The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-24
American Visitors viii Be Closely Watched
by the Authorities, and Subjected
to Great Inconvenience.
Some Of the Peculiar Phases of the
Present Struggle in the SOudan.
Prediction of the Speedy Fall of the Glad
stone Ministry-A Readjustment of
Parties Certainly Close at Hand.



LONDON, March 9.-The English people, now
the horse has been stolen, are following the
usual course of securing the stable door. With
all the warnings they have had, their recent in
difference to danger has been simply amazing
For a short time after the explosions in the rail
way tunnels some alarm was felt and vgilant
watch maintained This however soon relaxed
and l really believe many Londoners had almost
persuaded themselves that the dreadful occur
renee alluded to was not a dynamite
outrage after all, but was due to some
cause for which the railway company was re
sponsible. Everybody, after the first shock, was
inclined to be hopeful That persistent attempt
to destroy life and property had been inaugu-
rated seemed TO stagger credulity. People did
not want to entertain thought so horrible, and
they did their best to shake it off. But when all
were crying peace, sudden destruction came
From the false sense of security into which peo-
pie by their over generosity. had lulled them
selves, there has been an awful awakening
which, l think, will be permanent They will
hardly be caught mapping again, for they are
fully convinced that continued safety can only
be assured as the result of unremitting vigi-
lance. The authorities guard to stay, and
every citizen has converted himself into
detective Cloakrooms, hotels rail
way termini and steamship landings
will be kept under the stIictest surveillance We
had the impression that this was being done all
along but it was a mistake. The police at
Southampton were notified a fortnight in ad-
vance that nine men would land there week be
fore last, having dynamite in their possession
These men, it seems did land, and they got
safely through, dynamite and all. In this con
nection we cannot but pause for a moment to
deplore the ineficency in the present crisis of
the British police generally. -Four explosions in
London and three frustrated attempts within a
year. and no arrests, nor, apparently, prospect
OF any. This is surely q wretched showing. In
the hope We. have of the future, more reliance is
placed ON the detective work the general public
will do than upon the slow motions of these paid
officials. Foreigners will be closely watched
particularly those coming from America. The
Inconvenience to our countrymen during the
coming summer will be very great But we
should be the last to complain, for the humiliat-
ing fact is that our country is the hot bed in
which these dabolical plots are Matched and the
source, ALSO whence come the men and materials
to carry them ont. Many over here think the
American government rdirectly responsible for
these outrages. But these are people who do not
distinguish between tho government and a DOR
tion of its naturalized citizens and who know
nothing OF the American Constitution
and laws. Sensible people understand
the difficulties of the case, and know
how little our government can do in
such a matter Still, even these think
the time has come for something to be done
The executive could hardly interfere, but Con
gress and the State Legislatures might act.
Resolutions passed by these bodies, expressing
adherence at dynamite plots, and abiuring
American citizens to keep aoof from them,
would at least allay irritation in England and
they might also have restraining influence upon
those who, under the shelter of our flag are
menacing friendly power. Certainly what
ever we can do, that ought we to do quickly and
cheerfully. The whole of Europe is looking
upon us. England's cause is, for the nonce the
cause of the entire civilized world BY timely
and judicious action we shall not only redeem
ourselves from suspicion, but shall call forth the
plaudits OF mankind whereas inaction on our
part might entail the most serious consequences
both upon this nation and our own
TEN YEARS OF BATTLE
Within the last decade the British army has
fought sixteen battles In killed and wounded
its loss in these engagements cannot have been
much less than $500 men. In five of the sixteen
battles the British forces suffered defeat Ten
of the sixteen resulted in considerable boodshed,
the most sanguinary being the one Just fought at
Teh. 1t is rather strange that this bloodest Of
England's recent battles should have been fought
under the premiership of a man of peace like Mr.
Gladstone But the Jingo spirit is to be blamed
for this. British pride was wounded. The
Egyptian forces had been twice beaten
with terrible loss, and each time the
chief officers were Englishmen The enemy
was not fighting against England, nor
was the English government at war with him.
But Englishmen We're in command, and they
were whipped. That was enough The people
became wild. The whole nation seemed to be
changed at once into lot of bloodthirsty barba.
rians. John Bull put on his war paint and yelled
for vengeance. This outside cry found its echo
in Parliament The Tories were in arms The
Liberals thought something ought to be done
The government was threatened. 1t seemed to
be case of strike or die with the Liberal Min
istry. So they struck the result being one of
the most sanguinary and most unnecessary en-
gagements the English have taken part in for a
decade, Such in brief is the story of how the
battle of Teb came about England exults to
day over great victory and the supposed re
establishment of her national prcstige and while
the Jingoes shout the English army are burying
out of sight between two and three thousand
men, the victims of their superior equipment.
whose only crime patriotism, who were
fighting simply for their country, and who died
the bravest Of the brave.
A strange affair altogether is this Soudan busi
ness MI. Gladstone protests that he is not at
war; yet thousands Of the enemy full in four