The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-12-24
NO HOPE OF
MEDIATION
Lord Salisbury Would Not Consider
Offer of II in Any Form.
ENGLAND PREPARED TO WAIT.
The Estimate OF Length OF War Is
From Three Months TO One Year.
There Is No Likelihood or
European Intervention.
ENGLAND PREPARED TO WAIT'

Cartwright. 1893. by the Associated Press)
LONDON. Dec. 23.-Not for many years
past has Great Britain faced such situa-
ton as confronts her this Christmas
vet to meet il there has arisen
a new Britain, which by its viriiity ana
pluck EFFORTS admiration even from heI
bitterest continental critics.
sinre the boastfulness has disappeared
from the British press, the comments OF
the foreign papers, at least such as are
nrinted here, are couched in tones lar
more fair and friendly than when IL was
believed a speedy victory awaited Gen
eral Butler
As repeatedly asserted. there is no llkell-
hood Of European Intervention, yet W.
T. stead. i'm the Daily Chronicle. to-day
has q very alarming column IN Which
he has visions of a superior Jameson
raid" by sixty thousand Frenchmeh OF
London in the absence of the chahnei
feet.
Mr.. Stead points out how easily in his
opinion, this might be accomplished ana
says:
ITO rely, as some appear to 90 upon
the addition Of number of raw recruits
under the excitement and stimulus OF the
present war fever is to rely on broken
reed Woolwfch arsenal might be In
flames and the French tri-color flying over
Westminster Palace before the first OF
these new recruits would have learned 10
handle a gun"
SEEK MEDIATION.
Though Great Britains plight in south
Africa seems temporarily critical, the AS
sociated Press learns that the Beers are
IN IL
tion of President Mckinley towards
favorable peace. But any one WIN the
slightest understanding OF British feeling
quickly appreciates that not one person
n, a million contemplates any result but
an ultimate British triumph and all sec
lions unite in saying this must be secured
M matter what the cost. Hence, the boer
agents themselves have only the shght
homes that mediation would be accepted
though believing, If President Mckinney
could be persuaded 10 proffer IT, Ioru
Salisbury, though perhaps bound TO refuse
wonld lose humanitarian sympathy IN the
Unified States and thus divert 20 the Beers
much wavering sentiment.
The Associated Press is informed from
excellent sources, that no offer OF meula-
lion would be accepted by Lord salisbury
I'm any shape or form. The popular con-
ception of peace is that II must come
through the idol of the army, Genera
Roberts, and his not less adored chiei Oh
staff. General Kitchener. The country i
prcpared to wait indefinitely for that
ending. The fan Of Kimberley, Ladysinllh
and Mafeking would not make a particle
of difference, for this stoicai resolve Is
thoroughly imbedded in the hearts OF 'he
people who, for the first time In me mem
ory of this generation, have drank ueepiS
of the cup of military defeat and disgrace.
Anv other defeats that the future holds
for the British. except en,ire annihilatlon'
are ANTICIPATED by the scathing criticism
which the nation has inflicted upon itseH'
Estimates OF the duration OF hoslilllies
vary from three months 10 a year
The lack of news this week has by no
means been taken as an instance OF une
adage regarding no news. 4 very geheFdi
inpression prevails that Kimberley VIII
succumb.
WILL SHOOT CECIL RHODES.
An officer Of the British South Africa
Company. who has an intimate knowledge
of south Africa. tells the Associated
Press he believes that II the Beers capture
Cecil Rhodes they will shoot him.
Nowhere more than on the Stock EX-
change has the lack of information caused
extreme nervousness. II is realized that
II Kimberley falls DeBeers Mines shares
and interests will shrivei 10 nothing.
while the Chartered Company's vast Is
sues will lose what little bottom they
have left.
1t is learned by the Associated Press
that the great financial houses in London
have combined and furnished sufficient
money to insure no large failures on Set
fling Day. December 18th, though the
small fry may suffer
Unless this action had been taken sew
eral well-known houses. of large pro
portions. would. It is said. have to 20
under. This concerted precaution has, TO
some extent. restored confidence, but the