Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-26
BRlTONS BECOME DlSCUSrED
War Fever Antics Are Nauseating to the
Better Glass of People
MANY GOING TO RIDICULOUS LENGTHS
others Use Notoricty for Advertising
and to Push Into society--The-
ntricaI People Take the
Lead.

Copyright 1899, by the Associated Press)
LONDON, Nov. 25.-Among the serious
minded, conservative English people there is
a growing feeling of disgust at the spread
OF the nauseating namby- -pambyism which
finds an excuse in the war. The hysterlcal
outbreak which has ensued eince Tommy
Atkins" and his officer became full -fedged
society craze has already been the subject
of satirical articles in the better class of
British publications, and now all signs point
to reaction from that uureaeoning enthusi-
asm which is responsible for so many un-
dgnified antics. Never were the old English
army officers so aghast as when they read
of the queens decision to send a box Of
chocolate to each man in the field as a
Chrletmas present. Compared with her
simple speeches at her farewells to the
troops, this announcement appeared as a
sudden descent from the sublime to the ri
diculous.
On top OF this came the heroic accounts Of
Correspondent Churchill fighting battles and
controlling troops, and regular officers
poured in letters to the papers protesting
against this. Though not belittlng
Churchll's personal bravery, an officer was
obliged to tell Churchill that his help was
not needed to command company. Other
instances of this young ex-officer's readiness
to interfere have been printed since the
glowing accounts of the armored train affair
While 1t is pointed out that he does not de-
serve good treatment from the Beers, having
violated the usages Of war, the reports OF
his expected release is contrasted with the
alleged action of the French and Germans
who 1t is claimed, during the war of 1870
shot all noncombatants found carrying arms.
Working for Notoriety.
While the big West End caterers are busy
shipping hundreds of cases of champagne
and pate de foie gras to the regi-
mental messes in South Africa,
society women are working fever
ishly making plumpuddings for these
unfortunates Many of the puddings con-
tain costly jewelry, tie pins, rings and other
memeutoes from a daring womankind. Lady
Colin Campbell has made no fewer than 106
plumpuddings for the Dublin Fusleers, and
several puddings have been sent to Wins
ton Churchill, addressed to Pretoria.
Though the majority Of such efforts are
doubtless prompted by genuine patriotism
and a desire to alleviate the sufferiugs of
the soldiers, the charitable movement is
taken advantage Of by notorious self-adver-
tisers both social and mercantile. Women
who have not been received in society, in
spite Of the effort of years, have been untir-
ing in their endeavors to get publicity for
their particular scheme to raise money or
articles to send to South Africa.
Incidentally, it is announced that the duke
of Abercorn has ordered for the field Red
Cross 300 dozen Of Messrs. So -and-So's hand
kerchiefs, (Which are famous for their soft
ness and delicate texture" etc.. and every
theatrical press agent in the country is reap
ing harvests by obtaining gratuitous adver-
tisements from hitherto unheard-of actors
and actresses, who are willing to recite
war poem or do a turn to help the war
funds. This, of course, scarcely applies to
the few leaders Of the profession who orig
mated the idea Of an American quota of
charity, a movement which eliminated in
Mrs. Brown Potter's "The Chantant," Though
the latter has not escaped criticism.
The Times set the example by giving 1t a
meager and uncomplimentary report in its
news columns and since then several society
and others papers have referred satirically
to the excesses which marked the tipping
and other methods applied at the entertain
ment to raise funds. The amount of adver-
ticing some Of the theatrical nonentities have
secured is not excused even by the presence
Of royalties. Many prominent members of
the American colony here freely express in
private conversation their disappointment
and stronger feelings at the proceedings OF
this performance.
Choate in Awkward Position.
Mr.. Joseph H. Choate, the United States
was placed in an awkward posi-
ton by finding upon his arrival here that he
was apparently actively associated with
THE Chantant's" management. One individ-
ual was ,officially discountenanced by the
and the same was the case with
several others, who, though known in the
London papers as Americans, are not
claimed as such by the various ambassadors
or are not received in New York society.
On the other hand, the hospital ship
Princess of Wales fitted out at the instiga-
ton and with the personal supervision of the
of the royal family after whom
1t was named, was done quietly and is now
ready to sail. A great part of the cost was
borne by the princess own pocket. but its
complete control is given to the army medi-
cal department.
M. A. p. MAINLY About People, is au-
thority for the statement that General Kitch-
ener, before leaving England, recently, made
a strenuous attempt to obtain the supreme
in South Africa, but was refused
on account OF his junior rank and lack Of
knowledge Of South African conditions. A
cabinet minister Is quoted as saying, relative
to General Kitchener's request:
why. when he got to Pretoria. the man
might actually send Krugers head to
Madame Tussaud."
A letter from an officer at Omdurman
says Wingate's force, which recently de-
feated the dervishes near the Nile, south of
Khartoum, consisted of Ave squadrons of
cavalry, two infantry brigades, two howitz-
ers ten Maxim guns and 1000 camels. The |
letter adds: I'VE shall have to attack the
khalifa this winter There is no proba bility |