The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-07-23
VERY DREARY SESSION
OfParIiament Will Soon Come
to a Close.
BRITISH NAVAL GUNNERY
To be Brought Up to Date
Present Naval PIay-War.

(Copyright, 1899. the Associated Press.J
London. July 22-The close Of one Of the
most dreary sessions Of parliament with
sn the memory Of men now living Is In
sight. The members of the house OF COM
mons expect to fit about August l. in
fine to reach the moors for the opening
sof the grouse shooting, which begins
August T. The government has met
rebuffs in both houses Of parliament and
the reduced majorities with which they
have carried some pet measures have con-
stituted moral victories for the oppo-
-Rition. The Conservative leaders, In short
have displayed their special vacillauon'
sndecision and feebleness in resisting the
Edemands of the classes against the
masses" Lobbying has been more preva-
Gent than ever before Unfortunately LOT
lhhe success Of the Liberal party the lead
hers on that side have shown little aou-
hude to score of the numerous shortcom-
Sings of the Tories or to profit by the re-
HellIousness that several government
pnaasures awakened in the ranks of Lord
Falisbury's adherents. In short, the Lib
.rrals have shown themselves rather
tlemagogical opposers; than initiators OF
ANY new line of policy. Otherwise they
isnight more than once have forced dis
solution of parliament and appealed to the
6ountry with success.
B The determination of the admiralty TO
Improve the gunnery of the navy has
hcome none too soon, in the opinion OF e1-
tpers, and there is general satisfaction
Mat the authorities have decided to fol-
low the example of the United states
navy and double the allowance OF ammu-
milton for firing practice. The "unpleas-
santness" between the United States and
Spain demonstrating the admirable gun
llery of the American navy, coupled with
official returns just issued and showing
Ahat the best British gunners failed to
alit the target seventy out OF every one
. hundred. shots. has awakened the admir-
.eIty to the necessity Of mending matters.
In his statement in the house Of COM
.Hnons yesterday relative TO the shipbuild-
sng vote, Rt. Hon. George ]. Goschen,
First lord fthe admiralty, practically
5corroborated the recent statement of an
Admiralty officer to the Associated Press,
lr'that, for its size, the American navy is
Nine a navy as ever existed, and much
could be learned from it," and that, mean
nghile, he hoped that the naval intelli-
kEence would be enhanced.
The mobilization OF huge fleet engag-
ed in the present maneuvers Is carrying
hput a plan of operations OF the most in
4erestIng character. The plan supposes
F,fv 40 ha af mn with ron.f-
mental power. and convoy Of British
merchant ships carrying food and sup
plies is crossing the Atlantic from Hall
fax under a small escort. The enemy
sends a feet to intercept the convoy and
Great Britain sends feet to intercept
that Of It's adversary. The enemy, how
ever, relies upon numerous torpedo boats
ISSUED from Irish ports for the purpose
Aof harassing the British while he cap
9ures the convoy. Great Britain, on the
other hand. relies upon torpedo boat de-
Etroyers to cope with the torpedo boats
und give free play to the sea-going ships.
The real test Is, thus, torpedoes against
torpedo boat destroyers. The result must
he most interesting and must largely con-
arol the future policy with regard to the
building Of torpedo boat destroyers.
While President Kruger declined to
Sield 10 the petitions Of the Outlanders
and the arguments of the British high
commissioner of South Africa, Sir Alfred
Hiilner, he seems inclined TO yield to
the more forcible hints OF the war office. |
comprised in unobtrusive but obvious
military preparations. The sudden change
of front by the Volksraad In adopting
abe franchise proposition on last Tuesday
s. a forcible demonstration of the claim
that President Kruger can and does yield
when the proper pressure is applied. but
not otherwise. As Mr.. Chamberlain said |
Sn the course Of his speech in the house
of commons on Thursday regarding the
notifications of the franchise law in the
Transvaal. the concessions do not end the |
difficulties, but merely offer basis for
pacific settlement. and former expert
ences with the Transvaal have taught the
government that it is inadvisable in any