Show GOSSIP IN LONDON TOWN Veteran officers who have followed the war closely l at every stage laugh at the absurd estimates of the strength of the Boers still In the field I An officer in touch with the best sources OfJnformauon says that there I Is no intention on the part of the War office of sending out a large body of reinforcements to South Africa v Lord Roberts Jirbelieved to have recommended I rec-ommended before he left South Africa the shipment of 50000 regulars to replace I re-place the same number of militia and reservists hut the Cabinet objected on the sqore of expense The chief source of consolation forth for-th bewildered British public which cannot understand what Is going on in South Africa Is an occasional dispatch from America Indicating that the Philippine Phil-ippine war is still in ogress Gen Kitchener is so reticent that proBoer journals like the Machester Guardian and alarmist sheets like the Dally Mall are convincfcd that the situation sit-uation Is critical and the British army virtually dn the defensive and in need of reinforcements I A rumor has started in London said I to emanatae from wellinformed l sources that LOrd Curzon is going to resign the vlceroyalty of India owing to the failing health of Lady Curzon I I with whom the climate of India Is said not to have agreed |