The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-12-04
JOS. CHAMBERLAIN
CREATED A Juror
Secretary Hays Denial Was to
Be Expected.
SLOW PROGRESS IN THE WAR
General Methuen is Described as Being
Alright Spot in the Great
South African Cam
paign
SLOW PROGRESS IN THE WAR

London, December S.-Mr. Chamberlain's
liking for straight-flung words has not only
thrown the capitals of Europe into a tur-
mol, but his declarations have been by no
means acceptable to those in England who
are responsible for the relations with the
ohlted States. 1t appears that when Mr.
Choate made his Thanksgiving speech he
was quite ignorant that Mr.. Chamberlain
was speaking so definitely regarding tangi-
Die alliances, and the ambassador did not
intend his generaMsms regarding Great
Britain, Germany and the United States to
be taken as confirmation of the colonial
secretary's outspoken remarks. 1t would
seem that Mr.. Chamberlain only told half
the truth, for, In these dispatches Novem-
Der 20, 1t was pointed out that negotiations
were afoot for an alliance looking for
settlement of the far eastern question.
In view of Secretary Hays denial to the
chinese rumors it is presumed that the
United States, at any rate as yet, has not
deeideta to claim any sphere In China. Ac-
cording to opinion here, Secretary Hays
denial was only to be expected at this
stage, and whether or not it correctly fore
casts the attitude of the United States 1t is
not regarded as dissipating the belief that
the. open door is now the basis of negotia-
lions between the powers, far more compre-
henslVe than mere answers to the United
States requests for assurances.
In addition to being the center of attrac-
ton of Europes excitement over mooted
alliances, Mr.. Chamberlain occupies the
center of the stage in the French British
dispute. His official recognition of the
French press diatrlbes and threat of re-
taliation made in his Leicester speech have
supporters, while his utterances irritated
France to an alarming extent.
His Head Has Been Turned
The Speaker declares Mr.. Chamberlains
head has been turned by his interview with
the emperor, and expresses the hope that
the French nation will not forget that he
is not yet foreign secretary.
The fact that the French naval attache.
speaking at the Temple Yacht club dinner
simultaneously with Mr.. Chamberlain, en-
phatieally disowned before Admiral Beres-
ford and other attaches and 700 prominent
Britons, the attacks on the queen, has rem
dered Mr.. Chamberlain's notice of them
more striking. The Associated Press learns
that the French naval attaches speech was
revised by the French ambassador and was
made at his personal request. ~
The conservative French papers contrast
Mr.. Chamberlain's remarkable utteranees
with those of Admiral Beresford, who fol-
lowing the French naval attache, declared
that a few caricaturists could not be taken
to represent a nation.
Thus 1t is seen Mr.. Chamberlain has stir
red up a hornets nest.
The South African war progresses slowly.
The work of rectifying the false military
situation is evidently none too easy. Gem
eral Buffers campaign, instead of being
aggressive, as planned, is now wholly sub
servient to the necessity of relieving KIM
berley and Ladysmith. 1t seems that both
objects will soon be gained. though not
without another engagement between Cen
eral Whites unstrengthened forces, and
tie reinforced Beers. General Methuen Is
described in a weekly as being a bright
spot in the Boer campaign. He has won
great popular favor by his victories on the
march to Kimberley. No one, 1t is said,
knows the topography between the Orange
river and Kimberley better than he does.
He traversed in 1884 all the ground he is
now operating on. The general works his
men harder than almost any other British
officer and is somewhat Spartan in his
habits. taking enlisted mems rations and
leading their life, in contrast to General
Clery, who is accompanied by French
chef and strictly ordered his staff to take
out an ample supply of stores and deliea-
eies.
"Aids to Scouting"
Colonel Baden-Powell's book, aids to
Scouting" proofs of which he read at
Mafeking, will be published this week The
story is now told as to how Colonel Baden
Powell went to Mafeking. 1t appears that
while on leave in London in July, having
left his regiment in India, he met Lord
Wosely in Paccadilly.