The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-12-17
GERMAN GOODNESS
TOWARD ENGLAND
Won BuIoW's Signifi-
cant Speech.
FILINGS DOWN THE GAUNTLET
BERLIN WOULD PROFIT BY
ALBIoN'S REVERSES.
Language of the Minister Dissipates
the Rumor of an Alliance
Between the Two
Nations.
BERLIN WOULD PROFIT 3
ALBION'S REVERSES.
copyrighted. 1893. by the Associated Pres.

LONDON. Dec. l6.-The grave situation
confronting Great Britain in South Africa
almost obliterates the effect OF the speech
OF the German Minister OF Foreign At
fairs. Count Won Bulow, in the Reichstag
on Monday last Though scarcely any
announcement OF recent years has had so
much bearing on the future Of Europe. in
spite OF the uniformed comment in some
English quarters that Count Won Bulow
spoke merely for political effect-in other
words. "jollied" the Reichstag by means
Of Jingoistc sophistries, for home con-
sumption, 10 vote for the navy-in Vienna
which is in closer touch with Berlin than
any other capital. Count Won Bulow is in
terpreted as fiinging down the gauntlet TO
Great Britain. The Neue Freie Presse,
which has personal connection with the
Foreign Minister of Germany, declares
Germany is determined to obtain the
greatest possible advantage from the
South African complications, and adds:
The cool mention Of England dissipates
all apprehensions caused by Emperor
Williams stay at Windsor. and IT is not
impossible that England's difficulty may
in certain circumstances, be GeTmany's
opportunity"
The Vienna correspondent of the Stand
ard, detailing much similar comment, re-
iterates what has often been heard here,
namely, that Great Britain is more hated
on the Continent on account OF her in
reference in behalf OF the United States
when the latter was at war with Spain
than for any other recent cause. Why
Count Won Bulow should have gone out
OF his way 10 indicate the possibility of
Great Britain's hostility and belittle tho
friendship between her and Germany Is
an enigma yet unsolved by any British
authority. A consensus OF the best
man Minister wished to Offset Mr.. Cham
berlain's rash speech at Leicester. Yet
this seems a small excuse for such Ian
guage at this period, while the sugges-
ton that Count Won Bulow spoke for
purely political effect IL dismissed as be-
ing entirely uncharacteristic OF the man
who is rapidly achieving the reputation
or being the first statesman in Europe.
so far says the Saturday Review,
referring to the war, I'VE have been able
to answer each reverse by the potent ar
gument OF another division. but that can
not last forever"
Such an expression. appearing in an
tra-conservative and optimistic publica-
While the Won Bulow anti-Britishisms
have not stirred up criticism. the public is
just beginning 10 realize that with 100 600
men In the field no progress is being made
in any direction, and Kimberley and
Ladysmith seem as far off as ever from
the promised relief.
While General Buffers reverse was an
unexpected blow 70 the public that had
pinned its faith TO him, IL would appear
that the original plan OF campaign, IL ad-
neTed TO, would nave given better. results,
for the besieged towns have shown them
selves quite capable of holding out. As
IL is now, the British forces are split up,
have been seriously repulsed. are unable
10 cooperate, and, at any rate for the
present, are unable to reach their OBJ
jectiVe 1t was for this plan that the CEN
trail advance was sacrificed. Even the re-
lief OF Ladysmith can scarcely have great
alleviating consequences to the campaign
q s a whole, unless its moral effect quiets
the growing disaffection in Cape Colony
lg.g,. 80 . ln 20
Gus extent than their other minor re-
verses have so far done.
But. however looked at, the British po-
sition IS most unenviable, and there is q
derry urges the War. ONCE to send out
10000 more men, saying; Conceive the
effect on the empire II Methuen Is forced
TO surrender"
The St James Gazette caps this with
the intimation that the treasury is with
III this is so, even Lord Salisbury's re-
luctance TO sacrifice a colleague Will not
serve to shield minister who stands be-
tween England and the restoration of her
damaged superiority in South Africa"
On the other hand, there are many mag
nificent examples, through public speeches
and editorials, OF the great common sense
which is the backbone OF the nation
There are people who implore Englishmen
not to make fools OF themselves, and not
TO imagine that a few reverses make IL
necessary to drain the country of every
man able to carry a rifle. The volunteers
are greatly worked up and numbers OF APP
plications 10 serve in regiments have been
received. The Associated Press learns.
however. that Lord Wolseley believes that
though these men are excellent as Voiun-
teers, they lack the evenness in the ranks
and among the officers which marks a line
regiment. To use his own words, They
are brilliant in spots, but weak in others:
and. while he appreciates the offers, he
sees no way TO accept them at present
The action of the National Liberal Fed
Grafton this week in deciding TO support
a vigorous prosecution of the war, but re-
serving the full right of criticism now
and In the future, while stating that there
IS much TO be deplored in the conduct OF
the negotiations preceding the hostilities
may be said TO voice the opinion of the
bulk OF the Liberal party.
The correspondent Of the Standard sue-
gests that the United States Government
ought 10 present the British Consuls in
Spain with a years salary in each case
as a recognition OF their services during
the war, as they had much extra work
and were subjected to insults There are
only five OF these Consuls. They received
queries from the Secretary of State az
Washington regarding their extra ex
pense and fees collected while guarding
United States interests. but nothing fur,
Their resulted.