New-York tribune., 1875-08-23
BRITISH TOPICS.
FAvORITIsM AT THE WAR OFFICE.


PLATED VISIT OF MR.. WHITE, Ex-M. p.
IFROM TIE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUSE.l
LONDON, Aug. 12.-The contempt of military Off
cials for public opinion has seldom been shown more
openly than in the Baker case. For o week past,
discussion has been going in the papers about the
manner in which Col. Bakers connection with the
army should be terminated. 1t was taken for
granted at first that he would be cashiered. But
Gazette after Gazette appeared, and notice OF Col.
Bakers dismissal could be found in them. Then The
Army and Nary Gazette IA wholly different cOncern)
announced that Col. Baker, immediately upon con-
viction had sent in his resignation, and that
this resignation had been accepted. This meant
that man convicted of infamous crime
and a peculiarly cowardly one was allowed by the
military authorities to retire from the army exactly
as any other officer might retire. Another para
graph affirmed that the only question the War Office
had to settle whether Col. Baker should be al
lowed the value of his commission some $25,00O or
whether by refusing it, crushing fine" should be
levied on him in addition to the sentence of the
Court. ThesetwO paragraphs showed what a strong
party was at work in Col. Bakers behalf Presently
the statement that his resignation had been accepted
was contradicted, but not officially. Then it
was reaffirmed, and then Wcontradcted. Finally,
this morning it is announced-still unofficiay-
that the War Office (after taking ten days to think
OF III has arrived at decision that Col. Baker will
be allowed to retire, but will not be allowed the
value of his commission. In defense Of this amazing
resolution it is urged that Col Baker may thus hope
for employment in some foreign service, whereas all
such chances would be closed to him were he to be
cashiered. This is merely throwing dust in the eyes
of the public. 1t is much more likely that both at
the Horse Guards and the War Office there is real
feeling in Col. Bakers favor, and real reluctance
, to part with good cavalry officer BY allowing
him to resign they leave every other question Open
The refusal to pay the value of his commission
may be reconsidered at some more con-
venIcnt season, when the money can be
paid quietly and no fuss be made Nay, there
will exist no technical bar to Col Bakers return
to the British service, should the authorities
think pablic opinion could by and by be safely dehed
to that extent. You say this is improbable. But why
is it more improbable than the refusal of the War
Office to disgrace him by dismissal. The sovereign
NAV dismiss; it needs no court-martal. The sover-
cign did so dismiss, quite lately, in Major Waller
Iarbord's case for cheating at cards. Is it more
to quote the words of the article of war
more unbccOmng the character of an officer and
gentleman" to cheat at cards than to commit
an indecent saut on an unprotected young lady |!
Quite lasely it has been hinted that even to the
ca,hicred Major ilarbord the War Office had finally
granted the amount of his commission. What sort
of influences must be potent there Do the Duke
of Cambridge and Mr.. Claiborne Hardy care ahso-
lutely nothing for the reputation of the Bntish
Army either at home or abroadf
Perhaps the indulgence shown Baker in prison has
reused even more Indignation. All Dir. Justice
Brett's fine words only paved the way for an easy
sentence. and the warrant under which he sent
Baker to jail made it easier still, by de5crib-
ing him as frst-class misdemeanant-a phrase
which takes him ont of the category OF orIlnl-
mails and ingures him just such treatment as debtor
with money political prisoner receives. Horse
monger Jail is turned into barracks ior Col. Ba-
kei's benefit and he occupies it very much as II un
der military arrest. lie has two comfortable rooms
wholly apart from all other prisoners, ard furnishes
them 10 suit his own taste. He wears bis own cloth
ing. supplies his own food, is allowed wine and beer
docs no work performs menal offices these are
done for him by an officer of the prison who acts as
Col. Bakers private servant, has what books and
newspapers he likes writes and receives letters
subject TO inspection, and may see his friends be-
tween 9 i'm the morning and in the evening
Questioned last night in Parliament as to this, the
Home Secretary replied that Col Baker was under
the ordinary rules for a prisoner OF hs class-n
other words il is Mr. Justice Brett who has done him
this favor Very grim is the neutrality-suspicious. or
uot-wh which one paper t.ils morning REMARKS:
II would be q matter for the greatest regret were an
idea to prevail even 10 te sfl'ea Ia a FOR m he
country there IL one III" ioi 'he iicn anu "noi ' ~
poor. - - =. T.,
The degree of success Capt. Dicey's Castalia the
twin-shp, has achieved is not quite great enough to
solvc the problem Of channel navigation, nor even
70 make her a paying experiment. She has been
running for n week between Calais and Dover, but
running nearly empty. The weather has been too
smooth TO test her capabilities thoroughly, but her
one fatal defect il want OF speed. she taxes two
hours in the most favorable circumstances, to make
the passage which the mail steamer makes III an
bonr and a half. The latter connects directly with
the train for London If you want to go by the Cas-
ta,a Won mnst spend the night at Dover. Yesterday
the wind was toIeraby fresh for the first time, and
the accounts given Of her performance are pretty
GOOD 50 far as steadness goes. She rolls, but does
NOT roll much, and she scarcely pitches at all Be-
vond doubt YOU may cross much more comfortably
in her than in one of the ordinary steamers. There
remains the question what she would do III very
beavv sea-whether in plain English, her two hulis
woud hold together. If this can be proved, and II
more powerful engines are put IN hef' she may yet
be favOpite craft.
The band of Englishmen lecturing next Autumn
in the United States will be reinforced by Mr John
OConnor Power whom his friends reckon one OF
the very best speakers among the young men III
Parliament He is member for County Mayo a
Liberal in politics far rs he is anything Dnt his
last and before all things, Home kulT. Ills iec-
tures are intended, believe particularly BOZ the
Irish in America, and the subject OF them
will be the present condition of Ireland
what he has to say will Of course be
said from the Irish Nationalist point OF
yiew-a view not perhaps always capable Of being
taken BY other members of the human family Mr.
Power is both young member of Parliament and