New-York tribune., 1899-12-24
BRITAIN'S DARK DAYS.
CHRISTMAS SPENT UNDER EXTRAohDl-
NARY DEPRESSION
YET PATRIOTISM RISES FROM ADvERsITr-EAGEr
TO RETRIEVE DISASTER IN AFRICA

xrr pArpror1sM RISES FROM ADvERsITY-EAGER
TO RETRIEVE DISASTER IN AFRICA.
London. Dec 23-Not for many years past
has Great Britain faced such situation as con-
fronts her this Christmas. Yet. to meet IT, there
hos ar,sen a new Britain which by It's virty
and pluck EFFORTS admiration even from her Dit
terest Continental critics Since the boastful-
meas has disappeared from the British press
the comments Of the foreign papers, at least
such az are printed here couched In tones
far more fair and friendly than when 1T was be-
ueved a speedy victory awaited General Butler
As repeatedly asserted. there is no likelihood OF
European interference yet w. T. Stead, in Ihe
Chronicle" to-day, has an alarming column III
which he has visions Of superior Jameson
raid" by sixty thousand Frenchmen on Lonuoh
in the absence OF the Channel fleet Mr.. stead
points out how easily. in his opinion. this might
be accomplished, and says;
To rely as some appear to do. upon the addl-
ton OF number Of raw recruits under the ex-
element and stimulus Of the present war 1eveT
is to rely on broken reed. Woolwlch ArsenaI
might be in flames and the French trlcolor ny
ing over Westminster Palace before the nrst OF
these new recruits would have learned 10 manure
a gun.
BOERS LOOKING FOR MEDIATION.
Though Great Brtain's plight in South Africa
seems temporarily critical The Associated Press
learns that the Beers are stralning every nerve
10 secure the mediation OF President Mckinley
toward favorable peace. But any one with
the slightest knowledge OF British feeling quick
" appreciates that not one person In million
contemplates any result but an ultimate Brlush
triumph. and all sections unite In saying TINS
must be secured. no matter what the COST Hence
the Boer agents themselves have only slght
hopes that mediation would be accepted though
beiiov,ne II President Mckinley could be per
suaded to proffer IT, that Lord Salisbury though
nerhaps bound to refuse. would lose humani-
tartan sympathy in the United States END thus
Avert 70 the Beers much waverng senfment.
Tho Associated Press Is Informed from excel
lent sources that no offer OF mediation would De
accented by Lord Salisbury in any shape OF
form The popular conception OF peace Is tha'
q must come through the idol OF the army
General Roberts and his not less adored chie1
NJ staff General Kitchener The country Is pre-
pared to wait Indefinitely for that eventual'y'
The fall Of Kimberley, Ladysmth and MaieKihs
would not make a particle Of difference lot 'nS
stoical resolve is thoroughly imbedded IN 'he
hearts of the people. who for the first time III
the memory Of this generation nave druhh ueeP
" Of the cup Of military defeat ana uisB' ace'
Anv other defeats that the future holds TOT the
pr,tisb excent entire annhiation are antlci-
mated bv the scathing self-criticism which the
nation has inflicted upon itself Estimates OF
the duration Of hostities vary from three
months to a year.
The lack Of news this week has by no means
been taken as an instance OF the adage regard
ing no news A very general impression prevahs
that Kimberley will succumb. An officer or the
British South Africa Company who has an init
mate knowledge Of South Africa. says he be-
ueves that II the Beers capture Cecil Rhodes
they will shoot him.
SPECTATORS NERVOUS.
Nowhere more than on the Stock Exchange
ha. the lack of information caused extreme
nervousness 1t Is realized that II Kimberley
falls De Beers Mines shares and interests will
shrivel to nothing while the Chartered Com
pany's vast Issues will lose what little bottom
they have left
II IL learned that the great financial houses
in London have combined and furnished suf-
fcient money to insure no large failures on
settling day. December 2S though the small fry
NAV suffer Unless this action has been taken
several we'll known houses not OF the first i'm
portance but still Of large proportions, would
! n Is said have to go under. This concerted
! nrecaution has 20 some extent restored conf
| dence hut the market is still panicky many
people believing that the most serious crisis has
not yet been reached.
| baron Of beef for the Queens Christmas