tendents 56 Quartermasters, R.A.M.C. 28 All other ranks 2050* Army Service Corps for transport 800

STARTLING DISCOVERY. I The Havana correspondent of the New York: World, has telegraphed the startling news that the authors' of the Maine explosion have at last been discovered. The American officers have, it is stated, discovered since their occupation of the island that the Maine was blown up by the servants) of one of the clerical officers of the city by means of 7001b. of guncotton, the property of the Spanish Government. The American authorities are now in possession of a mass of evidence on this point, and it is declared will probably ask Spain to assist in the conviction and punishment of the offenders.

NIGER COAST EXPEDITION. News of severe fighting in the Cross River region is expected daily. Troops have been brought down the Niger from Jebba, and they will co-operate with the force of the Niger Coast Protectorate. The gun- boat Jackdaw will take part in the operations. Five hundred native troops, Husas and Yorubas, will be employed under the command of seven British. officers. The expedition is due to leave Old Calabar immediately, if, indeed, it has not already left. Sir Ralph Moore accompanies the force. The Cross River tribes-Aros, Ibibios, Inokuns, and Eketa-have never been completely subjugated, although quite a number of expeditions haw frona time to time been sent against them. They are numerous and good fighters, but lack the power of combination. The nature of the country renders land operations difficult, being densely wooded. The gunboat will rake with Maxim fire native villages in proximity to the river. Colonel Lugard, Governor of Northern Nigeria, and the Hon. David Carnegie, who will assist him in his difficult administrative work, leave Liverpool next Saturday. The British protectorate over Nigeria will be declared on January 1.

A RETtTRW just issued shows that about 105,000 men in the British Army are now in possession of One or more good conduct badges. LoRD OLINTON, the Lqrd-Lieutenant of Devonshirso, icting under medical advice, will spend the winter abroad, and proposes to leave shortly for the RiriArii.