The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-12-10

growing inclination to be skeptical over
glorious victories that leave the Beers
able to fight just as hard the next day,
with the still virulent storm of dis
approval raining from all quarters on
Joseph Chamberlain because Of his re-
markable alliance speech, and with the
dawning realization of the difficulties
which beset the task of conquering. the
Beers and wiping away Afrikander dis
satisfaction, the position of the British
Government at home has been by no
means strengthened. A really decisive
victory, compelling the Beers to va
cate the scene of British operations, or
enabling the British to achieve the
relief of Kimberley or Ladysmith,
would quickly improve the feeling.
That all is not right is feared even
among the Governments staunchest
supporters. While awaiting such a VIC
tory, as by mere force of numbers it
seems must come, the feeling of unrest
Is bound to increase, while the anxiety
exhibited in well-informed quarters,
that previously spoke optimistically of
Cape loyalty, but now regretfully ad-
nit widespread colonial disaffection, is
not likely to be allayed.
1t appears that the British forward
movement retarded more by the poll
teal conditions prevailing in the terri
tory through which the lines of COM
munication pass than by the Beers,
ing TANKS. Military critics during the
past week have frequently observed
that if it is necessary to preserve the
lines of communication with such forces
when operating in British territory, it
would be much more essential to do
when the head columns have entered an
avowedly hostile country.
That Ladysmith will be relieved, and
shortly, is now taken as a matter of
course, though in the same breath it
is admitted that a decisive engagement
must be fought before this is accomp-
lished. Nothing has been more promi-
nently brought out during the two
months of the war than the fact that
the Beers never attack, as General
Garcia said last year of the Cubans.
With their wonderful mobility, the
Beers are enabled to take UP, one after
another, carefully selected positions, in
every instance daring the British GEN
erals to attack them, and retiring, after
infiicting severe loss, to other positions
equally good and apparently previously
prepared. If such tactics continue. it
seems possible that the relieving force
will reach Ladysmith so crippled that
an advance into the Transvaal viii be
impossible in the near future. In fact,
the most optimistic see no chance of the
British forces making serious Roadway
upon an aggressive campaign for two
or three months, while many who con-
fidently prophesied that General Butler
would eat his Christmas dinner in Pre-
toria' are trying to find excuses in the
slowness Of the transports or the In
capabiliy of the War Office.
Mr. Chamberlain shows no signs of
repentance or desire to recant his Lei
cester speech. In the meantime Lord
Salisbury has refrained from making
any public utteranees to offset the
Colonial Secretary's remarks How
ever, frequent articles appear, ap-
parently inspired, in papers which
warmly support Mr.. Chamberlain's war
policy, denouncing his Leicester speech,
both for it's alliance and anti French
components
Premier Waldeck-Rousseau's action,
in instructing the Paris news vendors
that the sale of German as well as
French caricatures of the Queen will
render them liable to prosecution. is a
finely ironica1 reply to British criticism
of the French press. While Mr. Cham
beI1ain was denouncing France for
villifying the Queen and protesting
friendship for Germany, he overlooked
the fact that caricatures almost equally
offensive to the British are appearing
in Germany.
1t is announced that Russia will re-
sumo this morning diplomatic negotia-
tons with the Vatican
The newspapers of Finland have suf-
fered so heavily, financially, owing to
the censorship and suppression, that a
concern has been formed, entitled the
Finland Newspapers Press Censure
Insurance Company. 1t guarantees an
indemnity not exceeding 60 per cent. of
the loss of gross income incurred by
The fee charged by the
novel concern is 5 per cent. of the gross
income.
49,