SEIZURE OF A STEAMER.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10483, 23 October 1899, Page 5

SEIZURE OF A STEAMER.

LOADED WITH SLEEPERS FOR THE FREE STATE. SAILING OP REINFORCEMENTS. PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT. DURBAN, October 20. The authorities here have seized the steamer Rollo, with a cargo of Western Australian sleepers, consigned to the Orange Free State. CAPETOWN, October 20. A Russian officer, Colonel Stakhovitch, accompanies Major-General Hunter, the chief of the British staff, to the front. No Russian military representative will be sent to the Transvaal, as the independence of the Republic is not recognised. LONDON, October 20. Mr Powell Williams, Financial Secretary of the War Office, states that by Ja.r the largest orders for meat and forage for South Africa have been placed in Australia. LONDON, October 21. Twenty thousand troops sail for the Cape by Tuesday. In the House of Commons Mr Wyndham, the Parliamentary Secretary for the War Office, said it was proposed at present to embody only the militia; probably the reserve would not be needed.

The adoption of the Address in Reply was carried.

In Committee of Supply, Mr Wyndham moved for a grant of ten millions as a Supplementary Army Estimate. He said he was gratified with the manner in which 49,000 troops had been mobilised and transferred 6000 miles in four months. Tme ten millions was voted by 271 to 32. There was great enthusiasm at Southampton on the departure of five transpojrts with troops to South Africa. Lord WoLseley and Lord Loch were amongst the large gathering who took part in the farewell. The Duke of Connaught, addressing the Ist Battaliqn of Scots Guards, at Chelsea Barracks, prior to their departure, conveyed the Queen's good wishes. In the discussion on the motion for the ten million grant, Mr Labouohere denounoed the operations against the Boers as iniquitous. Mr Davitt characterised them as a damnable massacre. .Mr William Redmond made a violent speech, and was expelled. Mr Balfour moved the closure.