New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-10-29
WAR TALK IN LONDON
SPECULATION AS TO GENERAL WHITES
INTENTIONS
RAp1DITY OF THE BoER MovEMENrs-THE

cost which verifes President KrGger's predic-
ton that the conflict would stagger humanity.
But though victory has fallen to Great Britain
whenever and wherever the issues were Of para
mount Importance. General Whites position to-
day is scarcely more reassuring than at the
outbreak Of the war. SO far he has only shown
his ability 10 outwit by strategy the Beers.
That in its conception. meets with high praise
from the British military critics. Now he ap-
pears TO have reached the limit Of this game Of
war by which ne was able TO prevent the mass
ing Of the Boei columns. and must either meet
the enemys combined forces or retreat Many
people think General White should rest content
with the successes so far achieved and fall back
on Colenso, pointing out that he appears 10 be
fully able 10 move his forces quickly and With
out deterioration. It is scarcely probable that
he will follow this course. preferrlng rather 10
hold Ladysmith. though against much superior
numbers until reinforced. It IS the feeling that
the General intends to follow the latter course
that creates uneasiness. for victories over Boer
units are not believed to indicate that the same
result can he achieved over the Beers when
massed.
Compared with this impending movement
about Ladysmith the fate Of Kimberley ana
Mafeking and the progress Of the other indie
pendent operations are almost insignificant Inc
rapidly Of the Roer advance and the tenacity
~ the endeavors Of their columns to concentrate
on General White have proved clearly that the
Beers plans were matured long before hostil-
ties displaced negotiations and. though they
may be unable 10 stand before the brilliant
charges Of the British troops serve their arti-
lerv with the skill Of their opponents. that they
are q mobile force and operate tremendously
under a carefully prepared plan Of campaign.
WHAT WILL CONFRONT THE ARMY
CORPS?
No one seems 10 have the fantest idea Of
what conditions will confront the British army
corps upon its arrival in South Africa VIII It
be an avenging force whose duty Will be to wipe
out the defeat Of General White and the capture
OF Mafeking and Kimberley? or will It simply
be a walkover into Pretoria, dispensing Boer
bands disintegrated by the strain Of A long
campaign and discouraged by constant reverses?
These questions are uppermost in the minds OF
all connected with the War Office. BY Novem-
Der the last troopship should have sailed. but
the army corps will scarcely take the field until
the end Of December There IS lull in the de-
parture Of the troops forming the army corps
owing. the Admiralty officials say. 10 the troops
beng
men. LOGO horses and seven batteries Of artil-
lery, with wagons and equipment, between DC
tober 20 and October 81. is pointed to as being
a splendid feat upon the part Of the Admiralty
not forgetting. however also to give credit 10
the army for having the men ready at the dock
Lieutenant Commander Colwell the United
States Naval Attache here, who for the United
States closely watched the embarkation Of the
eaid n a representative
Of The Associated Press:
1T was splendid sight. Everything was
done in good order. On each transport a naval
lieutenant was in command and on the dock a
naval officer supervised the whole. The army
officers had their men lined up, and staff ser
geant passed along the ranks. chopping eigh-
teen men off at a time. thus forming messes
Marching on board they found everything pre-
pared for them"
Sir Charles Dixie. writing to The Speaker"
draws attention TO the gigantic cost OF the
mobilization Of a comparatively small army. He
says:
Though the War Office processes TO be pleased
with the result or the mobilization, they took
far longer TO complete the ARRANGEMENTS than
the maximum period allowed by other Powers
Continuing Sir Charles Dixie declares that
the present system IS entirely wrong.
While the nation is enthralled by the news
from the battle fields and thrilled with sympathy
at the death Of its sons. especially that Of gall
liant General symons. Parliament has come and
gone scarcely noticed IN the food Of more ex-
citing developments. It the shortest ses-
sion but one in the history OF England. and
teemed with remarkable incidents. Again this
week Mr. Chamberlain continued the defence Of
his own character. angrily taking up the slight
est insinuation Michael Davitts dramatic
resignation IS regretted on both sides Of the
House for the honesty Of his convictions was
much appreciated Sir Michael Hicks Beachs
budget TO raise the supplies was so non-commit-
tai that It is scarcely open to much criticism.
Whether the 100000 borrowed 10 carry on
the war will be entirely repaid by additional
taxation. or whether the Boer treasury will be
sapped TO repay part the whole, is matter
upon which little light is likely TO be thrown
until Parliament reassembles in February
ABSORPTION OF THE REPUBLICS
But the more important Of the features OF the
recent session is the Queens Propagation
speech for II contains the assertion that the
Transvaal Is already part Of her empire. The
phraseology passed almost unnoticed, but the
sentence, Il trust that divine blessing will rest
on the efforts TO restore peace and good govern
Inent 70 that portion Of my empire" cannot be
taken TO mean anything but that Great Britain
regards the Transvaal as already reverted to her
direct sovereignty. Another interesting point
Of the speech was that the was referred to
military operations
The attitude Of the foreign Powers provides
an unfailing source Of comment and contra
dictory reports. The virulent and persistent
abuse Of Great Britain by the Continental press
gives rise to the fear that in spite Of official
denials Russia and France intend taking adj
vantage Of the South African troubles. On the
other hand. It is pointed out that the Care
witch Is making long and friendly visit to
England while France is devotng her energies
70 make the Paris Exposition a success. Ger
man interference seems scarcely probable in
view Of the Emperors expected visit to Eng