The Western Mail

MILITARY POSITION It)- THE PRESS ASSOCIATION _'llLIL\RY CORRESPONDENT.] LOXDOX. Thursday Night. Again to-night there is no news from the front. Doubtless, by this time there i, plenty of information of general interest, ?'aftmgunderinstructions.the censor has probably held the wire from the war co,re,poii(l(-nt? until General Bailer has made his long-expected attack. There are not too many vulnerable points along the enemy's lines, and unless the strictest secrecy is observed as to our movements wc shall find, as we have aheady done, that the Boers have been forewarned, and have, consequently, been t'li-earmed. In spite of the virulent criticism which has been launched upon General Buller in consequence of his prolonged inactivity, that orficer is one of the most capable generals in the British Army, and sooner or later w shall hear the true facts of che ease which will, probably, furnish an eye- opener to the irresponsible amateurs who dabble in military criticism. The delay is, undoubtedly, due to one of three equally important causes. Buller is either laek- 111, in ammunition or mounted troops or he is already carrying out some difficult operation which calls for the utmost tact and secrecy until it is fully developed. Of the first there is not much likelihood, for the ammunition supply from the commencement has been good, and the expenditure of shot and hell has, so far. been coinparatii-el3- small ni Natal. As to the second possibility, it not unlikely that General Buller is dis- satisfied with the relative proportions of the various arms which have been sent out to lnm. Apart from his recent loss in artil- lery. he was extremely weak in that branch of the service, while his irregular tioops and cavalry are still quite unequal to the arduous task before them. As far a. can be gathered, the total number of "a bres under his command at Frcre and C'hieveley Camps is about 1,200, a force which would very soon be absorbed in extensive movement, upon the enemy's flank. It is probable, however, that ('neral Buller is making the most of the troops at his disposal, and is carrying out demonstrations east of the Boer position. The movement is not unattended by danger, for, as I explained Inst night, the enemy have so many facilities for gaining information that it is next to imnovible to effect a complete surprise in and, at the samp time, their flank. are so far removed from our niiiii < :inu> that in the event of a reverse little assistance could be rendered by the troops ""gaged in a frontal attack. It is to be! Wed that when the blow is struck, if. i indeed, it has not already been delivered, 1 it will he so well timed as to occupy the Ihpr, upon all sides at once, in which case tire hpst marksmanship and ordinary tac- t:cl cannot save them from defeat.

INDIA'S LOYALTY, HM TEirs TELEGRAMS.] CALCUTTA.Thursday. Tbe acceptance by 'he Imperial Government' a mounted corps from India for service in '1J'h Afrtc? ha? given the keenet pleasure '?u?hont the country. Volunteers fram at) ? P -.s are offering their er,i,,s. ,rd a number ill utta men are going with the --ting2.t »' '? e<Mn-e of the f?rm? employing them. sir I'ctcr Lumsdeu. who will arrive ')) (o:?mbo to-morrow, has given M.OOO r M-towards the cost of equipping the corps. _,M! ,uraiah Sir Joteendro Mohan, of T,, titrib.te 5,or,.) rllpes. and hi- i i:&h Cooniar, viiii f.rni,b i, t <• e ?et ef X ray apparatus. R n ia.. Thursday.—The transport Fjina: f"r Hurban with the J Battery Koy.,1 K e and spare horse* < RAILWAY PIONEER HECRriTS. 'Monday.-Another batch of recruits I'I- the new Railway Pioneer Corps sa ¡led to 'L, hr (';Ipe T,,?.. h?r. the headquarters of fh have b?n e,ti,bli,b?,1. Active ^u' "1!? ^or Methane's Horse is proceeding ri.e Portuguese gunboat Chaimite has ',<-rC She wi" forlhwith go into dock f,r hl)rf)Uh overhaul. The Kcnnie liner Im..r" h.. arrived here with nearlv 100 cases I. 'ks. magazines, ^c., which ",er collected ;n C M kr th( and \Hlnded troops In v -Slutli I

NEWS FROM THE FRONT. MORE STRETCHER-BEARERS I FOR BULLER. HOW THE SUFFOLKS FACED DEATH. RUMOURED MUTINY AT MODDER UIVEU. According to the Durban correspondent of the "Thncs," 1.200 Indian stretcher-bearers left for the front on Monday night. Their depar. ture is generally regarded as indicative of a renewal of the fighting. BOER HELP FROM COLENSO. A "Daily Mail" telegram from Frere Camp, on Monday, says:—The natives state that on Saturday, when the i-ritiah reconnoitred Colenso, the Boers hurried from Springfield. Tbis supports the belief that the defence of, Colenso was weakened in order to reinforce ♦he attack on Ladysm th. SATURDAY'S FIGHTING. [• MORNING POST" CORRESPONDENT.] FRERE CAMP, Monday (9.15 a.m.). A private heliograph from Ladysmith states, with reference to Saturday's fighting, that the Bors strongly attacked Cfesar's Camp and Sign Poj-t Hill. The assault was supported by a tremendous artillery and musketry fire; but on the Boer^ approaching the summit of Cepsar's Camp the Gordons u;.(1 the Manchester Regiment charged with the bayonet, driving them headlong on Sign Post Hill. Both battalions charged with equal effect, and the attack was everywhere repulsed. Our loss was small. The Boers mll,t have suffered very heavily. It is reported that they lost 400 prisoners, but this is doubtful. i The gun On Bulwana Hill is bombarding Ladysmith. .UEUTEU'.S TKI,KGUAM] CAPE TOWN. Monday. The new, of the repulse of the Boer attack on Cit'-ar ? Camp at Liulysmith is welcomed here. Surprise is, however, expressed that the Boers should have assumed the offensive, and it is thought that this may indicate the necessity for hastening operations. Another 1.000 mules have arrived here by the transport Mount Royal. According to a Lourenco Marques tele. gram. published by the "Argus," Mr. Reitz, the Transvaal Foreign Secretary, said that his Government would not accept Sir James Sive- wright's offer of an ambulance, and desired no assistance from him, but was willing to reimburse his expenses. The Transvaal, how. ever, had accepted the .erviees of Dr. Meeth* hue. j! 'C'EXTllAL XEWS TET.Efin.M) I CAPE TOWN, Monday Night. ) The attad, on Ladysmith on Saturday is i taken to indicate that the recent events of the war have given the enemy increased confidence in their ability to hold their w ?i against Great Britain. The success of Sir George White in beating the,. back relieves the anxiety that was felt, throughout the Colofi and rmes gratefully .ft,r the recent rever3 A copy of the "Stoats Courant." the official Transvaal organ, which has reached Cape :¡:¡:"o:nBO;ela:t r:l':htta I Magersfontein and in the engagement at Stormbers. At Magersfontein the 10,se, are given as 48 Idred and 71 wounded, and at Stormberg four killed and thirteen wounded. The names and addresses of the men and the nature of their wounds are given. DEATHS AT LADYSMITH. I Th? General of Communications telegraphs to the War Office: — PtETERMARITZBURG, Wednesday. The following telegram has been received trom the general at Ladysmith:— DEATHS FROM ENTERIC FEVER. Corporal C. Littlebury, 1st King's Royal i Rifle Corps; Privates A. Hopely, 19th Hussars; A. Hume. 19th Hussars; G, Bradley, 1st Leices- j tcr Regiment, all on January 6. Armourer-sergeant D. Dolaney. 2nd Kin g.a Royal Rifle Corps; Gunner Dudd, 69th Battery Royal Field Artillery; Private Taylor, 18th Hussars, all on January 7 Corporal right, 1st Devonshire Regiment, died of dysentery on January 7. The General of Communications at Cape Town telegraphs that Bombardier Thomas Cooper and Gunner F. Charges Fearn, Royal Horse Artillery, were slightly wounded at Rens- burg Oil January 9. Corporal William War:), let Royal Irish Fusi. liers, died on January 8 at Pretoria of chronic dysentery. I Lance-corporal J. Clitheroc, 2nd Coldstream Guards, died at Modder River January 9 of enteric fever. A DAY OF DISASTER FOR THE t BOERS. The "fcotsmau" publishes the following from its London correspondent — The fighting at Ladysmith on Saturday was of the fiercest and most sanguinary character. That, I am able to say, is the purport of fur- ther official news received from Natal to-day (Tuesday I. It is certain that the Boers had withdrawn a large part of their force from some point of their entrnched p iti,)n near the Tugela Hher for the Purpo?,e of over- whelming Ladysmith. They thr?? masees of men against our position with what seemed the courage of despair. The lrief reports which have been received to-day show that at the crisis of the batt'.e the Boers were at some points in overwhelming strength. They had determined that had to fall, and they had brought up every available man to take part in the assault. In some of the trenches from which some of our men were driven they were outnumbered by five to one It was only the steadfast gallantry of the British soldier that saved the day. He had. time after time, to give way before the t" gger. ing flood of BerB, H..?,ld no?ma?)?a? hie ground when he was grievously outnumbered. hut, the enemy was never arowed to ma I" good h;s position, and. in spite of tho odds against them, our soldiers, with the help of the bayo- net, drove them back with what is described in to-day's official telegram "terrible punish- men! There is, I bel eve no ?nfirmati.n of the report that (ieneral White has taken 4)) prisoners. Such an ichi emf!nt, indeed, could hardly he desired by the garrison. There is no room and sustenance in Ladysmith for pri. soners. ? But the 10s'eB of the B?rs will go for t,? l any they had previously suffered. The battlefield is. in fact. lying so thick with slain that the sanitary condition of the camp may become a very urgent matter. The chief impre?sion gained by to.a"B news h the desperation and strength of the attack. It was no hesitating, half-hearted affair; the rskB and lo?se? had 'n ,,Iculated and dis- u', t ?'t;the Boer commanders had ??-ol 1-1? that, no matter ,) what the pries was. Lady, smith had to be taken. It wns to be to them at any price a day of triumph; it was, indeed, [t day of disaster. As the story becomes known, bit by bit. it will be founrl to bring more and more honour and distinction to the men who fought successfully against heavy odds, It will also I believe, be found that the Boers were driven to the by desperation, and that they concentrated practically their whole Btrength upon it. nn.T.ER'S POSITION. The Btrons point of a force of mounted rifle- men 'says Mr. Spencer Wilkinson in the "Morn- in Post") may he illustrated hy reference to the 11')..ition on the Tugela. The Boer front towards the sooth extends from Springfield on the rig-ht to lnhlawc roun. tain on the left, a distance of more than twenty mtlcs. If this were held by ordinary infantry num- bering about 30.000 men it would be too long a line for that force to defend effcetuaUv; Sir Kedvcrs Buller by placing in front of it a line of outposts and moving his troops in rear of the screen thus formed could attack it at the noint of his choice with 20.000 men, and could carry on his attaek from dawn till afternoon without it being possible for the point attacked to he very strongly reinforced. If he attacked either flank reinforcement? from the other flank would he. when he began, R day's march distant, and reinforcements from a point in rear of the centre would be several hours before they could arrive, But as the Boer troops move not on foot, hat on horseback, their reinforcements can cross a given stretch of country at three of four times the puce of infantry. Accordingly, a general who. with a body of foot, has to attack a body of horse. even though the weapon of both sides is the rifle, is ahl1oet. if not entirely, deprived of the power of anticipating his enemy in the concentration of a superior force at a particular point of the battlefield.

HOW THE SUFFOLKS FACED DEATH. rntESS ASSOCIATION SPECIAL TELEGRAM] I RENSBuRG, Monday. The official statement with regard to the n:ishap to the Suffolks eaye: — "Colonel Watson at midnight marched his force in c'ose column to the top of a hill, which he intended to hold. "On arriving there he assembled his officers and was addressing them at daybreak when the enemy poured in a volley at only thirty paces distance. "The colonel. adjutant, and two other officers were killed, the Suffolks having scarcely fired a shot. "The rear fled back to the pickets, 1,000 yards away, someone having shouted 'Retire.' "About 150 remained. "They lost heavily, and were compelled to surrender." REXSBURG, Monday. An official statement with regard to the mishap to the Suffolks states that Colonel Wat. son at midnight marched his force in close column to the top of the hill, which he intended to hold. On arriving there he assembled his officers and was addressing them at daybreak, when the enemy poured in a volley at only 30 paces distance. The colonel, the adjutant, and two other officers were killed, the Suffolks having scarcely fired a shot. The rear fled back to the pickets. 1,000 yards away, someone having shouted "Retire." About 150 men remained. They lost heavily, and were compelled to sur- render.—Reuter's Special Service. fNote.—The above appeared in our third edi. tion yesterday.1 [PRESS ASSOCIATION SPECIAL TELEGRAM.] RENSBURG, Monday. Since the mishap to the Suffolk Regiment General French's operations have been unim- portant. All our positions are held, and several recon- naissances have been made. The enemy are jealously guarding their com- munications to the north. ["Tnn:s" TF.J.F.(;lL\YJ RENSBURG, Monday. Our troops are still holding the position on the enemy's right flank, commanding the Colesberg Bridge road. The men and horses are now resting in the Rensburg Camp. BOER VERSION OF THE FIGHTING. [DAL/.IKL'S TELEUKAM.l LOURENCO MARQUES, Monday (7.55 p. Dispatches from the Boer position at Col. t berg, dated the 6th in»t., have been received containing details of the Boer version of the fighting there. General 8choem;in had been defending the ridge of hills surrounding Colesberg for five days, which fi.ish ?? with h.?v?, fighting, mixed with rtill' 'y fire for 36 hours nu oll?ly. The movements of the British on Friday developed into a determined assault upon the Boer trenches, when the Nasers (? Mausers), assisted by the Transvaal Maxim battery, decided the day in favour of the forces of the Federals along the whole line. The trenches and kcpjes occupied by tho Doers were stormed gallantly by the Aus- tralians, but a useless sacrifice of men ensued. A terrific dash was made upon the Boer position near Colesberg by a company of Lancers. They manoeuvred with the greatest boldness, but met with heavy loss, leaving nearly half cf heir entire ,quadron on the field during their wild attack. The British infantry followed up, but the Boer sharpshooters played great havoc among them at close range. Sixty bodies were found below the positions, and their colonel, mortally wounded, was also found. The Rand Mounted Police behaved admirably. At the time the mes-age was dispatched the n'i.g was slackening, but the B-?, reported that 80 far they had over a hundred prisoner" including eight officers. Their lo*se;s amounted to 30 killed and wounded.

NEWS FROM PRETORIA. PREIOKIA, Saturday (Via Iourenco Marques, Monday). A telegram from the Boer calllp before Lady. smith this morning reports that after hard fighting during the night the commandos sue- ,,(?d?!d in torming the plateau nd ridge over* h,c;,d:i'\Og at :h :anpie ¡.J;: smith. The new gold tax will be rigidly enforced. NewM has been received of the death through illness of Mr. Stoffeltosen, a well-known mem- ber of the VolI,sraad, The Government has accepted some of the melllUers of the ambu- lance corps sent by Sir James Sivewright, but will not accept anything personally from him. The latest reports received by the Govern- ment show that everything is quiet at Mafe. king, Colenso, and Modder River.

MODDER RIVER. NAVAL GUNS SHELLING THE BOER POSITION. [PRESS ASSOCIATION SPECIAL TELEGRAM] MODDER RIVER. Monday. Yesterday afternoon the naval guns shelled the Boer position, and again this morning. Reports have reachcd the camp that we infticted considerable loss, and Jacobsdal is said to contain many Boers wounded by the recent shell fire. The Boers fired over 300 shells, knocking down one man, but he was uninjured. It is .1?,te" (I hte he enemy are busily engaged mounting a big gun. The naval gunners prevent them from work- ing during the day. The effects of Colonel Pilcher's raid to Sunny- side are already apparent. The rebels are thoroughly nervous as to the consequences of their disloyalty. The lte,t reports tat? that the Boers have' not gone to .uglas since the evacuat. n Colonel Pilcher. The naval guns continue shelling the Boer position. THE HOSPITALS AT ORANGE RIVER. [PRESS ASSOCIATION SPECIAL TELEGRAM.] ORANGE RIVER, Tuesday. During the present lull in the fighting the hospitals here are almost empty. AH serious case3 ha?e b"n transferred to the hospital camp at Wynberg. Large quantities of medi- cal comforts, including minerals, preserves, fruits, tobacco?, furniture, and clothing, arj stored in each hospital. These are much appreciated by the men, who are very sensible of the great kindness of the donors. Among the latter is the little town of Cradock, which, though a Dutch centre. forwarded over L200 worth of goods for the sick and wounded. The troops on the station are enjoying excep- tionally good health.

TERRIBLE EXPLOSION AT LEEDS STEELWORKS. LOSS OF THREE LIVES. Three men lost their lives and several others were seriously injured by all cxplc- j sion which occurred on Thursday morning at Leeds Steelworks. A shift of about fifty men were engaged on one of the fur- naCH, which had not been working well, and suddenly there was a tremendous explosion, wrecking the furnace, and b?oiv- Ü:g out the copper, with quaii?,. of coke and other material. The accident is believed to be du to an accumulation of gas. One man, named Jesse Barnett. 2G, died on the way to the hospital, and two otbers-Barney Q'Grady. 23, and William Henry Kirby, 23-died subsequently in the infirmary. William Crawthorne died during the evening, making the fourth death. Two serious cue, remain in the infirmary, six other 1nen :Ire out-patients, and, in addition, eleven were .lightly hurt.

ANTI-BOER FEELIXG AT NEW YOHK. Xew York, Thursday.—A remarkable scene occurred last night at the dinner of the Albany Society at Delmonicos. About 15') guests were present. Judge Woodward, eta intimato frienu of Colonel R00seyeldt, gOYCrnor of Xew York State, responded to the toast of "The Dutch of Albany and of South Africa." He had prepared a lengthy !?p?e,h, the first portion of which was devote d to the Dutch of Albany. When he approached the theme of the Dutch of South Africa the guest? began to t ?lk and laugh, and otherwi.e annoy the speaker, and when Judge Woodward i)tg;\n tu praise the Boers an open outbreak of displea- sure ensued, and the speaker was unable to proceed. One of the guesLs climbed 011 a chair and shouted Order." A small minority cheered, and the rest hi-sed. lfr. Woodward attempted in vain to fini-h his 'peech, but wa< able to shout, in a ?.i,e which ail could hear, "I want to propose the toast of tha; grand old tat3maJl. the William the 8;hll of South Africa, one of the most impressive person:llities i'.live—old OOlll Pau: Kr>1ger" There were a few cheers, but President Krusret-'s name was gr??t?ll -.vith a qorm of hi-ses. A; the insti- gation of "I' of the guests the band broke into the strains of "Tommy Atkins," whkh wu enthusiastically 'he,?".d, although a few of the guests hiø;ed, ,-Rellter,

SOLDIERING FOR SCHOOLBOYS. OPINION OF PROMINENT EDUCATIONISTS. A CHORUS OF APPROVAL. We liare been to Ir.e pains to ascertain tho opinions of Velf: educationists on the suggestion thrown out at the CArmrrthenshire County B;r'y tat a ('1(kt corps should be raheti in cnneetion wlih each county school. Mr Joseph Rosier, chairman of the Swansea School Bcurd. on being asked if the Swansea Board T.\ere likely to approve of a scheme of n.trainiig for the hoys, said he couVl not anwer for the board. He was a W.I,li- inau and Nonconformist, bat he had no con- fidence tltat oil such a subject there mipht not be SOIl1 oppcsitiQ12 on the part of *-ome ::If hi 5 reihren He had often been taken to ta-K "n the football question. Whether they would !ikc military drl:l was another matter. However, the present board, he thought. wa nrcre llltly to d;al well with a general top:" of the kind than the previous one. He should say the prrJeet cuht to be "ell received, but there was no telli" "allt surely," ejaculated the reporter, "the ordinary patriotism which pervades the county has reached the XOlleonfor:mistiio?" "Conscience do you call it?" said Mr. EoFter. "Welt, I don't know. All I can j-ay IS tha1 to-day I wa in company with most cf the board, and they were quite divided Into two camps on this w ;r quc-tion. 1hrc wore lieewith the BJers, and those with the Lritish.' Mr, Rc-ser i. a member of the povernfnff b, dy 01 Swansea Intermediate School. Asked as to the prospect of Mich a proposal there, he remark* d liial h? should «ay that there would be fin almost unanimous feeling in favour. Mr. A. W. Haiden, clerk to the Swansea School Board, was "lFO seen, Mr. Haiden said he could see no difficulty in the way of train- ing the boys and forming corp" in the schools, and the competition would lead to good results. The Swansea Board already employed J Mr. Donaldson an Army veteran, who had done wonders in the way of military training with the boys d the various beard schools. The boys took to it splendidly, and they got excellent physical drill cut out of it, whilst their annual "display" was very creditabl?. Of course, the boys had no arms. but once when cutlasses were served out for an exhibition the dexterity displayed was sur- prising. Of course if shooting "'s r,q i red. there wouid be so; xic ground: f 0 bjertion, but. "s c ould be seen, there was already the groundwork cf military instruction in the board schools of Swansea, and he (Mr. Haiden) could not see why it 5holfd not be incrcasci at very email expenso. To the question whether the board would Je in favour. tir Hald-en said he thought that ;t would-more from the point of view of physical training, perhaps, than of martial proficiency. Dr. Turpin, principal of the Swansea Inter- mediate School. said he had no doubt that cadet corps couid be raised in tho school over which he presided, and that it would be well taken up, The only question was Ieth2. 8uch a movement would last after the present excitement had died away. Drilling was dull work, and when it came to combine it with the Il,e of weapons there might be objection's. II2 hardly saw how the beard schools could take it tip The boys would bo leaving school at the age at wh.ch they wou:d be required, and the number of proper age in cach wouid not be great, enough to get up a corps from cach. The tl.I1;"U)I,1' ):J'¡è1t be met. l1('rh:II", by (,0Inhi:at! OPIXIOXH IN NEWPOKT. Mr. T. W. I'hillip?, B.A.. head-master of the Newport Intermediate School for bnYA, when interrogated on the. feasibility of the forma. tion of a cadet corps íJl county .cho)<- said that h had for some time past been consider- ing a like echem?. The suggestion was con- veyed to him privately by a local educa- tionist. and. of course, when made applied to h; own school qaitc independently of the othel" county schools. Mr. Phillips, however, mentioned at the outset tha> the keystone of ths difficulty was th uual one of expense. For a cadet corps, such as might reasonably be expected from intermediate school boss. the uniform alone would cost nearly £3. "This. of course, is prohibitive." were the words of the head-master. 6. it appeared to the questioner. but when questioned as to what part the Charity Com- missioners would play in the scheme, and esperially what proportion of the expense they conld be relied on to furnish, Mr. Phillips pointed out that the above-mentioned sum might be rerfuced. That wou'd. however, entirely depend or. the good graces of the Cen- tral Welsh Board and H12 Charity Commis- fiÍoner-for the former body "recommended" all changes of Ccheme to the latter, and in the case of grants, that body, in turn, "recom- mended" to the Treasury—aud they were more er lers agreed to. One thing termed plain to Mr. Phillips, and that there wou!d be no diffi- culty in military spirit and camaraderie; only from the heavy cost of clothing. A "hoys' brigade" uniform of a cap. belt, and shoulder- haud would not do. nor meet War Office regu- lations as at present formed. CARDIFF EDUCATIONALISTS. Mr. Lewis Williams; (chairman of the Cardiff School Board), when approachcd by our repre- sentative. said that he had not yet considered the matter carefully, but in a few days Le would be a he to give an opinion. Dr. Trehamo had no hesitation in pronounc- ing h.mself in favour of cadet corps being formed at. the schsoh. and added that he cou:d se* no reason why our lad should not be made as efficient in miMtaiy <i:i!l us they were in footbaU. cricket, and other pastimeo. MERTHYR IN OPPOSITION. .Air. cnarics uwen, M.A.. headmaster of the Merthyr County School, in an interview 1\ith one of our representative? eaid that, whilst he saw many advantages accruabb from the fcrmatiou of a cadet corp; in every couuty school for boys, yet he thought thy were more than counterbalanced by the disadvantages. Th; movement would foster a military fcpirit. and hi-3 conviction was that, next to alcohol, militarism was the greatest enrse of modern time;, Tho good results which would follow in tLe creation of H smart nnd aire* bearing, it seemed to hiJn, were already sufficiently "rcured in his pchnol 1;y the drill which is ,t pre; ent being given by a properly qualified instructor. Our reporter also saw some of the governors of the tchool, who expressed them- selves dccidedly avr; to the proposal, :u.<d similar views were pronounced by several mem- bers of tho school b(),ud who were interviewed. LETTER FROM MISS E P HCOHES. To the Editor of the "Western Mail. 8ir,-I rend with n1uch rcgrpt in your issue f tl)-day a suggestion that "joldiering" shouirl he introduced into our Welsh schools. I regret tiJ1 n10rc that the idea was started in Canu: r. ihcnshire. and that the honoured names o Lady Hill--J ohnes and Sir Lewis Morris are connected wi:h it. Kvery British citizen must fiv.d th grc:(te4 satisfaction in the- magnifi- (cut re-porsc of the Empire in (;l.. difficult, and critical position. It i. however, of eOJEidcrahle i:nport3.nce t1:at we s :.L'¡ll(1 preserve cur character for sober ( 'l1.m" sense, and ;.Lot he carried off our lcc; by a wave either of fright or ill-considered e¡;Hl. siasm. Ths s.crious. and terrible duty of fitt- ing for our country is surely not a duty t 1J.' we need CItl11h:lsi..t> to our school-children, J' all means le tt'; have for all our schools cap- ful medical inspection, ccicntific ;nna2- tics. and out-of-door lame, let us try in ever,- way to Ünproye the physique ûf our Ijo.vk r.n-i girls (it s. probably, more necessary and more important, fer olJyiou reasons, to d) this in the case of the girls than in the ease of tho boyf; let us preach the tlhics of citizenship as eloquently as possible ami in our contiuua- tion ard technical schools let us prepare our ør"oo]-r!J.;lùrr" to help to save life by ambu- lance corps. ntir-ing courses, swimming lessons, lire drill, &c" but that lait terrible resort to r

STOP RESS. I This Space is Reserved for Important News received after we have gone to Press. I A LOAN TO PORTUGAL. Lisbon. Thursday.—In the Chamber of Depu- tic. to-dax Sellor Franco, leader of the Conser- vative Minority, asked the Minister for foreign Affairs for information regarding he Anglo-German agreement on the subject of a loan to Portugal, the guarantee being ° the Colonial Customs receipts. The Minister declared that no communication had been made to the Portuguese Government regarding ilie text of the agreement, but that at he time of the conclusion of the ?wr?ment 'he :i2:'I'n, ccf Britain ::Jl:. I had affirmed their loyalty in respect of the integrity of the Portuguese pos,essions,- Keuter. Columbus, Thursday,-The Ohio House or Keprceentatives, by a party vote, has indefi- nitely postponed action on the resolution (x. pressing sympathy with the Boers, the Repub- licans voting for postponenierit,-Reuter.

STRANGE STOHY FROM THE I MODDER RIVER. With reference to the reported collapse in the health of Lord Methuen at Magersfontein, a Chippendale correspondent states that in- quiries made in the neighbourhood of Lord Methuen's Wiltshire home unfortunately point to tha substantial accuracy of the statement. It sostus that upon the occasion of his recei> nghis wound the general's charger reared violently, throwing Its rider heavily to the ground. Severe spinal and other injuries are said to have supervened, and to this fact is pre- sumably attributable the inactivity of the Western Division. A REMARKABLE STORY. A GALLANT COLONEL ORDERED HOME. Inaccurate and misleading rumours con- cerning a gallant colonel who has been sent home from Modder (says the London corre- spondent of the "Birmingham Daily Gazette") are in circulation, and, as the matter has been mentioned in "Truth," I feel justified ?in repeating what are. I beiieve, the real fac:s,¡ The gallant officer in quetion is Lieutenant-' colonel Bloomfield Gough, commanding the 9th LIEUTENANT-COLONEL B. GOUGH. Lancers. At the close of the battle of the Modder River Lord Methuen ordered Colonel Gough to charge. The colonel explained that his regiment was utterly unfit to charge, the horses being quite worn out, and that he could not do it. I am tol!ll that at this time the hors3 had been at work for about twenty l?o?r,?. Lord Methuen repeated the order, but it was not ob?yed, and Lord Methuen thn rode up, nd in the f?,c of the reiment u/ed an insulting expression to its colonel, and, further, he reported him to Sir Redvera Buller, who ordered him home, presumably to be tried by court-martial. Need I say that universal sym- pathy is with Colonel Gough? If he is tried, and can make good his defence of physical im. possibility, he will certainly be acquitted, The one thing which justifies disobedience to a military order is impossibility, and the ques- tion is whether even a DreyfU3 court-martial would decide that it was possible to charge a determined and brave enemy with a regiment of cavalry whose horses were utterly exhausted by twenty hours' duty. Colonel Bloomfield Gough must not be con- fused with Colonel the Hon. Hugh Gough, grandson of the famous Field-marshal Lord Gough, who was released from h's duties 13 J\V:le:s ;:d sar'¡S tugse a command on the line to Kimberley. Gough is one of the most frequently recurring of military names, for. bid, tho colonels, there ?ir no fewer than three Goughs of general's rank. There is Lord Cal- thorpe's brother, Lieutenant-general Somerset Gough-Calthorpe. and there are the two Irish brothers, both full generals and both wearing the V.C.. namely, Sir Charles Gough and Sir Hugh Gough. 1 daresay there are others, for I have not been through the Army list.

FRENCH OPINION ON THE WAR. DAI.ZIF.T.'S TEI.KGlt \M.] PARIS, Thursday. In announcing the arrival of Lord Roberts and his staff in South Africa, most of the rapsrs repeat their opinion that he has come too late upon the scene of action to avert the final victory of the Boers. The "Fisaro" this morning publishes a long letter from a it English officer, a captain, now p,iso n?, with the Boers at Pretoria, and hr:rhi'Jf te: e .ot tits monotony of life nearly drives him mad, and he ?i.h?. time and again that he had 'occn killed. The Boers tre?t their prisoners well, and often visit, them, but are onvinced that the British behave ru?lly to their prisoners, while nothing will convince them that Dum Dum bullets are not ,"od by the British troops. None of the pri.?.n?ri are 111.?,d to ?- paper, and all are consequently entirely igno- rant ,f what is going on in th? outside world. The "Gauloi?" say": so ?'. pulliqh,r;? ontemplite the issu o f r i t :rPIen;e aiJue papl; ;,Br;);! warned by the police agontB that proceedings will be taken against them in the event of publication taking place. A number of street hawkers Eelling similar publications have also been arrested, and their stocks confiscated. The papers eontinue to discuss Mr. Balfour's speech, which they all take points to an eariy split in the Cabinet. A special dispatch from Berlin to the "New York Herald" (Paris edition) says:—"I learn from the very best source that the Germa n Ambassador in London hts received verbal assurances from the British Government which have given satisfaction here. Xo written answer has yet been received from London to the (lerman Note, but no doubt is felt her that Great Britain wiU have to )).ty\u? indem^ nity for the seizure of the German steamers. Public opinion is now much quieter through. out GermaHv." In a criUca) survey of the situation in South In ,iticli! Temp?" mi'.itary expert ays:- Everything is ha.ti, and disorganised, and ?orst of all, the splc? (it i? Brithh troops are beginning to lose confidence in their leaders. Yet. in spite of the deplorable position of the" British forces, there is every reason to helieve, not only that the British Government will not accept, any offer of intervention, but that it will continue the struggle for a long time to come. Pubhc opinion in Eng!and appears to! bo unanimous in the determination to sL? the war ::Jtlee::ernti'i e t:j calm determination and his steadfastness in face of misfortune that 110 early solution of the crisis call be looked for. It must be brought about by the COUNe of events, No purpose would be served by proposing any mediation just now. M. Deschanel, in delivering his inaugural address in the Cha.mber of Deputies to- day, appealed to all Frenchmen to sink party differences and form a nation united against the wnrld. Great changes, he said. were goin on in Piurope and the worid :it larg(?. and how. he a skd, could France make her influence felt if she "re absorbed in internal quarrels?

DELIGHT AT SIR GEORGE WHITE'S VICTORY. From the "Daily Telegraph" Special Correspondent. By Special Arrangement for Simultaneout Publication in the Western Mail." CAPE TOWN, Monday (4.10 p.m.). Two steamers, the Avoca and the Gascon, the heralds of the fleet conveying the Sixth Division, have arrived since Saturday. The former has landed small drafts of the Gordons, the Argyll and Sutherland High- landers, and the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. Recruiting for the Colonial mounted forces is proceeding briskly. 6.0 p.m. News of General Sir George White's smashing defeat of the Boer attack on Ladysmith has just been circulated in a spscial issue of the "Cape Times." The city is wildly exultant. People were becoming uneasy at the absence of defi- nite movements, but this crushing repulse has aroused every soul to the highest pitch of enthusiasm. Nothing else is dis- cussed by eager groups in the streets. We gave out the news to the newly- arrived troops at the docks. The men cheered frantically for General White. Nothing has been heard of the escaped Boers from the nrison ship Manila.

BRITISH CASUALTIES. The following was received from the War Office on Thursday evening:- "From the General of Communications, Natal, to the Secretary of State for War. PIETERMARITZBDBG, Jan. 10, "Referring to my telegram of the 8th inat. No. 3,109 Private R, D, Marney, 2nd Royal Irish Fusiliers, prisoner at Pretoria, is alive and well. The following casualties have occurred in Colonel Plumer's force:- WOUNDED. "Trooper Arthur Frederick Lord. October 26 (slight wound in arm). Correspondent E. M. Hutchinson, M.L.C., October 29 (foot). Cor- poral Bullock, October 29 (shin). Corporal Calder, October 29 (knee) Trooper Freedmont, October 29 (both thighs). M. Sherry, October 28 (revolver aceident-sinc dead). "AFISSIN G Troopers Harry Oarptnter and Jack M'Laren, October 25,"

CONTRABAND OF WAR. t-rom the "Daily Telegraph I Special Correspondent. By Special Arrangement for Simultaneous Publication in the Western Mail." PIETERMARITZBURG, Monday Evening. A thorough examination of the Bundos- rath's cargo is being prosecuted at Durban by the naval authorities. To-day a quan- tity of flour and rice for Delagoa Bay and ric" for Beira were discharged, but no cargo for the Transvaal has yet been landed: The discharge is expected to occupy ten days- THE REAL DECISION. The Central Rews says:—The British Govern- ment have decided that, although the rights of neutrals will receive due consideration, tttc work of stopping contraband of war from entering the Transvaal shall not be made a dead letter. A somewhat misleading statement was published in the evening papers to the effect that so long as the ship's manifests did not say the cargo was intended for the enemy it would not be liable to seizure. The Central News learns that if. directly or III- directly, the foodstuffs on ships arrested by her Majesty's war vessels is intended finally for the enemy's use it will be seized and co:t. ii-cated as contraband of war. A quantity of flour and other foodstuffs consigned to Delagoa Bay recently for the use of the Boers is to be diverted to the use of the British trool" The British officials acting in these matters in South African waten have been instructed that where such action is legiti- mate full market value of the goods is to be paid to the owners or carriers. Wherever a cargo stopped by British war,hips proves to be the goods of a neutral bound for another neutral the cargo so stopped is to be released and compensation for the resulting delay is to be paid to the parties suffering from such delay. The officers of the prize court at Durban have received cabled instructions from the Government to the effect that 0 sharp look-out is to be kept for subterfuges, and the Government is determined to exercise its logical rights of search and detention. THE BUNDESRATH. [CENTRAL KEWS n;I,EGu.nn DURBAN, Monday Afternoon. Tho Rundesrath cargo is slowly being dis- charged here. A considerable space upon the quay has been barricaded off, and within this the cargo, as it is taken out, is landed and examined. So far on:y rice and flour has been landed, but investigations will be carried out thoroughly. All the cargo will be examined. The work of discharging is very slow, and, it is expected, will last ten days more. The car. penters and crew of the Bundesrath, with some b'uejackets, are in the holds of the vessel open- ing the heavier cases there. They are work- ing under the supervision of naval officers. [HKl'TEH'S TELEOUA.M.; y. utKbl. Thursday. Smral morning PJPer:L:t;:tur; P.rti?? in the R?i?l?.tag hav c?gr-d to inter- peaate the Government regarding the position to be taken up in the matter of the seizure of German ships by British war vesls. The debute on the interpellation is expected to take place at the beginning of next week. AMERICA AND BRITAIN'S REPLY. Washington. Thursday.—At the State I>?pa:t- ment the BritHI Government's ?ply is -y ,i,ti,f? "t.ry, ?. far it ge., disposing of cll character of ,ome of the goods seized, but !t does not Anally decide, broadly, whether or not foodstuffs are to be regarded as contra- band. Briefly, Ur, Choate reports that the answer is highly satisfactory, being in a broad and liberal spirit. Great Brita'n assured the position that foodstuffs in transit for a hostile destination can be regarded zqi contraband only when they are intended s supplies for the enemy's forces. It is not suffi- cient that they should be capable of being used for the benefit of the enemy. It must be shown that they are so, in fact, through their destination at the time of seizure. Great Britain does not claim that any of the Ameri- can good, on board the Mashona or the Maria, are contraband. As regards the goods seized on the Beatrice, the British Government is still investigating the facts of the case. Mr. Choate, in his message, summarised succinctly the authorities upon which Great Britain relies to sustain her position, and as this position is one of those already assumed by the State Depart- ment on previous occasions they are, of course, regarded as convincing. Lord Pauncefote had an interview with Mr. Hay shortly after Mr. Choate's message was received. There is nothing in the Ambassador's communication touching the rolease of the seiaed goods, but it is inferred from the statement that the goods on the two first-mentioned vessels have not heen found to bo contraband, an,1 that they will or have already been released. It i- believed that uncertainty as regards the Beatrice's cargo is based on the imperfect knowledge liS to its ownership. The American consigners have positively stated that they have not been paid for the goods, and that the drafts of the consigners are not collectable until the goods have arrived safely at their destination. The next step will be the collection of data to establish the character of the Beatrice's goods. —lteuter.

AFRICAN TRAVELLER ON THE SITUATION. [CENTHAL NEWS TELEUHAM.] nOME, Thursday Evening. f. Ruggieri. a well-known African traveller, has iust arrived here from the Transvaal. Interviewed tn-day, he gave it as his opinion th,1t the Boer army numbers 80.000 men, all mounted. The Transvaal Government has heavily mined the Johannesburg goldflelds against a possible attack. M. Ruggieri adds that the blacks within the Transvaal and Free State territories hate the Boers very much, more than they do the English, and on this matter the Boers do not deceive themselves. M. Ruggieri thinks it extremely probable that the blacks only await an English invasion to rise in insurrection against the Bjers.

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YEOMANRY CORPS. LORD CHESHAM'S FORCE. The Press Association says that considerable strides were on Thursday made with the pre- parations for the despatch of Lord Chesham's "Veomanry Force to South Africa. In the even- ing the following official statement was issued at headquartersmeeting of èommandin officers of tl? Yeomanty was held at head- quarters this morning, and was very largely attended. In fact, every regiment excepting one was represented. Among others present Were Colonel Lord Chesham, Lord Valentine, Lord Lonsdale, Lord Harris, the Right Hon. W. H. Long, M.P., the Hon. W. L. Crichton. Messrs. A. G. Lucas and E. W. Bickett. who form the committee, with Lord Galway. Wind- Nor. Scarborough. Bolton, Hertford, Colonel Roileston. Colonel the Hon. 0, Craven, and many others. Numerous details with refe- rence to horses, equipment, transport, &c.. were considered. The officers to command regiments were selected, and their names have been sent to the War Office for approval by the Adjutant-General. When approval has been signified the names will be issued to the Presj." It has been decided that the transport of the Imperial Yeomanry Fore- to South Africa will be under the control of the Admiralty. The date of departure of the first detachment has not yet been definitely decided, but it will cer- tainly not be earlier than the 25th inst. THE YEOMANR\ HOSPITAL. I me Bi??l;.gh?m Bedstead-makers' Associa- !ion on Thursday telegraphed to the Countess ti." Thursday teleg?r 'p I'l give the 523 bi?ds of W" r?i,k that they would give the 523 beds required for the Imperial Peomanry Hospital Sir Ernest Cassei has also sent Lady Warwick a cheque for JE500 for the hospital fund. IN THE COUNTRY. NORTH NOTTS. A sena-ott banquet was given at Retford on Thursday evening to :rft1llatt oettrh I ?..d Rangers, North -N.tt,, ,,h. are itbout to proceed to Sou h ¡;;c; i Service. The colonel of the regiment (Viscount Galway) presided, and read letters from the Duke of Cambridge and the Dean of Rochester, His Royal Highness heartily congratulated the men -p.,? the no b:. pi?it which, ?ilh many others they had displayed. The ;n, m.; was formerly chaplain of the regiment, expressed regret that he was a trifle too old for active service, hut oil id he,had sent them his son to act as their chaplain in the field.

REINFORCEMENTS. MILITIA FOR THE FRONT.. Our Aldcrshot correspondent telegraph?: — The first Militia battalion to leave for South Africa was the 3rd Durham Light Infantry, who were also the first to volunteer for active service. The battalicn left in two positions On Thursday morning for embarkation with three other battalions, forming the first con- tingent of the Militia force for the front. The first portion, numbering 580, was under the command of Lieutenant-colonel R. B. Wilson; while the second half of the battalion, totalling 430, was under the command of Major Gr;m- shaw. All ranks departed an hour and a half later, and joined the first portion at Southampton, embarking on the transport Umbria. Major N?l' late !he 1st Bat- t??lion, ,I?. had obtained p?r;?,is??n to r- with the Militia, accompanied the 3rd Bat- talion. The men were in marching order, without khaki, with the exception of the hel- met covers, the khaki clothing being carricd in kit bags for use on the voyage. The bat- talion compared most favourably with the Regular battalions that have left Aldershot for South Africa both as regards the age and physique of the men, many of whom wear the Egyptian medal and star. There were among the ranks about 50 of the 4th Battalion, each of whom received a present of tobacco and a pipe from their hon. colonel, Lord Londonderry. There was no band present to play the battalion to the station, an order having been given that, oil account of the death of Major-general Prior, who was to have command of the 15th Brigade in South Africa, no bands were to play in the district for three days. Nevertheless, the men got a hearty fareweJ from their Regular and Militia comrades in Aldershot. The body of Major-general Prior was re- moved on Thursday from Aldershot in an oak aud lead casket to Lichfield, where a military funeral is to be accorded the remains by the 38th Regimental District. The service will take place at Lichfield Cathedral. I ta;'eP!st 1isc::10a;ThursdaY ig- nalised the departure of four Militia batta- lions from Southampton for South Africa. There embarked on the Ctinard liner Umbrh. 30 officers and 600 men of the 3rd Battalion Durham Light Infantry, under Colonel R. B. Wilson; 22 officers and 8JO men of the 6th Royal Warwickshire Regiment, under Colonel H, L. B. M'Caimont, and 30 officers and 750 men of the 4th Battalion Derby Regiment Sherwood Foresters, under Lieutenant-colonel L. Pearce. In addition, the Nile also left the port, having on board 25 officers and 700 men of the 4th Royal Lancaster Regiment, under Lieutenant- cJ!onel W. Kemrnis. The men compared favourably with many of the Infantry Regi- ments which have previously sailed. The Houth Lancasters looked specially smart and soldierly. The troops had a hearty send-off on their departure. The Nile proceeds to Queenstown, where she will embark the 9th King's Roval Rifles Shropshire has now selected a full company of 115 officers and men from the local battalions of Rifle Volunteers for duty in South Africa, and Captain W. H, Trow, 1st Shropshire, has been chosen to com- mand it. The transport Glengyle. for Cape Town, left Gravesend on Thursday. She takes the Seventh Division ammunition column, and a detach- ment of the Fourth Division field hospital, numbering 132 men. The Draemar Castle, from Southampton for Cape Town, left Las Paimas on Wednesday Afternoon. The transport Montfort. homeward bound from Port Natal. has arrived at St. Vincent. JAPANESE OFFER THEIR SERVICES New Ycrk. Tliursday.-A telegram from Van- couver (British Columbia) states that ths Japanese Consul has officially offered a com- pany, -ele,!t?d from Japanese re?ident, of that! place, fully armed and drilled, for semice in j the war in South Africa.—Dahiel. MR. ADALBERT HAY SHADOWED IN LONDON. New York. Thur,day,-A Boer agent at Washington is reported to have said that President Kruger will refuse to receive iitr. Adalbert Ray, the newly-appointed American Consul to the Transvaal, because Mr. Hay has been '.hadowed during his visit to London, where he has been seen in daily conference with rffteials of the British Foreign Office.— Dalziel. REMARKABLE ENTHUSIASM. Ottawa, Thursday.—The corps forming the Canadian contingent Hill on Saturday Uav« the various cities throughout the Dominion, where thy have been selected for service against the Boers, for Halifax, to embark for the Cape Everyone of the officer. will receive fro )mbJic eub?eriptions field glass, r?'. ver7 and 125 dollars in money, .d ev?rv private w,I reœive a .ilver match-box and ?Sl dollars. Their guna gn cirria.-?, spader and other artiels have been painted khaki -I..r, In addition to these gratuities the towns from which the diffrcnt corps of Volnnt?rs come gIn their local representa- tives sums of money varying from 13 to 100 dollars. Colcn1 Mackie, commanding tho C Battery, 8tand, 6ft, 3i.. in his stocking?, and had been presented with a horse costin 400 dollars. One thoughtful ct which will be much appreciated by the Volunteers his been donVby Mr John Hanna. He has railway restaurants oil route to Halifax, and has in. vited the Volunteers to •cat gratis at all his restaurants on the way there. The Bank of Ottawa contributes 1 000 dollars to buy tl1¿ men delicacies for the voya¡::e.-Dalziel.

WARSHIPS ON THE GREAT LAKES. Washington, Thursday.—The Foreign Com- mittee of the House of Representatives to-day agreed to repart resolutions asking Mr. Hay for information concerning the status of an agrc2m2nt between the United States and Great Britain which is said to prohibit the building, arming, or maintaining of more than a single war vessel on the great lakes of America.—Reuter.

PEOPLE'S HOTEL OPENED AT LIVERPOOL. Lord Derby 011 Thursday opened a large | people's hotel in the working men's quarter of Liverpool at a cost of £ 17,C<X), which will be worked on the lines of Lord Rowton's homes in London, 6d. per day being the fee for bed- room, lavatories, and cooking. Four hun- dred and fifty single men will be provided for. His lordship enforced the necessity of pro- viding for large numbers of working men who for want of light and fresh air were in many II caes victims of tuberculous diseases, which were often preventable. He paid a high tribute to Lord Rowton for providing similar homes in London.

LORD STftATHCONA AND THE WAR. MUNIFICENT OFFER TO THE I GOVERNMENT. TWO NEW SQUADRONS OF I ROUGH-RIDERS. FITTED OUT AT A COST OF 1,000,000 DOLLARS. TFROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDS"XT.] OTTAWA. Thursday. The Government has under consideration an offer from Lord Strathcona to equip and fit out at his own expense two squadrons, four hundred strong, to be raised in the North-west of Canada fcr service in South Africa. They will be rough-riders from ex-mounted police, plainsmen, and other*. All that the Govern- ment is asked to do is to supply the machinery for enrolling and forwarding, and Lord Strath- cona will defray the entir cost, which will be upwards of a million dcJ¡ars This will be don as ,oon a cable is re?,iv-?d from Mr. Chamberlain. [Baron Strathcona is the High Commissioner for Canada in this country, and is one of the stoutest pillars of the Dominion, and all his life has been given to its service. Before he received hie P-1-?, two 3,?.r. g., he :e::i(:wlSas Ps%ra:na;o Al:de;g;'mit I G.C.M.G. Born in Scotland in IM-? b? entered the Hudson Day Company's service at an early age, and he was the last rcsident J1;)vcrnor of that corporation as a governing body. During the first Riel rebel ion in the Red River ?ettlem?,nts b?' was SP2?;?l Com- mi?sioner, and was thanked by the Governor- General in Council in 1670; in the .ame year he was appointed a member cf the f?r.t Kxccutive Council of the No,th-??.t T rrit.ry, repre- ?.t?d Winnipeg and St. John in the Manitoba Legislature from 1871 to 1874; he was M.P. for Selkirk in the Dominion House of C m-o"? from 1871 to 1878, and for Montreal West for the following nine years. He was Governor of the Hudson By Company. director of the S:, Paul, Minneapolis, and Manitoba Railway, of the Great Northern Railway of Minnesota, and of the Canadian Pacific Railway Com- pany, and president of the Bank of Montreal. Canada and everything Canadian are close to his heart, and the splendid effer he has now made to the Governmnt dictated no less by patriotism than by confi- dence that the sons of the Empire in his favourite land can worthily uphold the best traditions of the QU2en's fighting inen."| THE MOST CUNNING SCOUTS IN THE WORLD. Ottawa, Thursday.—There is a talli of send- ing to South Africa 50 Canadian ludians. who aretthe most cunning scouts in the world. The rejection of the 3font"znma as a troop- ship will cause delay in the embarkation M troops. Another transport will have to be secured.—Reuter.

TO MEET ON THE 30TH I-NST. I The Press Association states that the Queen at Thursday's Privy Council signed a procla- mation further proroguing Parliament to Tuesday, January 30, when the Houses will meet for the despatch of business.

THE LIBERAL PROGRAMME. SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANXERMAN'S PREDICAMENT. The Central News understand* that prepara- tions are being made in the Liberal ranks for a severe attack on the Government in the House of Commons with respect to the pre- parations made for the war. The artillery question is to be brcught before the House. The London correspondent of tho "Western Daily Mercury" says:—It is no secret that the Gcvcrnment expect Sir Henry Campbeil-Ban- r.erman to save them from bitter attacks on War Office management. Had Sir William Harcourt or Mr, Asquith been leader of th party in the House of Commons, official Libe- ralism would have been unhampered; but Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman was War Secre- tary in the last Administration, and some of hL. act. at that time and his departmental sympathies are confidently expected to tie his hands

CORDITE FLOATING IN THE THAMES. During the last few days a large number of cases of cordite have been found floating! in the River Thames between Greenwich' and Gravesend, seA en having bpen picked up off the Woolwich Free Ferry. They have been taken charge of by the Thames police, who have ascertained that they formed part of the cargo of the steamship Francis, sunk off Erith. The cordite was consigned to Woolwich Arsenal to be manufactured into ammunition for South Africa. A single case in the event ofl explosion would have been sufficient to have blown up the largest stean r.

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