New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-15
WAR CLOUD IN THE EAST.
RUSSIA APPARENTLY PREPARING TO
ATTACK HERAT.
[BY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.l

London, Nov 10 Il a. m.)-The inactivity
prevailing at the Boer camps and the lull in
military operations on the British side encour-
age the London leader writers to look around
and find out whether anything is happening.
Outside Of South Africa they cloud as
large mans hand in Kushk. where the Rus
sian troops are massed apparently for sudden
attack upon Herat. There is strong evidence
that Russia is preparing either for fresh ad-
vance upon Herat or for a stroke of some kind
by which a free exit into the Indian ocean can
be secured. Some leader writers console them
selves with .he reflection that Russia Will not
bring on campaign in Central Asia or Persia
when Japan is menacing her with war in Corea
and when also Germany is on the friendliest
possible relations with England.
There is. however no positive evidence that
Japan is preparing for war, and the attitude or
the German Emperor toward England is puz-
cling, II not disappointing, to the English Court
which has apparently been taking too much for
granted The Kaiser is coming to England, but
he has made it clear that he does not wish to
have too much made of his visit which is
private affair rather than an international
event
HOSTILE FRENCH CRITICS.
French critics, enraged by the British cruisers
action in policing Delagoa Bay and stopping
the Cordoba, and also by rumors that the queen
will go to San Reno in preference TO Nice when
she visits the Riviera, already exultlng
over the German Emperor's GOODNESS in declin-
Ing municipal honors at Portsmouth ana at
London These matters would attract little
attention II there were more stirring news from
South Africa
The silence maintained respecting Ladysmlth
has caused some surprise, but little serious COM
ment / can state positively that there is no
anxiety among the authorities Of the war once
over the position OF Sir George Stewart whites
forces but that a confident belief exists that the
bombardment is ineffective and intermittent
and that the garrison has nothing TO do except
10 remain quiet within the lines Of defence until
the relief column is ready to advance. some
military writer's suggest that General WHITES
position may be regarded more seriously AT
Cape Town than 1t is in London. since Sir heo-
vers Butler is not adhering rgdly to his original
scheme Of organization, but is sending battal-
ions to Durham which are outside OF the FIRST
Division They assume that it was his inten-
ton TO dispatch only ten thousand men 10 the
relief OF Ladysmith, whereas some Of the best
experts have held that he will not take any
risks but would have twenty thousand men In
the column including the four thousand troops
and marines in Lower Natal, when the REIN
forcements began to arrive. He can certainly
be depended upon to send forward the first cav
alry that arrives, without regard to RED tape or
scheme Of organization on paper
CRITICISM OF THE ADMIRALTY.
The transports are belated. but reinforcements
are steadily massing both at Cape Iown anu
at Durham. The Admiralty is subjected 10 con-
siderable criticism for not hiring the fast liners
which II has been reserving year after year a'
high cost and its tardy action in engaging
the Majestic as a transport is a confession 'H3it
these structures were well founded
The appointment Of Sir Charles Warren
general experienced in South African WARFARE
TO command the new division is heartily ap-
proved on all sides
The dispatches stating that Mr. Reitz, the
State Secretary of the Transvaal had threat
ered 70 shoot sly British officers II the alleged
Boer spy Nathan Marks were not released are
inexplicabIe. although they stated by two
news agencies TO be officially confirmed the
two versions OF the affair do not agree in de-
tails but Marks was evidently arrested on the
suspicion Of entering Ladysmith Tor the purpose
OF giving information to the enemy III is not
considered probable by officials here that fresi-
cent Kruger will carry out his threat ana invite
repriseS by General White. The customs OF
war are applied with great difficulty 10 the pres
ent campaign, where the Beers do not nave a
Uniform but dress precisely as their sympathiz-
rs who are found lurking about the BRUSH
amps. The British have dealt very Ienlehuy
With suspected camp followers and nave not
followed the rigorous example Of the frussiahs
A TRAIN EVERY HOUR