The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-10-01
BOER WAR THE
ABSORBING TOPIC
Occupies Large Share Of Public At
lcniOn In London.
ALASKA DISPUTE DISCUSSED
Canada and England Consulting Over
the Natter Daily Mail'SOpin-
ion OfDewey'S Reception.
ocopydshted. isss. BY Associated pressl

QCopyrghted, 1879, by ASSOCIATED Preeol
LONDON, Sept. s0.-comment re-
garding the personnel and material ot
the British force which Is expected to
Be nghtlng within a short time In South
Africa continues to occupy a large
share Of public attention.
Many criticisms appear. blaming the
government for not permitting the war
Office some months agO to put an ads-
ouate defense force on the probable
Is almost certain General Sir Redvers
Butler. the former adiutAnt general
viii have supreme command in South
Africa In the meantime the military
responsibilities are divided between
Major General George Stewart White
and Lieutenant General Frederick Will
liam Foster Walker. the latter at the
Cape and the former in Natal. each
being supreme over his own state
General White. who Is described as q
fghting man. keen as mustard" has
not ye, arrived in Natal. Upon him
viii devolve tie duty OF checking any
desOlutory boer raids or in case Of
actual hOstilities OF holding Natal until
General Buffers army corps arrive,
when the aggressive British campaign
viii probably occur. Some dissatisfac-
tion is expressed because General
White has never served in South Afri-
ca. 1t is generally thought that the
fghung abilities win more than make
up his lack Of typographical know
ledge. Under Generals White and Wal
ker will be a host OF officers specially
selected for ;heir knowlcdge Of Boer
methods and sou;h African campaign
ing.
General Sir William Symond. Cen
eral Whites sec ,nd In command. Is 0ne
Of the few survivors Of the massacre
Of Isandiwhana, The artillery in Ma
tai win be commanded by Colonel
downing. late chief instructor in the
school OF gunnery, shoeburyness. who
has the highest scientific and practical
reputation. comparing somewhat with
Rear-Adndral sampson's reputation in
the United States navy as an ordnance
expert Mayor General French. COM
nandlng the cavalry. is dashing Of
ficer. somewhat on the lines Of an
American officer. General Young. serv-
ed through the early EgypHln cam
paigns. Much has Dcen sail rega'd-
ing the ph;si.Ii untitness OF large
OF the British rank and file
going to South Africa 0r already th.ae.
A great difference OF opinion on the
subject exists. But 1t can be said that
the regiments selected are beliveved to
have the highest standard OF physique
and are all comparatively long service
men. I
Many OF the British officers believe
the Mausers with which the Beers are
armed. is superior to the Lee-MetfOrd.
Of the British forces, against civilized
troops.
The Indian and Australian horses will
De much used by the cavalry and
Infantry will probably suffer
more from the change Of country than
he men, being obliged to live on oats
md mealies, a form OF fodder they
IRE utterly unacoustomed TO.
The apparent inclination OF the Sec
-etary OF state for war, the Marquis
II L.ansdowne, TO run the campaign
on his own ideas and his
tendency to consult subordinate Off
,ers have called forth a published re-
hinder that he has a capable comman-
Ter In charge at his elbow. Some com
,arisons are made as to the status Of
HELD Martial Lord wolseley compared
With that OF Major General Miles, when
he latter was reported to have been
isregarded by Secretary Alger.