THE CAMP AT DE AAR.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIII, Issue 15000, 23 November 1899, Page 2

THE CAMP AT DE AAR.

Tho Midland News correspondent at De j ..-ar, writing just before the beginning of I the war, says:— lt has been decided tf> J make De Aar a depot for troops, and it wiil in all probability be a basis of operations. Preparations are being made on a scale to -convert available ispace Snto a cam-iing ground, and arrangements are being made for ->torage of supplies and ammunition for the troops and live stock. There is at present here a detachment of the Yorkshire Regiment, consisting of about 400 troops, who are doing the who'e of the work. In addition to these troops there is a detachment of the Royal Engineers, the whole number of men and officers being close upon, 600. The men are kept Qusy, and have their duties assigned to them as they would have if war were actually in progress. De Aar is being strongly fortified, redoubts are being thrown up on all sides, and trenches ate - being dug. Each road running into De Aar will be covered by a fort, and in fact De An* is* being made impregnable as far as is possible. Further troops are being expected daily, and it is stated that between six nnd seven thousand troops will be eventually stationed here. To facilitate storage a special siding is being made, which looks as if it is- intended to store a large quantity of supplies here. Hundreds of n-iules imd horses' are being bought here under the supervision of the officers of the Army Veterinary Department, and forwarded to the North.