The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-26
UNIDENTIFIED ANTICS.
Wave of samby-Pambyism Which
Is Worrying Conservative HritOns.

LONDON. Nov. 25.-Among the serious
minded, conservative English people. there
is a growing feeling of disgust at the
spread of the n~auseating namby-pambyism
which finds an excuse in the war. The hys-
terical outbreak which has -ensued since
Tommy Atkins and his officer became a
full-fiedged society craze has already been
the subject of ~satirical articles in the bet
ter class of British publications and now
all signs point to a reaction from that I'M
reasoning enthusiasm which is responsible
for so many undignifed 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 Christmas present. Compared
with her simple speeches at her farewells
to the troops, this announcement appeared
as a sudden descent from the sublime to
the ridiculous. On top of this came the he
roic accounts of Correspondent Churchill
fighting battles and commanding troops,
and regular officers poured in letters to the
papers protesting against this. Though not
belittling Churchills personal bravery in
the Tirah campaign, an officer was obliged
to tell Churchill that his help was not
100000 ~
stances of this young ex-oficer's readiness
to interfere have been printed since the
glowing accounts of the armored-train af-
fair. While 1t is pointed out that he does
not deserve good treatment from the
Beers. having violated the usages of war.
the report of his expected release is con-
trasted with the alleged action of the
French and Germans who, il is claimed,
during the war of 1870, shot all noncombat-
ants found carrying arms.
While the big West enc caterers are
busy shipping hundreds of cases of cham
payne and pate de foie gras to the regi-
mental messes in South Africa, society
women are working feverishly, making
plum puddings for tnese unfortunates.
Many of the buildings contain costly jew
elry. tie pins, rings and other mementoes
from adoring womankind. Lady Colin
Campbell has made no fewer than 106 plum
| buildings for the Dublin Fusiliers. and sew
eral buildings have been sent TO Winston
Churchill, addressed to Pretoria. Though
the majority Of such efforts are, doubtless,
prompted by genuine patriotism and a de-
sire to alleviate the sufferings of the SOL
diers, the charitable movement is taken ad-
Vantage OIL Dy uOtOIlOuS Sell-duNtTllccIS,
both social and mercantile. Women who
have not been received In society, in spite
Of the efforts of years, have been untlring
in their endeavors to get publicity for
their particular scheme 10 raise money or
articles to send out TO South Africa.
Incidentally, il is announced that the
Duke of Abercorn has ordered for the field
Red Cross three hundred dozen of Messrs.
So-and-so's handkerchiefs, (which are
famous for their softness and delicate tex
ture," etc, and every theatrical press
agent in the country Is reaping harvests by
obtaining gratuitous advertisements from
hitherto unheard-of actors and actresses
who are willing to recite a war poem or do
a turn to help the war funds. This, of
course, scarcely applies to the few leaders
OF the profession who originated the idea
ment which eliminated in Mrs. Brown Pot
ters The Chantant,' though the latter
has not escaped criticism. The Times set
the example by giving it a meager and I'M
complimentary report in its news columns,
and since then several society and other
papers have referred satirically to the ex-
cesses which marked the tipping and other
methods employed at the entertainment TO
raise funds. The amount of advertising
come of the theatrical nonentities have Sc
cured is not excused even by the presence
of royalties Many prominent members of
the American colony have freely expressed,
In private conversation. their disappoint-
ment and stronger feelings at the proceed
ings of this performance. Mr.. Joseph H.
ChOate. the United States ambassador, was
placed in an awkward position by finding,
upon his arrival here, that he was, appar-
entity. actively associated with 9Th
C~hantant's" management. One individual
was officially discountenanced by the en-
| bassy and the same was the case will sew
eral others, who, though known in the
London papers as Americans. are not
! claimed as such by the various ambassa-
doris. or are not received in New York So
ciety.
On the other hand. the hospital ship
Princess of Wales, fitted out at the instiga-
ton OF. and with the personal supervision
of the member of the royal family after
whom ii was named. was done quietly. and
is now ready to sail. A great part of the
cost was borne by the princess herself. but
its complete control is given to the army
medical department.
a rumor has been printed that the long
existing and strong family friendship be-
tween Mr.. Joseph Chamberlain and Sir AL
fred Miner may eliminate in their becom-
ing brothers-in-law. But a representative
of the Associated Press learns that Mr.
is married. So. unless Sir Alfred Miner
weds n sister of one of Mr.. Chamberlain
former wives. 1T is hard to see how the tie
can be effected. Those who know Sir Alfred
Miner say he is not of the marrying kind
and his intimates discredit the rumor, say
ing the acquaintanceship of the Governor
of Cape Colony with Mr.. Chamberlain Is
confined to a few official interviews"
BRITAIN AND BOER.