The record-union., 1899-11-12

Having thus become the object OF un-
solicited attention, it is quite probable
that the American negroes who still
retain the reigns of Government in this
slice of the west coast Of Africa may
soon be threatened with the possibility
of exercising their privileges under the
tutelage of one of the great Powers,
though in such an arrangement the
United States, by virtue of the original
settlement, would doubtless have some
share.
The losses suffered by General
Whites force have only helped to swell
the continuous procession of regular
volunteer and ex-army officers who
have importuned the War Office to
send them out Such enthusiasm, how
ever, does not seem to have. spread to
Ireland, for it is said that the families
of some of the soldiers of the Irish
regiments recently engaged have re-
fused them permission to return to
their homes. Such bitterness seems
almost incredible, but it is vouched fol
by an Irish High Sheriff
Although the general feeling of sym
pathy is undoubted, it does not pre-
vent frequent criticisms of the methods
followed by the British The country
around Ladysmith is emiHently suited
for cavalry, yet, with ona brilliant ex-
ception, that of General Brocklehurst's
sortie, this arm has been apparently
of little service in either attacking or
in preserving the lines of communities
ton, while the capture a the Eigh-
teenth Hussars must have had a most
serious moral effect.
The Intelligence Department of the
War Office comes in for tart comment.
1t is said that Lord Wolseley himself
is unable to understand the ignorance
of this department regarding many es-
sentials of the Beers strength, espec-
tally their artillery -
The advance to the RELIEF of General
and in the meantime whatever hap
pens at Ladysmith, little news is likely
to reach London. The lull gives the
opportunity for a discussion of Great
Britain's police and military position
1t is beginning to be asked whether,
looking at the present experience, the
British army is equal to the national
needs Lieutenant Colonel Sir Wolfe
Barry, of the Engineer and Railroad
Volunteer Corps staff, says:
In military matters Great Britain is
trading with insufficient capital She
ought to add 100000 men to her
army"
George Baird Shaw, the author, in
kins" can be expected to shoot as well
as the Beers, when the nation be-
grudges the money to enable him to
practice"
The public is beginning, with some
anxiety, to wonder what would hap
pen should any great Power take the
opportunity to attack Great Britain.
The frankness of the Duke of Cam
bridge, Lord Salisbury and Lord Wolse-
ley regarding the unpreparedness to
meet the Beers promises some lively
times for the Government when Parli-
ament reassembles. Altogether, moth
ing could be more welcome under the
present circumstances to the British
States, Great Britain and Germany are
working amicably together in the in
terests of peace.
In connection with the Anglo Amer
lean understanding regarding the open
door in China, Japans attitude in Far
Eastern Asia is much canvassed. Sew
eral correspondents in China talk of a
coming conflict between Japan and
Russia over Corea. A letter from
Seoul, which appears in the Times
to-day, says:
The Japanese are convinced that to
permit Russia to acquire Corea or to
establish Russian ascendency in North
ern China would be strategically, polit
ically and commercially a deadly men
ace to Japan's rapidly developing
strength Japan believes her navy is
strong enough to attack Russia, and
the general opinion is that the inter
ests of the two nations are so conflict
ing that it is impossible to avoid a rup-
ture in the near future"
The Spectator discusses the matter
and thinks such a. conflict extremely
probable. but does not see any cause
for Great Britain to interfere, adding:
Let the bear and shark fight their
quarrel for themselves, while we, with
America, insist upon the open door
policy
Lord Aberdeen, speaking at Scarbor-
ough, referred to Canada as the
brightest jewel in the British crown,
destined to take still higher part in
the imperial Government" and prophe
sled an increase in the brotherhood, not
only between Canada and Great Bri-
tain, but between Canada and the
United States.
The curious spectacle of a royal
spending every day from II to
8 in unpacking and sorting garments
for the poor was provided this week.
when the Duchess of York, attended
by two titled ladies in waiting. was
spending the whole time in helping to
the exhibits of needlework OF
the guild of which she is the head.
Mail advices announce the safe ar
rival of the American explorer, DON
aldson Smith, at Hargeisa, Somaliland.
Mr. Smith intends to push on to Lake
and thence explore the un-
known country westward.
SCHnnNER VIM IT RPM