The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-10-29
REVIEW OF THE SITUATION.
Britain and the Triple Alliance-NO
Picnic in South Africa.

NEW YORK, Oct. ga dispatch to the
Tribune, from London, says: Mr.. Cham
berlain was the chief figure of the war ses-
sion of Parliament, which closed on Friday,
but Mr.. Wyndham has gained an increased
reputation by the cle&rness, ability and
courtesy with which he discussed the army
estimates Wider lines Of cleavage have
opened in Mr.. Gladstone's home-rule party
in consequence of the hostile attitude Of the
Irish Nationalist toward the war measures
which were rendered unavoidable by Presi-
dent Krugers ultimatum- The Liberals,
with few exceptions, have joined forces
with the Unionists. Lord Rosebery's short
speech at Bath is model of reticence and
good sense, which the London press gener-
ally commends. His point that the Boer
ultimatum cut short all discussion of ques-
lions relating to diplomatic correspondence
and the adequacy of the war preparations
Is unanswerable, and equally cogent is his
plea that partisan criticism is out of place
when the two races are watching struggle
for supremacy in South Africa, and all Eu-
rope waiting to see whether England will
stumble or fail.
while an atmosphere of suspicion has
been created in Russia and France by the
English ornaments, 1t is noticeable that
the influence of the triple alliance operated
to command good feeling and respect for
the British government on the part of Ger
many, Austria and Italy. England Is Slip
ping back into her old-time position as the
naval power in reserve behind the triple
alliance. French rumors that the German
Emperor will postpone his visit 10 England
are not confirmed, but there is much of a
secret underplot in progress on the CONT
nent, with an early meeting OF the Car
and the German Emperor as an interesting
episode Bismarck supplemented the triple
alliance with a secret understanding with
Russia, but that was because he was in
different to the fate OF Constantinople and
Asia Minor. The German Emperor's secret
understanding is with England and that is
because he is not idle spectator of what
is going on I'm the Sultan's dominions. There
will be neither European interference nor
else, unless England meets some great dis
aster, or there is an outbreak OF civil war
on q large scale In South africa with the
native tribes joining In the fray.
"One OF the best military experts in Lon
don takes serious view of the British diff
culties I'm South Africa. He asserts that
the British plan of defense of the western
border IS as defective the Glencoe-I.ady-
smith line in Natal, which General White
, Was SOihPeNeu 10 ao shN III an nour OF
separated by long distances. The Beers are
already between Colonel Plumer and
and Kimberley and between Kimberley and
Cape Town. Three weak garrisons are cut
off from one another and cannot be REIN
will speedily capture Mafeking. which is in
capable OF defense, and he fears that Kim
berley will also be taken. He also forecasts
raids from the Free State border, by which
Ladysmith VIII be cut of from communica-
ton with the sea- The railway crosses sew
eral rivers on the way from the coast base
and he asserts that nothing will be easier
than the destruction of the bridges by bands
or five hundred or one thousand raiders
from the mountain passes. Even il General
Joubert'S force Is not masSed between
Ladysmith and the sea he apprehends that
in spite OF the encouraging news received
from the western border. General Butler
will learn soon after his arrival at Cane
Town that Mafeking has fallen and thai
Kimberley Is closely invested. and that
General Whites army is cut of from ifs
base Of supplies and reinforcements. He
also forecasts the success OF the Beers I'm
harassing the army corps on its long march
thr )ugh the Free State to Pretoria and I'm
constantly threatening the lines OF COM
munication by unexpected raids and the de-
struction OF bridges He SCOTS at The tdea
that the British will have a holiday march
northward when the army corps Is ready
TO advance in December. These are The
views OF an experienced veteran who has
fought many battles. but IL Is only iusf 20
add that he assumes that the Boer generals