The Montgomery County Times and Shropshire and Mid-Wales Advertiser

LORD ROBERTS AT MODDER RIVER. MODDER RIVER Feb. 10th. Lord Roberts arrived here yesterday, and was enthusiastically cheered by the men. Early this morning he visited the camp of the Highland Brig- ade, and congratulated General Macdonald and the Brigade upon their steady conduct during the oper- ations at Koodoosberg Drift.

BRILLIANT WORK BY GENERAL FRENCH. BOER LAAGF-ltb CAPTURED. The following important despatch was issued late OD nigbt by the War Office j— DF: "KILS DRIFT, Wednesday, 8 10 a.m. I.'Tvl 'Roberta to Secretary of Slate for War-. Ge-.ora"' French left this at 10 30 ves<erday morn- irisr wid, three brigades cavalry, Horse Artillery, j anclflluUlIlyd Infantry, including several colonial contingents, in order to seize crossing of Modder distant about 25 miles. He reports at 635 p.m. that he had forced a passage at Klip Drift, and had occupied hills on north of river, capturing three of the enemy's laa- ger y with supplies, while Gordon, 15th Hussars, with his brigade, who had made afeintou Rocdeval Drift, four miles west, had seized it and a second drift between it and Klip and two more laagers. French's performance is brilliant, considering the excessive heat and blinding dust-storm which raged during latter part of the day. Owing to the rapidity of his movement8, French met with but alight opposition, and his iosses are small, Lieutenant Johnson, Innikillirg Dragoons, being the only officer reported severely wounded. Sixth Division was last night on the north bank of the Eiet at Waterneal Drift, and is moving to support the cavalry. Seventh Division is here, and goes on this afternoon. Four officers and 53 men had to be sent last evening in return ox-waggons to the line of rail- way, proch ate with heat and exhaustion.

GENERAL BULLER'S RETIREMENT. SPRIKGFIELD BRIDGE, Friday. The retirei'»o>fc from the position on Yaal Krantz was commenced on Wednesday night. General Hildvard's Brigade, which had relieved General Lyttietnri'* Brigade ou Vaal Krantz, retired during the early iiours of Thursday morning. There had been several small attacks by the j Io)r and conn I erc-attacke by our troops late or. >ved net-day night ou the ridges we had captured, Alter the boers succeeded in massing their strength ou Dc-oru Kiooi, on our right, otiiy two Courses seemed to remain open to General Boiler, lie might iu the first plv.ee, have changed his front, aud stormed Doom Kloof. In the second place, he might, have left the iioers on our right, and tried to Slip through on the west, where the Boer opposi- tion had been weakened. Had he doue tuis he would have incurred the risk of being cut off. It was impossible to use Vaal Krantz as a means of advance, because several l'resh guns had been mounted on Doom Kloof, aud the cumbrous part, of the army iu its advance across the open to Vaal Krantz. wonli have beeu raked bv the tire of these guns. t ne storming m Doom Kioof-a very steep moun- tc-oil11 1 have been terribly costly, and might possibly have proved futile. All Thursday our troops were shelled in- tarmir tent.ly by a single large Creusot gun which the Boers had mounted on Doorn Kloof, but little damage was done. Our ioes this week has not beeu heavy. FKKRE c--mp, Saturday. Despite General Bu'ller's decision not to press the a-lt.nck at Vaal Krautz, he has no thought of abandoning Ladystnith. The attack was not pressed because, although it might have beeu possible for a li^'nt column to get thr-'in;a, ii, wad impossible to take the ar.ny tran- sport. past the uusilenced guns. These successive disappointments prove that the; hills ot Northern Natai are a practically impossible fielu of uperaLiolls against modern weapons. The recent operations, if they have done nothing else, han: at least diverted some attention from Lady MUliuh.

POSITION IN NATAL. DCBHAN, MONDAY. ^o iurther news has beeu received of the move- ments or the Doer outflanking column. The move- xnent III military circles is not, regarded as a serious one. Ü was probably devised as a feint to distract general attention from the main advance. On Friday last our artillery commenced a vigor- ous shelling of Iilangwana Hill, south of theTngeia. The iioer camp there was hastily evacuated. During the whole of last week General Clery, until Le became incapacitated, was particularly active at Uhieveley. Oar men were daily in touch with tho Uoer scouts, and there were constant reconnaissances to ensure our line being kept clear. There were a few casualties, but not many. Another naval gun from, the Terrible has been mounted upon a carriage devised by Captain Scott at the railway workshops. It was tested on the beach here yesterday afternoon in the of a large crowd of teamen, marines, and other specta- tors. Three rounds were tired from the gun, and the experiment appeared to give satisiaction to those most closely interested. CniKVKLKY CAMP, TUESDAY. Twice to-day our mounted troops were iu contact with the Boers. Captain Stewart, cf the South African Light • Hor se, took a squadron to a hill near Stewart's Farm, which lies to our left on the southern side of the Tugela. He advanced ahead of his men to recon- noitre, and his hat was shot off by some Boers who ¡ were concealed from view. The. Boers then opened fire on the led horses, which stampeded towards the Boers, and five were lost. Un our right an advance wae made by 700 mounted troops, the 64;,h 'l)atter v P.F.A., and the Welsh Fusiliers to a hill to the south-east of Iilangwana. The intention was to make a reconnaissance of a position which had often been visited by the Boers. As the advance guard approached the hill, they were fired on by the BoerR, but it was only an affair of outposts unt il the order was given for the force to retire on the completion of the reconnaissance. The guns retired early with, the infantry, hut L it0); the mounted troops were still within a niilt- of he hill the Boers came in sight on the crest and opened a heavy fire on them. l'i i (! Colt's gun section immediately came into action, and did some admirable work. They cer- tainly swamped the Boer fire. Two vif the JWaxims were jammed temporarily after few rounds hRct been fired. The South African Light Horse covered the retreat in succession of squt droits. Sir Bryan Leighton's jsquadjou retired last with the Colt's gun section.

BRJTJSFI WITHL) KA W AL TO RENSBURG. KKNSUCKG, Tuesday. I All the British positions to tbü weRtwanl, incJuÔ. ing Coles Kopand other points which wo long ¡ hell, have had to be abandoned owing to the pres- sure: or a large force, and in view of the mounting of a big Boer glln on Bastard's IN ek which commands the whoie country around. Our force at Slingersfortein has been obliged to withdraw and fall on Rensburg, our eastern fhnk being threatened.

OUR FORCE IN SOUTH AFRICA. III addition to the arm! her of troops mentioned in speech on the amendment to the Address, lie informed the House on Thursday, the 8tu, that several more regiments of militia and 3,000 more yeomanry had been ordered to the front, so that within a short period, Lord Robert3 will have a force of 200,000 men uuder his command, distributed as folljws :-Ptegulars, 128,000; Navy, 1,000; Militia, 21,000; Yeomanry, 8,000; Volunteere, 10,000; Colonials, 26,000 Total, 194,000.

BOER ACCOUNT OF MAGERS- FONTEIN. EFFECTS OF BRITISH ARTILLERY. MASERU, (Basui ohmd), Jon. 18. I have just seen a man who arrived here a few days ago from the front, and he givee me the follow- ing interesting account of his recent experience :— Having been commandeered in the Free Stftte to go and drive the British away, and hearing news each day of the victories of the Dutch in everv w w engagement, with the loss of only a few woullrkd, 1 and mv comrades were in high giee, ano started fn;: of hope of helping to conquer the British. We were with Commandant Diederick's commando, and were ordered to proceed to Kimberley district with ah speed, which we did by forced marches until we met seven wounded Dutchmen who were returning from the front. They inquired why our horses looked so fatigued and footsore. We explained that we were anxious to get at the Red Bull," (Kughsh). They replied Don't be so anxious, it is not all play, as you exrecf, ancl the seven detailed their iiijuries i ii i the shape of wounds which were all serious. They entreated us not to hurry, saying we would prion haye enough of it, and described the fearful battle they had been iu at Modder River. On hearing this our lips dropped and Clr hearts sank, and we took four days to do the remaining four hours' journey, we were so crest-fallen." The narrator of the foregoing was in charge of a waggon when the Sght at Scholz Nek took place, and having viewed it from a kopje, gives the follow- ¡ ing graphic description of the battle :—" The Buers numbered about 14,000 men, consisting of 15 laag- ers, with 13 cannon, and were all' under cover in the bush and sconces or entrenched when fire was opened by the British at a range of about seven miles with the big guns. They came gradually nearer, doing tremendous damage to the Boer en- trenchments and sconces. All I could see after tho bursting of these shells was rocks and earth flying up in the air and rolling down on the men and horses with deadly effect.. I trembled all over from tho force of the cannon, and the lyddite shells playad fearful havoc among the Boers. The vapour and fumes arising from these shells nitde the Boers quite drowsy, while several succumbed. Altogether the battle was a perfect hell upon earth, and fairly put the fear of God in me. 1 had always been told that the British could not shoot, but what I saw a:. 1 that battle thoroughly convinced me that they were experts at the game. My eyes were opened, and still more so when I saw the Dutch falling in all I directions. ¡ When the Boers had the big gun 'laid' up went the English spy-glass, and a few seconds later a shell crashed on the Boer cannon, rendering it use- less. Of the 13 Boer guns which were in action, several were so damaged as to be unworkable. My Field Cornet told me that a tremendous number were killed, and there were so many wounded that the hospitals at Jacobsdal, Boshof, and Bloemfou- tein were quite full. I estimate the number of horses killed and renderqrd unservicable at 2,000. I firmly believe that the idea in the -Boer:ctt-nl) after the battle was over, was that if the British kept on for another hoar it would have been a great victory for them, as the Boers were on the point of e'earing when the British retired. The big guns of the British and their accuracy in firing, coupled with the bravery of the men, seemed to have a chilling effect on the Boers, and the fact of having so many dead comrades lying round them depressed them so much that it is said they communicated with their President with the request to come to terms of peace with the British. To this the Presioent is reported to have replied, "All you Burghers author- ised me to make war with the British, and you must fight to the end, and do your best, as we are fight- ing for a good cause." Some of the bodies were fearfully mutilated, and showed the effect of the British artillery. I was only one of many who were so impressed and alarmed by what we had seen iu fighting with the British that we determined to seek shelter and protectionjin Basutoland.

WESLEYANIS AT THE CAPE. DURBAN, Feb. 9th. The Wesleyan District Synod, sitting at Yerulam, has passed a. resolution declaring the war to be both iust and righteous, and expressing its conviction thai the final settlement, if it is to be lasting, must provide for the supremacy of the British Grown throughout South Africa, and for the government of ail parts of the country in consonance with the principles of British freedom and justice. CAPETOWN, Feb, 8th. The Wesleyan Synod has unauimously adopted a resolution recording its entire approval of the policy of the Imperial Government, and giving uttpcance to the eastern prayer of the members that the military operations now proceeding may speedily result in the success of the British arms, that peace and righteousness may be assured in the land—at) end which it is believed will be attained through the unquestioned supremacy of Great Britain. The liev Mr Nuttall, the Chairman, in forwarding the above resolution to Sir A Miluer for transmission says The Synod represents a large section of the European community, and also a numerous body of Dutch-speaking and coloured inhabitants of the Western Province of unfaltering loyalty." Mr Nuttall adds, The Synod views with the utmost detestation the course pursued by your excellency's enemies and opponents, who traduce your motives and cause the circulation of the basest calumnies. It prays that you may be sustained in the faithful administration of your onerous duties."

LETTER FROM TIIE FRONT. Lance-Sergt Parker Clarke, 1st Scots Guatds, writing to his sister Mrs Richard Jones, Llandy- silio, neai" Oswestry, says:I expect you will be surprised to get a letter from me. I should have written earlier, but we don't get much time to write, but as to-day is Christmas Day we have had a 1ittietime to ourselves. It does not look much like Christmas weather as it is scorchiug hot. There is a regular plague of ílHB, and the dinner to-day is composed more of sand than anything else as the sand storms are awful. Our Christmas breakfast was Quaker Oats and coffee dinner, stewed meat and rice; tea, jam and tea; and 1 believe fcr supper we are going to have biscuits and cheese and a pint of beer. We have had a rough time of i, here as I expect you have seen from the papers. We had a fine voyage out here only it was reported in England that the steamer that brought us had gone down with all hands, which was it una- take, as we landed at the Cape all right. After landing we had three days and three nights in the train to Orange River. We then had a few days rest and then marched to Belmont, found the Boers' position and attacked it at daybreak. It. was a terrible slaughte my regiment was at the front, the order was given to charge and it, was takeu at the point of the bayonet. Tho position was taken and the Boers tied, leaving horses and ammunition behind. A lare number were killed and wounded in my Company and they brought the dead in waggons into the camp for burial. We then went on to Graspan and had another encounter with the enemy bnt the Artillery and Naval Brigade took the leading part and 1 am glad to say we only had a few wounded. We. then went on near the Modder river when an awful battle wa., fought. It started early in the morning it was quite a shower of bullets lasting nearly all day. Our fellows in the trenches had to lie there for 13 hours. If we raised our heads it was a target for a shower of bullets. Our machine gun was blown to pieces and the sergeant in charge was also blown to pieces, but we managed to drive the Boers out. It was a terrible sight next morning to see the dead lying all around. I saw two or three touching sights. There was one poor fellow lying dead had taken a letter from his pocket and had it grasped .1_1- ':a I' L.rJ n.1 in his hand, another Una a CIUIB IU MA ..AUU, A.,U another had a cartridge between his finger and thumb and the breech of his rifle open in the act of loading when he was shot ttirougla the heart. We lost very heavily there, but got in and pttchea camp and very glad to do so, naving been out for two days and a night without food or water. e stayed here for a rest for a few days, as we were about played out, having been engaged in tee battles in less than a week. We tound out that the Boers were occupying a range of hills about six miles from camp. We left here ou a Sunday eve-iing and we were out all the night m pouring rain. We attacked the enemy at daybreak and had a very severe tight, which lasted until aarKuess set in. We spent the night again on the field when it was again very cold, and then started agr.iu a. ta; break. A shell dropued close to me, but as luck wou.d have it, it did not explode. The High an nga/ t- u got right in the enemy's trenches, buu had to retire. They suffered heaviiy, the Boers shooting them down like dogs. Their gallant General got kdleu being snot in four places. The Boars ci.axer treacherously as usual, firing on our ambulances arid flying the white flag. We had to retire to out old camp, the British having suffered very heavily. We got back to camp about 4 p.m. on the Tuesday, having had nothing to eat or drink since we lett here on the Sunday. Our Artillery aiid theii-s exchange a few shots every day, otherwise it is veiy quiet now. We had a parade for all the troops and gave three cheers for the Queen. To-day we expect to push on for Kim oerley, but shall have to drive the Boers from their positiou. When we reach there (all being well) I will write you again. With kind love to you all hoping YOIl all bad a Merry Christmas and wishing you a prosperous New Year. I am glad to say I never felt better in health.

A POOLONIAN AT THE FROXT. Mrs M Owen, 25, Mount street, Welshpool, has received the following letter, dated Jan 14th, from her son, Private T Owens (4319), D Co., Royal i Welsh Fusiliers, Field Force, Naval:—I have read about ihat football match r.t Welshpool between the Boers and Britons and t;m very glad to see that I you at home think about UP out here. We started firing against the Boers at live o'clock his morning, The Boers aro strongly entrenched and nothing will fetch them out until our big guns come from England. Things are very dear out here. We have to give Is lOd for butter and 4d each for c-ggp. I have been the grave or the chaps who were killed in the armourer! train. We have plenty of troops j out here and 1 hops it will not he long before we are on the sea ¡¡gain .bomeward bound for England. I shall be glad when it is all over. To-night I am on outpost duty. We have not had a good night's rest aince wo have been in Chicveley. They say the Boers are retiring from Ladyemith. We can see them working away in Colenso. We have plenty to do up at half-past two every morning and out in the burning sua all day. We have yet to receive aid from the Queen. You cannot realise the horrors of the battle field. Some time ago a Dutch spy was caught trying to poison our horses, lie was tried and sentenced to be shot. They marched him to his grave aud then twelve soldiet's advanced carrying twelve rifles, six loaded and six unloaded. It was all over in a few minutes and none of them knew who it was that shot him

OSWESTRY. SEND-OFF TO A RBSE11YIST. On Monday evening » pleassnt gathering took place at the Eagles Hotd Then Mr Elias Phillips, a Shropshire Reservist, was accorded a. hearty eond-off by his fellow-workers in the Cambrian works. The chair was foccupied by Air R Martin, who was supported by Mr W Parry. The Chair- man gave an address and several songs were sung. Air Phillips afterwards thanking them for that expression of their friendship for him. The Oswestty District, of Druids have unani- mously resolved that the contributions of all reservists and volunteers on active service or gar- rison duty shall be allowed by the various lodges, aud that such members not be called upon to make any paj rnent during their absence.

-+- THE IMP.EBIAL YEOMANRY. A STEP XEAUEU SOUTH AFRICA. A -M 1C M 0 A A B L E M A It C K. After a. ¡;; DV of six weeks in this district, the Mon i gomerysiiire Contingent of Imperial eomanry have, at he invitation cf their patriotic- Colonel, Sir Waikin Williams-Wynu, Bart., taken their departure for whei-e tiioy will remain until sailing orders arrive. On Monday morning- the members of "H" Company left Welshpool v/iih but a feeble send-off from the inhabitants who lined the Perhaps the bitter wintry weatheij accounted for this. At any rate, the fact remltins thftt scarce a cheer was heard, and as for flaus and other indications of patriotism they were conspicuous by their absence. The mounted men of the We'slij/ool contingent paraded iu Broad Street fit; niuo o'clock, and shortiv t\fujr\v<1rê. began their march through the deep snow, which will long remain upon "their mem- ory. Captain Robert W,, iiii was in command, and under him were Captain Pritchard Rayner aud Lieutenant Godfrey The other Lalf of the company "feli it:" soon after 10 o'clock, under the command of Lieutenant Kirkby. Headed by a contingent of the Militia Band, playing appropriate airs, they proceeded to the station, where they entered the Os vestry train which they left, on arriving at Llynclys and joined forces with their mounted comrades. Oswestry was reached at ore o'clock—just a few minutes behind tho appointed LiBlt. The inhabitants thronged the principal streets which presented a gay appearance, each business house having put out flags. Just outside the town boundary the troopers wco met by the Oswestry Volunteer Band acd played through the. streets amidst a demonstration of popular feeling nn. equalled since the Queen's Jubilee. Cheer after cheer was raised for tho men, who, clothed in khaki, were generally admired for their 'physique and soldierly bearing. It was only with the utmost difficulty that they get through the hustling throng of enthusiasts. The horses having been put up at tho Wynnstuy and Queen's Hotels and the Red Lion stables, the ,me:1 marched to the Powis Hall where they ware received by the Mayor ( Nir R H Mwon) and Corporation, by whom they were enter- tained to lunch, among those present being' the Town Clerk (Air J Parry-Jcnes), Captain and Mrs Wynne Corrie, Captain Geoffrey Wiiliams-Vaughan, Aldermen Rogers, Spanll, end Whitfield, Councillors Daniel, Davies, Edwards, Lewis, Aiaclardy, Martin, Perks, Plimmer, Roberts, Sheather, and Thompson, the Vicar (the Rev Norman Ogilvy), the Rev T Ltedfern, Air G J Dumville Lees, Major Bull, All- Wallace Pugh, Air G W Lacey, Air E Wiiliams- Vaughan, Air Alaltby aud others. When luncheou was over, The Alayor said: Captain Wynu, officers and men of the Montgomeryshire Imperial Yeomanry, allow me to bid you welcome to the ancient borough of Oswestry, and at the same time to wish you one and ail God speed in your undertaking. May your visit to South Africa be short, and may you be spared to return to your homes safe and sound, crowned with the laurels of victory (cheers). The Town Clerk, at the request of the Mayor, also offered a few words of welcome. They were all delighted, he said, to have the pleasure of meet- iug them there that day. Oswestry hud doue its share for Queen and country in the past, and would du so again (cheers). They rejoiced to have had the opportuuicv of entertaining them to that ex. tempore picnic, and they sincerely hoped they had enjoyed themselves (applause). They hoped that when they did get across the sea they would do their duty, and that, as the Alayor had suid, they would return home safe and sound, crowned with tile laurels of victory (cheers). Captain Wynn, replying, said on behalf of the officers, D,IIl-couHni"sioned officers, and men ot the B Company of the Imperial Yeomanry, he wished to thank the Mayor and Corporation of Oswestry for the reception they had accorded them, and for the hospitality which they had extended them in that hall. This was not the time for words but for action—(hear, hear)—and their lIext job was to meet the enemy (cheers). He assured the Mavor and Corporation that the welcome which had been extended to them that day would remain one of the brightest incidents in the preparatory training of the Aloutgotneryshire Imperial Yeomanry (cheers). Cheers were afterwards raised for the Alayor and Corporation of Oswestry, and cigars having been distributed and a hurried whiff enjoyed, the men once more paraded. The enthusiasm which marLed the appearance of the men was continued when the march was resumed. The unmounted section en- trained at the Great, Western Station for Ruabon, I-the train steaming out. of the station amid the strains of Aulcl Lang Syne" from the band, the cheers of an appreciative public, and the discharge of fog signals. On arrival at lluabon at three o'clock, the de- tachment were marched to Wyuustay. Entering the park by the principal entrance Lhe men wended their way aionf the beautiful avenue, now carpeted in snow, and up the steep slopes to the hall, where they were received by their Colouel, who dis- tributed blankets to the men, and afterwards con- ducted them to their apartment. The mounted section reached Wynnstay at five the ho-'ses were at once properlv stabied under Sir Watkin's- super- intendence each man was given a pair of blankets and afterwards shown to his billet. These pre- liminaries over, tea was partaken of in the mess rooms. Sir W;tki-,i i,aviult set apart three of his large diuing-halls for the purpose. The walls are hung with precious oil paintings and valuable tapestries, and the men, as may be imagined, were not long in getting accustomed to their new quarters. NEWTOWN CONTINGENT The members of "C" Company left Newtown on Monday morning for Welshpool, matching all tho way through the snow which carpeted the ground. In striking contrast to the send-off from Welshpool, was the display of feeling shown at Newtown. The first detachment proceeded on foot at an early hour, the band of the 5th Y.B. South Wales Borderers accompanying them to the outskirts of the town. A little later the mounted dntachment left to the strains of Auld Lang Syne" and Soldiers of the Queen," and amidst the plaudits of an enthusiastic public. Chief Constable Holland joined the detach- ment ou its way to Welshpool. Arrived at Welsh- pool the men proceeded to their respective quarters and settled down for the niht. la the morning they were early astir, the mounted and foot detach- ments leaving iu the same order as on the previous day, a.nd joining forces again at Llynclys. OssroBtrians again turned out in strong force to witness the arrival. The arrangements were similar to Monday and the enthusiasm quite as spontaneous. The company was accompanied by Captain Fernie (in command) and Lieutenants Luxmoore, Cox, Trevor and Hutton, and they brought with them their Colt quick firing gun, mounted on a Dundonald galloping car- riagf-, which came in for much attention from the outside public. It was nearly two o'clock when they arrived at the Powis Hall, and there appearance was the signal for a great outburst of cheering from the crowd which packed the Bailey Head. In the hall they were entertained to luncheon by invitation of the Alayor and Corporation, among those present helping the men to refreshments being the Alayor and Mayoress, the Town Clerk (Air J Parry-Jones) and Airs Parry-Jones, Aldermen Rogers and Spanll, Councillors Daniel, Davies, Edwards, S Parry Jones, Lewis, Lloyó, Alartin, Poole, Plimmer, Roberts, Sheather, and Thompson, Captain Wiiliams-Vaughan, Airs S Parry-Jones, Air and Airs Dumville Lees, Air J J Lloyd Williams, Air S Pryce Parry, 1\-hs and the Alisses Luxmoore, Airs and .Miss Adams, Maesmawr, Mr Wallace Pugh, etc. After luncheon, The Alayor said they were all delighted to welcome them to the ancient borough of Oswestry, and they only regretted that the shortness of their stay woulft not aliow them to show them some of the beauties of that place. They could not, how- ever, let them pass through without extending to them n hearty welcome, and sincerely wishing them God-speed, a short voyage, and a quick return (cheers). The Town Cleik here read the following tele- gram be hud received from Sir Watkin Wynn, the colonel of the regiment:—" Kindly express sincere thanks for hospitality to yeomen. Had hoped to come to Oswestry to-day. and much regret that extreme pressure of work here absolutely prevents me," (cheers). Captai-i Fernie who was vociferously cheered by his men on mounting a table from which to reply, said he thanked them most heartily for the warm welcome which they had given them. It was with feelings of regret that they had to come away without Major Hallowes, the officer commanding the company. lie reminded those present that they were on their way to Wynnstay, for a short period of training before going to South Africa, and lie assured the inhabitants of Oswestry that all of them wouid remember in South Africa and for the rest of their lives the cordial welcome | they received in that ancient borough (cheers). A the command of Captain Fernie, all the men rose nnd gave three cheers for the Mayor and Corporation and also for the ladies. The men afterwards paraded outside the Powis ILl], where they were photographed by Councillor j Maclardy. Afterwards the mounted section re- sumed their march to Wynnstay, while those on foot were marched by Lieut. Luxmoore to the Great Western Railway Station, escorted by the Volunteer Blind playiug popular airs, where they entrained for Ruabon. As the truin left the station the band struck up Auld Lang yne," and the firing of fog- signals the proceedings ended. They ware met at Ruabon by the Volunteer Band, by whom they were escorted to Wynnstay, the reception accorded the visitors by the inhabitants of Ruabon being of a very enthusiastic character. THE REGIMENTAL PETS. Accompanying the Welshpool mounted section was a well-bred fox terrier, the regimental pet. Tammy," as h0 is cailed, after his owner, Trooper Tamworth, walked all the way from Welshpool to Oswestry in his red, white and blue collar, and Til'\ny questions were asked about the dog en route. The men are sc att-ached to the dog that they have presented it with four silver medals, one from each of the four sections of B Company, and it is pro- posed that it shall wear these when the regiment goes into action, the men beinc determined that Tammy shall share the sweets-what they are- and privations of military life. Singularly enough the Newtown company also had a pet- a sheep doar which bad followed the company all the way, and seemed quite happy. On arrival at Powis Hall a red white and blue collar was procured and placed around its neck. I10W THE MEN FARE IN THEIR NEW QUARTERS. Writing under date of February 14th, a- Welsh- pool trooper, lodged in the North Tower at W y nn- stay says We have plenty of grab and plenty of work. Sir Watkin is piayiog the host to per- fection. There are 97 steps up to our lodging place, and many of us have never been so near Heaver; before. The whole regiment is here and there is no crowding. Wynnstay is as big as a small town, and there are streets of stables. I am sure Sir Watkin could put up a Brigade here. lieu we are not drilling, we are on fatigue duty— shovelling snow, etc. You cat) guess the size of the hall, when I say that we all sit down to meulrs at one time. We have to pay extra for food if we want more than ordinary soldiers' fare, so it rons us into about 148 a week which leaves us about 2s 6d to bqnander. There are recruits coming in everv day."

LLANFECHAIN. "SEND-OFF" TO SERGT.-MAJOR JOYCE. A number of friends met at supper in the club- room, at the Plasyndinas Inn, Llanfechain, on Saturday, to give a hearty send-off to Sergeant- Major Joyce, who, having volunteered for the froi-t, is about to leave for South Africa. In the unavoid- able absence of the Rector (the Rev D Jones), Mr J Do It Openshaw presided.—On the removal of the cloth, the Chairman, in a suitable speech, presented Sergeant-Alajor Joyce with a silver cigarette case, inscribed Presented to Sergeant.Major Joyce, M.I.Y.C., on his departure for South Africa, by his friends and well-wishers at Llanfechain. February, 1900." The Sergeant-Alajor was also presented with half-a-dozen bottles of whiskey.-Appropriate speeches were made by several present, and the evening was enlivened by songs by these present. The proceedings were of a very hearty character, and thoroughly in accord with the very warm re- gard in which Mr Joyce is held by his friends and uett-,hb(,iirs.-A vote )f thanks to the Chairman and to the Hostess, Airs Hammond, for having provided such an excellent suppt-r, brought the proceedings to a close.

VOLUNTEERS FOR THE FRONT. SOUTH WALES BORDERERS LEAVE BRECON. ENTHUSIASTIC SEND-OFF. The Active Service Company of the Volunteer Battalions of the South Wales Borderers left Brecon by special train at 5.45 on Wednesday morning, cn route for Southampton, whence they embarked s for South Africa. The railway station was thronged, and the men were given a most enthusiastic send. off. Long before five o'clock (writes a Couuty Timer representative) the Brecon Barracks was the scene of considerable bustle and animation. It was a typical winter's morning. Snow lay thick upon the ground, quite a foot deep, and iv the light of a bright moon the streets and housetops looked extremely picturesque. At E,20 everything was ready and a start was made for the railway station. As the men emerged from the barracks they were greeted with a hearty cheer from a group of enthusiastic admirers, who bad trudged down through the snow to accompany them to the station. The Hay Volunteer Baud struck up March of the Alen of Harlech," and the popular air was taken up by the spectators, who punctuated the music pretty freely with load, cheers. The troops, heavily laden as they were with arms and equipment, marching with were with arms and equipment, marching with much difficulty through the snow, and it was interesting to notice how freeiv those who accompanied them btepped forward to help in c-airying the kit bags. The nearer we got to the station the crowd increased in numbers, and the excitement became more and more intense. At the station there WPS a memorable scene. Alothers, sisters, sweethearts, besides a large proportion of iriouds ol the sterner sex, thronged the platform, waiting to see the last of the heroes about to depart. and with great difficulty the men managed to get to their carrisges. At leii-tit Captain Casson and Captain Phillips, and the other offi< era succeeded in getting all aboard, and evervthins was resdv for a start. Th« band played "Hen Wlad fy Nhadau" and Auld Lang Syue," and round after round of cheering went up from the crowd. At lengt h came the signal to start from the guard of the train, there was a shrill whistle from the engine and it gave the signal for a renewal of the cheering. The men returned the greeting right heartily from the carriage windows. In another moment the train was steaming out of the station, the enthusiastic elleil-ilig being mingled with the strains of the National Anthem played by the band. THE EAIBARKATION AT SOUTHAMPTON. The s.s. Greek," which is one of the largest and finest of the famous Union liners, was lying in a berth alongside what, is locally known as tho old c-xtension. The Welsh arrived early in the day, and when they had got aboard, thoughts turned to the South Wales Borderers. All the other troops were aboard, aud the Blue Peter was run up the fore- mast. It was evident that the Greek must be moved, for the tide was failing fast, and so Col Stacpole gave the order for the vessel to be towed off and takeu to berth 27 at the extreme end of the- Ocean Quay. This was done, and many of the on- lookers, not knowing of the arrangement, began to cheer, for they surmised that this was the "last farewell." Word soon went round, however, and then everybody went off helter-skelter to the Ocean Quay, half a mile away, and landed there just in time to see the Borderers' traiu draw up. Caltain Phillips was the first man to alight, and he was warmly greeted by Colonel Goss, who, with his wife and two daughters, was waiting upon tho form. Time was brief, indeed, and with rr.re speed the men left the train and lined up. The Borderers presented a very fine appearance. So far as physique went, they certainly were finer men thaD the Welsh. They had been just 10 hours iu the train, having left Brecon in the wee stria' hours, ana it was now after 3 o'clock. Was it wonder that sre-.ny of the men looked fagged and weary ? For ah that, how- ever, they bad determination writ upon their faces. Alt agreed that their journey had 'heeti a nasty experience, acd triar. ttiey weic glad it was over. One or two expressed the hope that they would have nothing worse in frort of them, but all were in rare good spirits. Ten minutetl sufficed for them Lo parade and file off, with kit in hand, to the quayside. As the first Borderers came in sight a mighty cheer went- up from the troops on the big liner as they recognised their fellow-passengers, who had arrived at- the elcventh hour. Lust of till the company marched j the ambulance merl with their stretcher, suggestive of sad possibilities, but that is the inevitable attri- bnte of war. All was soon got ready, and amid the greatest enthusiasm the Greek commenced her voyage, currying with her the South Wales Bor- derers to the war. -+-

COMFORTS FOR THE FRONT AND FOR THE WOUNDED. Dear Sir,—With your kind permir-doia, I should like to give a short account of my stewardship. I have sent, away nearly- 2 tons weight of comforts for Jack in the front 5.000 pairs of socks, 8 cwt of tobacco, 500 pipe, 500 Tarn o' shunters, Helmets and comforters, 2 reams cf letter paper and envel- opes, 1,000 indelible pencils, 2 cross 0' pocket handkerchiefs. To the wounded in Hospitals— Wynberg, Pietermaritzoerg, De Aar and Durbar;- I have sent pillows; shirts, tobacco, cigarettes. 1 received a teiegriiiii from the Naval Brigade at Durban thanking me warmly for every tlr'r.g," spec- ially the Bn,ccyr." I am sending out- every week by the Union Line. For the Hospitale I w::ur, tn'dows. warm slippers, Eau de Coiogne, sponges, cornbs, meat esseuces, chocolate, night 8hin", (flannel), pyjamas, warm vests, ni^iitengales, cigarettes, pipes ,iteng g.Lrettes, and tobacco, and money with which to buv otiier things. I am in direct communication wiih the heads of the hospitals. For the froll t I want socks tams, helmets, flannel shirts, cholera, belts, writ-lag paper, envelopes, chocolate, handkerchiefs, white or with only a line of colour, as they ave used for bandages on the battlefield; soap, a .I bootlaces (medium length), indelible pencils, tobacco, cigarettes, or sometimes, best of all, money to buy needfuls. I need not say tha: laci i;, direct communication with the commanding an < other officers of the Naval Brigade, and with the vneu. I do not think that overlapping need he fesi-p-d. tobacco is smoked, socks wear out very rapidly, chocolate is eaten, writing paper used, 1 send prin- cipally to the Blue Jackets, and Roya! Marines,and then to "Tommy Atkins," whether British' OT Colonial, and I will gladly send to any regiment not so much Ü. luck's way as the others, if the name and address of the C[J!lllIIHJdi!:g officer js forwarded to n. e. Please send goode or money to Miss Weston, Royal Sailors' lle?t, Portsmouth." Cheques cau be crossed "National Provincial Bank," or paid to Royal Sailor's best c e, National Provincial, Bank, Laudpnrt., Portsmouth." All money and goods are duly acknowledged. Thanking renders for past help, and asking for more.—Very truly yours, AGNES E Wj

-¡o.. -— HR. SOLOMON ANDREWS AUKES A GLNEROt S UFFLt TO 1)OEGj:.LLLl. _w_- ACCEPT EI) On Wednesday morning, nr. Siiir,Ijull, P.. meeting of t h- Executive Committee of the Trans- vaal War Fund was held to consider the following letter received from Air J Griffith (Air Solomon Andrews' manager at. Doigelley) I am directed by Alessrs Solomon Andrews and Sons, of London and Cardiff, who are row interested in J r; k v Jones and Company, Doigelley, to inform you that j they are prepared to give Doigelley a similar offer to that accepted by the town of Pwlih'di, lz, 100 guineas towards the cost of nl1r"ilg, maintenance. | &c, of 10 or more wounded officers in the present, war in South Africa if the Doigelley Committee of I the Transvaal War Fund wili provide a suitable residence. 1 shall be glnd if you wi'd kitidlv rdace this offer before your committee."—There was a large and representative attendance present and Air j J L Richards (high slieriff), was voted to the cha>'r. Maior Scott, the secretary of the fund, said the i offer had b"cn placed before the committee on Saturday when it was decided that the offer wns one which the whole committee should (!,oy, tier. Mr 0 Slaney WynnÐ pointed out that the offer was made conditionally upon the Executive; Committee pnviding a suitable house, which included attend- ances, nursing, &c., which, of course, would come to a large sum. In the case of Pwllheli, Air Andrews himself provided a house, which was not t he case at Doigelley. Again, he did not think they could utilisa the money already subscribed towards the object, and therefore a new subscription list- would hareto be opened. It seemed to him th9. 1: was a matter for the town and the Urban Council to decide. Mr Proctor, Lion Hotel, said he did not think there were many officers in the army who would care to come to a place of that kind. He should be sorry to see sonie of his relatives who were (iffic,r in the army com iug home without a comfortable home for them provided by their famines. Most of the officers were above being in need of anv ki!1rl of a convalescent home. He had no objection t" the offer being accepted, but for those reasons he did not feel inclined to subscribe.—Mr 0 Slaney Wynne said there was another point, that should be made known, and that was that Lb house should be furnished and made ready before the offer would be considered at head quarters. Perhaps after making all preparations ir would not be re- quired at all. — Mr J Griffith (the m«nap:er of the firm of were several empty houses which could be utilised for this purpose. He felt certain Air Andrews would extend his offer to the men. instead of tif) officers if a request to that effect was made to hirn. — Air J Griffith pointed out that a committee had been appointed to look for suitable places as con- valosceut homes for them.—The Rev J Williams said he would be prepared to accept the offer if Air Andrews could pay that £ 100 to that committee aud to extend it so as to include privates as well its officers, aed thë committee to expend the trionc-v to the best advantage for wounded officers and men.—On being put to the meeting, i, was decided to ask Air Andrews to kindly give the money at the disposal of the committee to utilise it to the be--t advantage from the couuty fund, and this was carried unanimously.

-u_-+- FROM NEW SOUTH WALES. M.A.P. tells a story of young Lord Benuchamp, the Governor of New South Wales, which is exciting- great merriment, at. the Antipodes. It appears that his lordship was filler! wish a strong desire to insti- tute n proper etiquette to be observed on all Sta< e occasions at his official residence. To this (tid he ordained that great care chould be taken to pi event- those not entitled to the entree from coming in by the same doors as those more privileged. Ir, v, further arranged in order to faciliiate the work of distinguishing between arrivals, t-liat. those Kftviv? the entree should produce their invitations, should be printed on blue cards, while the cards to be presented by those whose position did not entitle them to such favour should be whit:?. It may have been vice versa, but, that is a (I e i at all events a gentleman presented himself at an im- portant function whose card showed that he had the entree, while his wife, who accompanied him. whether by mistake or "tie'ise, apparently had not. Said the lynx-even! aide, catching si: of distinctive pieces of pasteboard, This loor, sir, if yon please yon, madam, wil! find a (.Io .,r, if v -u will kiudly pnss along the co-rider on the riirhr, bv which you will be admitted." Yor.nL' men," the matron, glancing sternly from the blu# ticket and the white one to the bo-A i-ig A.D.C. as ske pressed forward, My husband and I ;,re not a aeidlitz powder Another story which is going the rounds in :1, bourne is to the effect that a lady at a dinner par1 v in his capital eoufided to his lorcfship that she had nightly blessed the name of his father. On being asked when and where she hntl made the: hitter's acquaintance, she replied Oh, I have taken his famous pills regularly for years!

THE MOST MlTTRmOUS. GRATEFUL—COMFORTING. | COCOA BREAKF AST- SUPPER.

i SO "iu F. FACTS COXCERNIKG SUBSTITUTES. Supposing yot; as ken for o pound of euit e* ar.d a shopman suit; Oh, dmi't have butter; have me-ger;*>e. It's just the same thing, or even bel ter, except that the name is different." Would yon take his word for it ? And supposing that, -not content- with • o'ir re- fusal, the shopman stilt persisted in f1rgui'!g :1.bout it, saving I understand thesp things; jot* The substitute is really just the same ss r butter." What would yon think in such a case, and what would you do r You would come to the oonelue'en that- the shop- man must have a very low (,pini,;n of yorr intelli- gence; you would go a way and buy not or: 1y your butter, but anything eise which you wanted, else- where. Ir: that way you would shew that the man made a mistake in thinking you easy to impose upon. Some years ago margarine was packed np very much like real butter, and labelled with names resembling butter batterine," and so on. Parlia- ment put a stop to this. You can now distinguish butter from margarine by the label. Margarine, honestly sold as such, is a useful article, aud no honest bntterman attempts to sell it as butter. But hpp1y the same idea to SOTI1e notorms bstie. tutes. Dr Williams pink pills for pale people are well known to j ou. These pills nave cured a num- ber cf painful, dangerous, and troublesome diseases ¡ among ynnr IJeia-hb,);"r8-oiseu.,e£ such as wrrjia, St Vitus' dance, rheumatism, ponsnmptioi- naraly- sis, indigestion. They give Dew blood to bloodless peop'e, and new strength to weak people. Suppos- insr you go to a shop and ask for Dr William's pink insr you go to a shor, and ask for Dr William's pink pills (yon should always be careful to ask for Dr Williams') and supposing the shopman offers vou something else—a substitute— which he declares to be "just as good," or the same thine' ai.d pro- bably cneaper; you will be wise to draw the same conclusion as in the case of the man who tried to seii you margarine for butter. The man who tries to sell you a substitute instead of Dr Williams' pink pills thinks you f;;7T.pi)." He will I)e- lie wiii keep ou talking about it. he put t he two side by side—the genuine pills and the substitute— and say, Lock, they are exactly alike But they are not exactly alike. There is l'n resem- blance between them. Substitutes can never be Dr Williams' pink pills any more than margarine, cau be butter. And you can tell the difference by tue label in this case as in the other. Look for all the seven words cf the title on a pink package with the name in red, and do not accept any thing that does not bear these words. If the shopman will insist on trying to make yon buy a substitute, go away. Have no more to do with him. He will cheat you in other thiugs, besides this, if be finds you so simple as to accept bis substitute in this case. The character of substitute is shown by every- thing connected with them. They are often a good deal cheaper than Dr Williams' pink pills, yet a dis- honest sh-.pkeeper is anxious to to sell them. Why ? Because however cheap they are, he can make more profit by selling useless substitutes made of common drugs, than by selling the genuine pills. It is haroiy necessary to say more. But another tiling also marks the character of the subs: utile— the sham pink pil's that are not Dr Williams' pink pills. Tiley are not up to trade on other people's reputation;—to sell on the reputation of Dr Williams' e 1,(" pu tv, o n pink pills. Ii. is not, to be expected that, ¡londs got up in that spirit will be honest goods; fJIJj, in point of lact substitutes never cured anvone. Dr Williams' pink pills have cured more than 27,000 cases. Below is printed one case. If the substitute-mongers could point to such a cure as this, do you not think they would do so? But they cannot. Substitutes are simply a trick to sell common drugs. It is only the genuine Dr Wj¡¡jm!" pink pills that reedy cure, and the following instance is given as one example of the way the pills cure Mrs Hodder, wife of a master builder, r -siding at the Bungalow, Longlands Park-road. Sideup, Kent, said to a reporter, who took down her words I have been a great sufferer. At times I couid do nothing I could net feed mvseH, I could not stand. I was, as it were. completely paralysed. From a child I had been a great sufferer from neu- ralgia, which in later years developed into what one doctor termed neuralgic gout, and another muscular rheumatism. My Doctor felt, it was a hopeless case. Then I consulted a specialist, who said he had never seen anyone's nerves ir. a more dreadful state. I was under his treatment, for about ten mouths, and still suffered. The agony was awful, and I became a perfect skeleton. 1 could not eat, nor sleep unless 1 had a sleeping draught. i was as helpless sometimes as a little babe. Mr Hodder wished me for a long time to try Dr Will- iams' pink pills for pale people. I nad quire given up hopes of recovery, and had said, I will try no- thing else," for where so many remedies had failed, I thought the pills would be of ijouse. y husband piocured a box, however, and I soon began to feel better. I could sleep better, and began to enjoy m, food. I continued to take the pills. Before I did not, get downstairs for months. I could not stand on my feet. Mv limbs used -0 be stiff and swollen, and my bands and fe- perfectly rigid, and if vou had given me £ 100 I could not have moved them. My recovery is entirely due to Dr Williams' pink pills. I have no doubt of that, because I have been so different since I began to take tnern. 1 now take no other medicme, and I would not do without them." To avoid the tiresome talk of substitutes the best plan is to avoid their shops altogether. Go where you are served cheerfully and respectfully with what yon ask for. If there is any difficulty, write direct to Dr Williams' Medicine Company, Ho10om Via- duct, Loudou. enclosing the price—two shillings and ninepence for one box, or thirteen and nine for six boxes. But if for any reason you must go to a shop where substitutes are sold, take care to ask for Dr Williams', and see that you get them, with, the full name on the label.

-41,- THE DEATxi HARVEST. In one week the death rate of Loudon was thirty per cent beyond the normal average, that is to say, 1.100 persons died who had a fair ex paction of sur- viving. Altogether, 316 died of intuenza, while the deaths f:om diseases of the respiratory organs, attributable to influenza, were 55S. Not even in the black week of December did the Boers kill as t many as were mown down bv influenza io one week in January. Tha run upou doctors and curses was phenomenal, while the number of burials in some of the city cemeteries passed all previous recoids. Thousand's who fell victims to influenza were undis- tinguisbed citizens of the rank and file; out the harvest, reaped hv death in January inC;udeo many of great distinction. Chief among the liinst-iious dead must be mentioned Mr Ruskin, whose death, however, produced comparatively liit<e sensation, as for mauv vears past he was dead so far as the life of the intellect gceot, Another ancient full of e-irs and honours was Dr Martiueai, whose reputa- tion was much higher among the intellectuals tnan among the multitude. Mr Biackmore. the author of Lorna Doone," was also one of tne victims of this Januarv, together with the Duke of Took and Cardinal Jacobini. It is probable that uz all those en, the death-roll toere was no whose name excited more comment than t..8t. of Mr G W Steeveus, the most promising of oar vour.u'er b.urna- lists, who after rushing round trie »'- orki at zpress speed on various journalistic ir.is-.ions for tne last four years, found a premature death from enteric fever m Ladysmith.—Rev ieir of Rev uncs.

Sir Edward Ciarke, having been asked by the Plymouth Conservatives to resign his seat owing to his attitude regarding the war has apphsd to the Chancenor of the Exchequer for the Chilteru Hundreds.

TOTAL CAS17ALTi23. Total killed 1,629 Total wounded 5,430 Total missing 2,893 Deaths from disease, &c. ••• 563 Grand total 10,515

THE NEW ARMY SCHEME. 1 r 1 .L, t "1. u 1 .iJ1 .£J. INCREASE OF THE FORCES. VOLUNTEERS ANI) YEOMANRY. EXTENSIVE PROPOSALS Tbf-re v.-as a large attendance of Peers in the Upper House on Alonday to hear Lord Lausdowne's i statement as to the measures proposed to be taken bJ' H,'r 11,1 ¡;.iesty's Gov\rnment to meet t:;e drain OD 0.1r military resources caused by the Wae. Tie Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge occupied the Front Cross Bench, and almost a score of ladies were present in the Peeresses' Gallery. Ac the commencement cf business, Lord Lans- downe, answering a question by Lord Bate-TS3u, stated tbai, Sir F Carrington had beeu designated for a command in South Africa; that Lard i Rol-er .s was now at the Alodder liirc. ErJíl that be v-as in command of the v.hole o; Her Majesty's j forces a. that phee. Lord Lansciewne followed with his Milharr Statement. In his opening sentences', lie referred to the orginal plan of campaign and the e'reum- stanees which had led to its alteration aud the- con- sequent great increases of the forces necessary to carry it Oli. When the war broke out, we had Cco r force amounted to 200,000 men. of wnom three- fourths had been sect out from this couutry. The vrcar and tear of the army baa been "UCESS'U.I n:ec by despatching drafts, but large demands cms: anio.c patev!, and i.e. nad, tnerefo-'e, to take stock Ot tne resources from which thev could be met. ihese ropoerces amounted to 33,030 men, co^sis. iiic of Lino Battalions, Cavab.-y, and Hcse sad Fie d At,i and iu addition, 12 000 men of tne Reserve, making i.10,000 regalac soldiers at hoie at this moment; 7,000 Yeomanry; 77,000 Militia, after deducting those battailous wh;ch had or were going, to South Africa; nri 215.0C0 Volcu- 1.ee" serv'.ng i. i/tus century at the pTe-scnt moment. Refer~:ng to the requirements J be met from these resources, he said they were threo-fo'd—first, a nici,)ile army for home defence; sc'c.mdlv, g%n i- sons for our and. thrdlv- rf:a11\1 ()rí'T\"np, "tn. -1 -)-J.}' :e m,j:);le armv. The first duty was to see that we were provided with a field army of the dimen- sions laid down in 1S33—namely, 130,000 ifen; and he m?ntionecI that it was the indention of the Government to add to the permanent strength of the army 12 new j;ne battalions of Infantry, iu addition to the tnroe' line oatta)ion3 which were now being i.,t-sed under the augmentation of the army decided upon a year ago. This permanent increase was necessitated by the growing demauds d ou- Imperial and Colonial garrisons. As to Ariillery, 16 batteries had been already added to £ -vr-; 'cry; out a much larger increase, was neoess i.'y, and it was also necessarv thac the auxiliary itorces should be stiffened by the presence of a large force of Regular Fi«ld Artillery. Aft-er s-nding out tne Art;i;ery ot two Anny Corps to South Africa, the Artilleiy c,f one A mv Corps was loft. The proposal of the Government was to laise Lhwse and Field Artillery for t wo more Army Corps making 36 butteries of Field Artillery, and seven batteries of liorse Artilieiy. A certain' number of Yotunt.ee>* ArtiUervtnen should be allowed to join these batteries, on a one year's term of engage- ment. With regard to Cavalry, 15 regiments were required for the force he had indicated, and there was in the country eight regiments. It- was pro- posed to form four out of the Reserve squadrons, and the remainder by a Brigade of Yeomanry, specially tr.-iued for the. wrpoie. There would be an increase also :u the Royal Engineers and the Army Service Corps. J i.i reference to the A'?tia, it was proposed to '•orm large camps, at which the whole of the Mi'dtia .vculd undergo a course of tredniug, with the same 'iiy that was now eiven to the Line, ano an ir,crease | in the buu,y paid to tne Militiaman when he -IT, Wheti Ile engages. Inducements would be also offered to ex- K Hi; hi men to join the force, which was now 30,000 j below its establishment. With legard to the Yeo- j marry, encouragement would be given them to j enrol up to their fnl' establishment or bevono it, and they would have this year one month's irainiDg under canvas and au increase of contingent ce,. portion of the force should also be convo:rted mto .Mounted Infantry, but this develop- ment would require to be dealt with in a spirit that j wonul carry the force with it. Then ay to the Volunteers, who had an establishment, o" 265,000 men, and whose present strength was 221,000, al! the establishments would be encouraged to recruit up to the fun strength of 1,000, and, where more men were forthcoming than were required, to encourage the formation of second battabons. No objection would be offered to these wL. wished it equipped as Mourned Infantry, and special rates of eap'nat toi would be paid wherever a Volun- teer battalion was aLL to provide a mounted com* p-my. 1 b "c would ho camps iv: special traiainer ;0tvveeu y aid \ugnst. The question of DIILkétr y v. ould receive special attention ranges would be provided a-id subventions paid to corps. The Volunteer Artillery woald be re-armed with I modern guns aud receive special training. A Volunteer Reserve would also be encouraged, and j Militia and Volunteer officers should be given i further facilities for attending accurst; of in- st recti on. There was another source which might be fairly looked to for an accession to the military strength I of the country, namely, the men who had com- pleted their full term of service with the colours | ar.d the Reserve. It wit., that the door should bp opened to these men by asking them to engage for one year and for home service onlv, and the Service would be m-»de as attractive as possible. I i these bittahous to be ra'se-l a verv la-ge of-Ec?rr, wo .ted, and commis- sious vouivt he offered to :ho Mihn-< and Yolnuteers, to ..he "Cniversii.iea, to a small ncmber of Public S^iiooh^, and to the Co'ersies, where:" uiauv exc-el- lent officers had alteactv beer, received I)e hep H] to add to the numb": of men serving in the | Line oHttui' ins tin the ;hree years' engagement. These men contributed much more rapid!v to the Reserve than the men who stayed longer with the Colours, and were a kind of a machine for manu- facturing Reservists. He expected that the pro- posals he had submitted would reduce the deficiency i-i the- Auii'iary forces by 50,000 men. From the Li-it- b iteaue.utr, the Artillery, aud Cavalry, he ho-o to draw about 30,000 men, and perhaps h J. JjO o! the old sol Hers might he pt-rtuaded to I accept ot-rvice. They might, therefore, look for- went to 100,000 men as being the gross outcome of toe changes which were now proposed. Bis (dosing words were spoken in deprecation of compulsion or cotiscript i. a: in any form. What was wanted was not compulsion, but encouragement, and | tear encouragement. Ministers proposed to give in the most ungrudging spirit. FL'KTUiiU STATEMENT UV MR WYXDHAM. 'A beii the House of Commons, went into Com- mittee. ou Supply on the Supplementary Army estimates yesterday, it resumed the Debate on the I feu* 120,000 men of ail ranks for service at I home and ab-cad. Tne interest in the subject is!iovv<i by lie iif.ua- never flagged throughout the whole evening, though the benches were never at any iime well Jibed. The Irish Benches and the Front Opposition Bench were the two most con- spicuously vacant places in the House. Colonel iirookiield, in continuing the Debate, said that the ceanges foreshadowed by the Government were in the right direcion, and his uniiu Goubt was whether j the Uuder Secretary was not too as to he practical eiiect, of the proposals, lie had made. 1. approved ol a montu's training being given to the Volunteer: bur. believed it would be I difficult to carry it o-t, and hoped that | elasticity wV/iiid be given to the system. Mr Uyndnaui s-,aid that thirty-five guns and eleven hundred men had been borrowed from the Navy lg the v.ar, and lie declined to consider the present imse- a fitting occasion to talk about the j pay of the Colonial troops. As to officers, he thought, some effort shouio be me.de i a; to close eoor of tne Army, and certainly not of the 1 | cavairy, on everv man who did not, enjov a private i I -neeuie. In the face of the present crisis, it was nothing iess than scandal and a danger to the couo- ry that young men cou'a not be got for the Cavalry, euless their friends were able to give t.hem i a large allowance. Th* Government had been working at that problem, aLd an important Co.u ai it tee; {presided over by General French, had sat hist summer on the question. As to the Yolumeers, he stated that the. Government merely offered facilities and did not e:<pac*t I service, and that the conditions of the ] several corps would be considered. A tneet- | i.-iz of Yeenumry and Volunteer Commanding Officers had been convened by the Government,, j and they would be levo oa m> g.ve t ho fullest expres- j siou of opto,on with regard to the Government pro- posals. hie cxpia-nt n that thy proposal that the | oianteers and Yeenianrv should encamp for a m.>r,th was only sugges.ed as a desirable thing for the p.esent veal*. it was at) emergency proposal, and woul i be an instructive experiment. if it turued out that such a period of training was not only useful to the force, but was also appreciated by it, then it might with propriety and advantage be continued, though perhaps on a modified or reduced scale, lie gave some figures to show how niucn of the scheme was permanent, and how the one hundred and twenty thousand men were mode np. As to the former, he said that the fifteen battalions and the depots involved a t1rmf;nent increase of seven hundred and eighty-five thousand pounds; the capita: charge for barracks would be Olle million five hundred thousand pounds; the seven battalions of Horse Artillery and the thirty-six battalions of Field Artillery would form an annual charge of five hundred and thirty-five thousand pounds. Speaking of compnision, he repeated that the scheme was one of invitation aud encouragement. The Government did invite, and they hoped the invitation would h"3 cordially responded to. In the course of the Debate which foHoved, Sir H Maxwell urgeu the Government to mnke the Militia as attractive as possible. Colouel Kenyon Slaney thought- the proposals met the immediate necessities of the country, and indicated p. resolu- tion to deal with the greater question at t he future in a broader spirit than hitherto.— A general dis- I belief prevailed as to the succets of the proposal that- the Mirtia and Volunteers should spend so much time in camp. It was beid that b would interfere too much with the labour arrangements and necessities of the country. O:lly one «,r two militarv iiu-tnbsrs favoured some form of compul- sion, while nearly every speaker, on the o; her hand, commended the Government, for their to the vcluntri™" pnuc-pie, for navnig suggested nothing re v o i u t• o* a ry. -+-