The record-union., 1899-12-17

waTmest sympathy for the British army
in its nadsfortunes, and adds; Every
liberal nation In the world would deeply
regret If the position of Great Britain,
the standard-bearer of civilization, We're
shaken Austria Hungary would sorely
feel the consequences Of any loss OF
power by England
COMMENT OF AUSTRIAN PRESS.
VIENNA, Dec. 16.-General Buffers
reverse was commented on In the Aus
TRAN press to-day. Most papers incline
to the assumption that General Buffers
military motives in hurrying engage
ments are found in the situation at
Ladysmith, and they conclude that ca
pitulation OF that place shortly may be
expected.
The "Fremdenblatt" fears these sue
cesses will bring the Beers fresh aux
iliaries from the Dutch Cape Colonists.
but adds; yet 1t Is to be seen whether
the Beers know how to follow UP vic
tory"
The ''Deutsche yolksblatt" believes
the cause Of General Buffers defeat, as
on previous occasions, was faulty recon-
noitering.
NO SORROW IN FRANCE.
PARIS, Dec 16.-For the first time
this week Parisans met hoarse-voiced
news vendors running along the boule-
wards to-day shouting: Crushing de-
feat of the English, . Great victory for.
the Beers" and displaying the front
sheets Of their papers bearing in big
headlines. THE English Routed" etc.
The French people heard and read the
news with interest. and discussed the
British defeats in the parks and cafes
without a display of sorrow or SYM
pathy for the British, but at the same
time without any outward demonstra-
ton Of gleeful satisfaction that could
be regarded as offensive to the British
spectators. The violently "Anglophobe
press" such as La Libre Parole" and
La Patrie," naturally treat the British
disaster as joyful idings.
La Temps" comments upon the
weakness Of Great Britain's army to
cope with the present emergency, and
says: "Mr. Chamberlain little suspected
that the letting loose of this war was
going to reveal the insufficiency of the
military forces of the British COLOSSUS.
La Patrie" which tells it's readers
that Mr.. Chamberlain is seeking to
bring about a war with France in order
to restore in the eyes of Europe Great
Britain's prestige, so shaken by the de-
feats of her army by the Beers, says
that a few more disasters like that at
Magersfontein and Tugela River will
mean a British war with France in the
coming spring, and declares that the
concentration of the French northern
fleet at Brest and the recall of the
Mediterranean squadron to Tou1on are
the first precautionary measures taken
by the French authorities.
1.-THE British army" La Patrie"
adds, "has lived century on the repu-
tation of the Duke of wellington, and
perhaps the navy also lives solely on
the reputation of Nelson. The war In
the Transvaal has demonstrated the
weak points of the British army, the
weakness of the British Empire, the in
pacity of its military chiefs and the
fictitious strength of its troops, who
only had to fight savages.'
The same paper publishes the report
of an interview with a French General,
whose name is not given, who describes
the ignorance displayed by the British
officers as 'unheard off, and declares
that 1.-THE Beers are evidently superior
in tactics and strategy, and perhaps IN
courage