Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-24
BLIZZARD In LONDON.
MAT rs WHAT THEY CALL A
LIGHT SNOWFALL THERE.
nMESON-RAlD INVESTIGATION
urItish Government Not ne All p,..
roScd 10 Press ft-Indian RcItef
Mcasurcs-osecn Nictoria's "sexn-
rcsimal"-N-Ray Novelties.

~ Che opinion that the weather is the
most important matter OF human interest
TODAY. Since noon yesterday there have
BEEN several brisk hurres Of snow. with
ihe result that there Is a thin blanket.
sreraging an inch IN thickness. In the
PARKS and gardens OF the metropolis. SO
extraordinary IS this in London that the
.aptrs describe Il as a blizzard, and every
one Is talking about the terrific snow
storm" Sensational messages from all
parts Of Great Britain describe In vivid
language the ravages OF the storm The
most startling dispatch Of all comes from
point IN the far north Of Scotland.
whore rash correspondent afiirms that
the snow lies inches deep on the level.
lnoredulous Londoners accept such state
uants only with grain Of salt. 1t is
more than five years since snow has been
s.,A in London IN the present quantities,
and its appearance Is regarded as in the
I'd sure Of a phenomenon.
It has indeed worked a wonderful trans
formation of the blacklist. gloomiest city
in an the world. London architecture,
even TN the brightest weather. wears the
universal hue Of ashes and charcoal, and
f- most famous buildings are dressed in
perpetual mourning Now in spite Of low
e-ing skies. the city has put on gala at
frl. and the solemn old town is almost
cay. Even as 1 write the clouds have
suddenly broken. and a flood Of rosy light
SIS bathing the great dome of st. Paul's
in wonderful sp.endor. 1t is no longer an
imposing black silhouette against the sky,
nut q great pink. glowing dome. which
seems 10 shine with az incandescence all
SIS own.
JAMESON RAID.
Turning 10 a more sordid event, the
opening OF Parliament. ! can find nothing
90 say Of even moderate interest 20
American readers. 1t Is expected that
the session will prove Of considerable
domestic Importance but the only topic
in sight which IS likely TO attract the
attention Of outside observers is the
solemn. but inevitably farcical. investi-
cation OF the jameson raid. and South
Africantenairs generally. The Secretary
for the Colonies on Wednesday made
virtuous show OF anxiety so obtain the
rcappointment without delay Of par
lamentary committee Of inquiry. lie
waited in the House Of Commons We'd
ncs7ay TN an hour after which OPP
posed business could not be taken up
and then moved the reappoinument. Seve-
ter. with q great show Of surprise and
Irritation, then proposed his motion
When It comes on again, probably AT
the end Of the next week, there is likely
10 be n tremendous row. the Liberals
being firmly convinced that the govern
ment is anxiousy waiting for decent
excuse TO break its solemn pledges TO
make n thorough inquiry.
Mr.. Chamberlain may protest as much
n.frf fg 81 a
Najesty's minister's do not want this
inquiry proceeded with, as they have
managed TO let their supporters in the
House cf Commons know something OF
their feelings. Otherwise, there would
not be the. strong movement against an
inquiry which is now observable In the
government party. The friends or MT.
Rhodes. 100, have not been inactive, and
thev are both numerous and influential
The result Of all this IS that everywhere
one hears people asking what is the
GOOD of this inquiry. Mr.. Rhodes made
mistakes. but surely he condoned them
lv bravery in the field during the rebel
lion in RhOdesia, and sagacious ciplo-
macy with the Matabeies, which. as
much as anything else. brought about
faqce. Furthermore, the Rhodes party
never tire of urging that committee
az the Cape Colony Legislature has al
r.1dv investigated the matter, and probed
81 as far as possible. It Is hard TO see
how it is possible in decency TO avoid
some form or preteuce Of investigation;
llt II any one expects that the real
facts REGARDING this great national
crime AGAINST a friendly state Is at last
% be brought to light, they assuredly
VIII be disappointed. Mr.. Rhodes, in an
Interview printed to-day, virtually ac-
lr0wledges what he denied year ago
cr his word Of honor--namely, completely
i1 the organization of the force of the
raiders. The only point he now denies
g. that he gave Jameson the final order
% march. 1t is hardly necessary TO re-
neat what ! have several times SAID IN
this connection-that Cecil Rhodes VIII
never be punished by any British tribunal
for his now-confessed guilt IL conneclion
with this great conspiracy.
THE TURKISH QUESTION.
The blue-book this week detailing the
rroerese Of the negotiations between the
Powers In reference 10 the Turkish ques-
ton al last brings official confirmation
o. the news. first made public in cable
d.sratches to the Sun early in December
that Europe had finally agreed TO use
force. IL necessary, TO secure the intro
duction OF reforms In the ottoman en-
Jire II Is shown. TO the credit or Loru
Salisbury. that he persistently urgeu upon
tre continental governments the neces-
city OF resorting 10 coercion, until
o. an change in the attitude OF me
Car late IN November brought success
g. his efforts.
i have reason to believe that the situa-
ton has now advanced considerably be-
youl The point indicated in the dispatches
which Lord Salisbury has made pubic
There have also been side issues IN
VOWED I'M the understanding when mas
been arrived AT between certain or the
Powers. TO which, Of course no reference
has been made.
Tor instance. Il Is believed that the
Car who held the key 10 the WhOlv
situation. ala not grant his assent 10
coercion until the part which RUSSIA
would be allowed 70 play in such opera.
tons had been clearly conceded by oFed'
Britain The belief expressed IN some
quarters that Russia will still manage 10
prevent an actual Interference with the
Sultan is not shared in the best-inforineu
circles II is fully believed, on the olhoi
hand that genuine reforms VIII De az
tlally forced upon Turkey, and tha1 700
a. speedily as the slow-moving diplomatic
machinery viii allow.
EAST INDIAN RELIEF.
IUl,ic interest in the plague and famine
81 India continues undated. me rehoi
Subscriptions for the famine sufferers
now amounting In London 10 carry thIec
quarters Of "A million OF dollars, seen,
most generous. The criticisms OF EoIu
Hamilton, Secretary Of State Tor Ihuld,
and the government authorities nave
generally been 30 sharp that they az
last have been spurred TO the greatest
cot