The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-01
THE BRITISH PLAYERS.
Scenes in Committee Room IL of the
House of Commons.

Scenes in Committee Room IL of the
House of Commons.
LONDON, May 31.-Much surprise is ex-
pressed at the arrangements made by Mr.
Henniker Heaton, M. p, for the cable
chess match between members of the Brit
ish House of Commons and the United
States House of Representatives which be-
gan to-day. The cable companies were
asked to transmit the moves free of charge
and the Associated Press was also APP
preached on the subject. On the Associated
Press declining the exclusive right, after
repeated delays, was sold to the London
Times, and an attempt will be made to ex-
cude all other newspapers. The various
delays have nearly wrecked the whole pro-
ject. Some of the English players a tort
night ago, declared that if things were not
Immediately settled they would decline to
play at all. Not much interest was dis
played among the general members of the
House who were seen this afternoon.
Colonel John HAY the United States en-
bassador, visited committee room No. IL of
the House of Commons, where the British
team will play, for five minutes to-day
The five players are at tables arranged
in front of the windows, and the telegraph
wire is operated from an adjoining corner:
In front of the tables are three rows OF
chairs to be used by spectators from the
coming to-day without any particular dis
play of enthusiasm. The scene during the
playing to-day was impressive, TdlueT lIOI1
a sense of what lay behind than what was
actually visible. There was no attempt at
display on the part of the players. 1t was
a quiet, silent, business-like struggle, with
the sombre self-restraint characteristic of
a chess match under ordinary cl1cum-
stances. Whenever the division bell OF the
House rang there was a stampede ana the
players were left alone and undlsturped.
At no time was the crowd overwhelming,
but everybody acted sans gene, and pipes,
cigars and occasionally long tumplers,
through which nothing stronger than SODA
and milk were brought to the players OPP
posite each of the champions sat gloomy,
silent man. like the croupier of CONT
mental gaming table. He was the auto
NATION whose duty it was to make the
moves cabled from the United states.
OF the players. J. H. Parnell is II some
respects like his famous brother charles:
Before the match began he complained OF
not feeling well. but he played very de-
Mr. Atherley Jones is the son of the late
Ernest Jones, chartist writer, lecturer
poet and famous agitator.
H c. Plunkett is a small man with gen
tie voice and manner. He is a brother or
Lord Dunsany. He started the irish agTiII,
Mai Cfazette and lived for a long time in
Wyoming, where he has large interest.
4. Strauss, Liberal Unionist member for
Ctambrene, is a German Jew, partner IN
a leading firm of tin MERCHANTS ana poid
Spectator on the Metal Exchange.
Mr. f. w. Wilson is native OF peren f15arl
for a generation. He is half country
squire and half "a Journalist. He was, the
pioneer of daily journalism in southern
East Anglia where twenty years ago he
founded the East Anglican Daily Times.
At present he has a proprietary interest in
the Star and the Morning Leader ocmpa-
MES Mr. Wilson is a man of about fifty.
with a white beard, rnischievous eye and
a sly dry humor.
Mr. Hennixer Heaton's career is familiar.
He is best known in England as the adVo-
cate of improved postal arrangements and
is often described as the member for pos
tai REFORM Mr. Heaton has held his seat
for Canterbury without opposition since
1885 His favorita indoor diversion is play
ing chess, but next to this sport he enjoys
all men should be wined and dined: To-day
he was in the tenth heaven of delight over
the success of the international chess
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