Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-10
SENTIMENT CHANGES
Public Opinion Of the War Takes On Quite a
Different Phase.
TOUCHES THE PEOPLE IN THEIR HEARTS
In Public Places Funeral Silence Succeeds
Merry Laughter,
OUTCOME OF THE STRUGGLE DOUBTFUL
Chamberlain is nethroned for Plunging the
Country Into the War.
TREATED CooLLY BY HIS COLLEAGUES
Political Troubles Worry Him, His
Health is Poor and He Loses
by Means of Unfortu-
nate Investments. Il

Copyright 1899, by Press Publishing Coz
LONDON, Dec. 9.-(New York World Ca
blegram-Special Telegram. Public senti-
ment on the war is undergoing a marked
change. The gravity of the situation in
South Africa is now recognized. The strug-
gle is expected to be protracted and it's out
come even doubtful. This does not weaken
the resolve to see 1t through, but alters the
aspect of the ministers responsible for the
war. Yesterday there was cabinet meet
ing, but the cheering crowd was absent and
the assembling ministers were watched only
by a few pressmen
The west end is unusually crowded with
society people, but depression reigns SUI
preme. Last night the dining room at the
Carlton was crowded with fashionable wo-
men gaily dressed, but instead of merry peals
of laughter and the customary gay chatter
prevailing the silence at times was almost
funereal.
At the outset the war got into the heads
of the people; now 1t has reached their
hearts.
Colonial Secretary Joseph Chamberlain has
been dethroned. His reception by his col
leagues at yesterdays meeting was remark
ably cool. Chancellor of the Exchequer
Beach is said to have asked Lord Salisbury
whether Chamberlains triple alliance speech
was made with his foreknowledge. This
put Chamberlain on the defense, but he
found no support Lord Salisbury cannot
unload Chamberlain in the thick of the pres
ent crisis. But as the stories run, they
never will forgive him for the humiliation
he has brought upon the country and them
selves. This bitterness is accentuated by his
responsibility for the calamitous war into
which, it is now realized, he rushed the
country with criminal recklessness.
Conscious of His Position.
Chamberlain shows consciousness of his
shaky position. In the spring he was Of
fered an honorary degree by Dublin univer-
sity, but he excused himself from travelling
to Dublin to take it owing to the pressure
OF official work. He has now volunteered
TO take the degree on the 18th; although the
work is heavier than ever. He thinks the
ceremonial will assist in rehabiltating him,
but it is quite likely to have an opposite
effect.
The Irish Transvaal committee is arrang
ing hostile reception for him and If Cham
berlain shows himself in public there GER
tainly will be disturbances. This will be his
first visit to Ireland since he deserted Glad
stone and home rule
BY strange irony this week Chamberlain
btion by securing the coveted prize for a
hybrid orchid, his own production and the
result of eighteen anxious years of expert
ments, He christened the orchid, Cham
bcrlainana Triumphans," particularly un
happy inspiration at this moment.
Nor are his troubles solely political. He
looks unhealthy and ages rapidly. His tenn
per is becoming uncomfortable, In addition
he has suffered heavy financial losses
through unfortunate manufacturing specula-
ticns into which he put his sons. From be-
ing worth 100000 to $15O,OOO year, his in
come is now reduced to point at which his
cabinet salary of $4,000 becomes a consider
alton. Chamberlain has always been pitt
lessy selfish in the pursuit of his own per-
sonal ambitions so his fall evokes no SYM
pathy He is not known to have a solitary
personal friend on earth outside of his fam
ily