THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 52, 28 December 1899, Page 20

THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

The war news of the week has been very meagre, being mainly devoted to aocounta of unimportant outpost engagements, and details of battles fought some days ago.

It is evident the British commanders are acting* mainly on the defensive until the arrival of reinforcements, or that if any important movements are taking place, the press censor is taking very good oare that neither the outside world nor the enemy will hear of them.

At latest accounts Ladysmith had provisions for three months, so there is no danger that the town will be starved out. There is more to fear on this score with regard to the towns on the western frontier, but it is not at all unlikely that both Kimberley and Mafeking will be relieved in a few weeks.

The Australian colonies and New Zealand have offered to supply a second and larger contingent, and the Imperial authorities have accepted the offer. A number of volunteer regiments are being raised in England, including one 1400 strong in London by tine Lord Mayor, for South Africa. Canada proposes to mobilise 5,000 men to be in readiness for South African emergencies.