Mr. Childers on Monday answered two questions on the Transvaal
war very satisfactorily. He had instructed Sir G. Colley to treat the Boers as belligerents, though without rais- ing the question of belligerent rights, and had received from Sir George assurances that this was his intention. The Department, moreover, had ordered reinforcements from home and from India with such skill in choosing regiments, that by the 11th instant 4,600 men would be at Durban, in addition to the 4,100 men already under Sir G. Colley's orders. [There must be some error in that figure, unless the troops in Natal were widely scattered.] Two cavalry regiments and a battery of horse artillery had also been put under orders, but Sir George Coley tele- graphed that he did not require them, It is a little doubtful if this force will be sufficient, Sir G. Colley can hardly collect 5,000 men, the Boors already have as many, and they are being joined by numbers of friends from the Free State, and even from Natal. Their position is very strong, and they are, it is telegraphed. from Durban, building " schanzes," which we understand. to be small works affording cover, roughly put to- gether of boulders. The supply of ammunition is their diffi- culty, but among such sharpshooters, accustomed not to waste cartridges, and using no artillery, that will not be felt at first. It is said, but rather doubtfully, that the Pass can be turned, but we look forward to a severe engagement, and another possible repulse,
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