The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-12-21
GERMANY In CHINA
THE BRITISH PRESS MAKING FUN
OVER THE MATTER

RidiculjDg tho Demonstratfvns at Kiel on
the Departure OF Prince Henry and the
Extravagant Language Of tho Emperor
and tho PriDce-British Troops in India
Showing Cowardice-Remarkabl Sale Of
Jewels in ParIs-Sarah Bernhardt's Lffe
Threatened
copyrighted by the Associated Press.)
London. December 1S.-The general
opinion OF Kie1 is voiced by dTplo-
mats remark: 1T is a great pity that
Germany, having an easy, safe and
Simple. though slightly piratical piece OF
work on hand, should not be able TO per
form it without setting the whole world
laughing"
The papers are full OF con.ment on
the subject.
The Times says: 'aThe august ut
terances are worthy Of heroes OF melo-
drama and would seem high flown to
modern ideas, if uttered by Philip II,
as he despatched the Armada; or CO.
lumbus as he started to carry the do
qninion Of Spain over the oceans. The
kaiser evoked memories of Metz and
Sedan to encourage Prince Henry to
keep stout heart as he faces the perils
Of the aSuez canal and the terrors of the
China seas. Prince Henry's peroration
was closed by specimen Of almost
Byzantine self -abasement, unique in
the annals of modern Europe
The Saturday Review thinks the nick
name of William the Witless'' is no
longer adequate, adding that he is
S"cyfo c,fo
Saturday Review remarks: I'm spite of
the ominous fact that he has alienated
the newspapers and professors, insult
ed the greatest mobiles, when they VEN.
tured to disagree with his extraordi-
nary activity, until the court is de-
serted and known throughout Germany
aus the court of parvenus, the poor
creature continues to take himself
seriously, as sort of dril-sergeant of
Providence.
The signs OF unrest in the sugar colo
nies are having effect upon the authori-
ties. A West Indian planter writes to
friend in London, saying: .tIf the
standard Of rebellion is raised in favor
of an alliance with the United States.
I will volunteer forthwith. We owe all
our sufferings to the imperial and 1T is
high time it was ended. England will
have a rude awakening.
The reverses suffered by General
Westmacott's brigade in the Bara wall
ley, is in the nature Of a DISASTER.
When the euphemisms are translated
the story appears to be that the most
powerful force ever sent to the border
has been bundled out of Afridiland
neck and crop. On top OF this comes
the news that 1t is the intention OF
Sir William Lockhart, the British COM
mander-in-chief, to invade the coun-
try in another direction. The reasons
are obvious. The government feels
that something must be done forthwith
to retrieve British prestige. In the
meanwhile, the worst impression has
been created in Great Britain by the
reiteration of the statement THAT the
rank and file Of at least four British
regiments showed decided lack of
pluck in the presence OF native regi-
memts. An officer at the front writes:
1.-The worst is that the native troops
have seen the cOwardfce of their white
comrades and they static openly that
if anyTommy Atkins is rude to them
hereafter, they will hammer him; and
the awful thing is, they can do so.''
It is obvious that if the natives lose
their respect for British courage, Great
Britain's hold on India is most pre-
carious. The whole fault seems to lie
and in turning them adrift just when
they are becoming soldiers The cam
paign cannot end before March, and
the cost, fully $4,000, Geo. will necessi-
tate the Intervention Of the British
TREASURY in order to avert the bank
ruptcy Of India.
The society event Of Paris this week
| was the sale Of Jane Hading's Jewels
on Thursday. Her lap dogs collar,
studded with diamonds, brought $1,000;
| a dog collar, with superb pearl and
diamond pendants, was sold for $1,000
! and a pearl necklace was auctioned
| off for $4,000.
Sarah Bernhardt, in an Interview on
| Wednesday. said: my life is wearied
| by the ceaseless watch I am obliged
| to keep against vftriol." She has been
escorted everywhere, having been
threatened by the mother Of Made
| moiselle Kiln, who, months ago,
threatened to use vitriol and who, at
Sarah's instance, was confined in an
asylum.
New York December 1s-The Eve
ming Posts copyrighted London cable
today says:
1.-The terrific goings-on at Kiel, over
Prince Henry's departure for China
have been the ail-absm'bing topic with
Englfshmen this week. Pale fear. says
the German national organ in Vienna
will penetrate to John Bun's marrow
as he reads CT it. AS a matter OF fac,
John Bulls first impulse has been to
split his sides with laughter over q
farcical melodrama such as no com
ing Christmas pantomine can hope t<
rival.
| when the kaiser calls heaven tc
witness show the German Michael has
firmly planted on Chinese son the
shield, eu1b.azoned with the imperia
eagle. in order to afford protection once
for all to him who applies for it, ths
Englishman rsldely laughs. He re.
calls that the German Michael Is ths
mifdest mannered OF young men. tn.
idol OF his English grandmana who i
| taking what seasoned sailor wouIl
| regard as a pleasant cruise, with on,
7,000 ton. twenty three year old roE