New-York tribune., 1899-11-26
WAR TALK IN LONDON.
COMMENTS AND CRITICISMS ON IhE
CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE BOERs.


CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE BoEks'
London. Nov. 25-The Transvaal war becomes
a matter OF momentary interest compared WIN
the tremendous possibilities in the East oepehu-
ent on exertions which are now occupyihe '''
diplomats of Europe. and the war ''sei i
reached stage where even British interest
somewhat flags. The advance OF the uoops "
the relief OF Ladysmith. Kimberley ana Ma
,o,,,,u q, rooaseorlv clothed in secrecy. which
IS only broken by the news of desultory an
oagernerts The last week seems to have al
tered h,t little the conditions described In these
disnatches Even if General White holds out
rntn reIieved II will only remove a picturesque
nbase of the campaign. and does not mean that
II will hasten its speedy end. The Beers IL Is
said are not likely to risk the deciding battle
of the war until they have got General buiei
invading force into position believed 10 pe Ia
vorable to them, until they are driven lil'o
corner. which promises to be a matter OF
months
The criticism of the methods Of the British
army organization has led several writer's TO
consider again seriously the advisability OF
adopting some form Of conscription, but although
a preponderance Of military experts might favor
such a step. the British nation has not yet
reached that stage where 1t could submit TO
such miiitarism.
In a letter received at his home. written on
the eve Of the battle Of Elandslaagte, the SIX
teen -year-old trumpeter Shurlock. or the oth
Royal Irish) Lancers, who shot three Boers
shows that he lived up to his word All the
other boys" wrote Shurlock were left behind
at Pietermaritzburg l am just enjoying myself
all right here. l went to revolver practice the
other day The sergeant major said Very good
md I hot I viii shoot
of the Beers down If get the least chance
The speech Of James Bryce, NJ. p. this week
at Aberdeen, when the electors passed vote or
confidence in him. has been the cause of much
comment. He presented the Liberal case with
great fairness. Speaking in statesmanlKe
manner and laying special stress on the Amerl-
can Revolution. he showed that seif-governihg
colonies could only be retained by friendship
and not by force of arms.
Among the serious minded, conservative Eng
lish people there is a growing feeling OF disgust
at the spread of namby- -pambyism which finds
an excuse in the war The hysterical outbreak
which has ensued since Tommy Atkins" and
his officer became full hedged society craze
has already been the subject Of satirical articles
in the better class of British publications, ana
now all signs point to reaction from that uh-
reasoning enthusiasm which is responsible for
s. undlgnlfeQ antCS never "cic 'He 'iN
English army officers so aghast when they
read Of the Queens decision 10 send box OF
chocolate to each man in the field as a Christ
mas present Compared with her simple speeches
at her farewells to the troops this announce
ment appeared as sudden descent lroh the
sublime to the ridiculous.
While the big West End caterers are busy
shipping hundreds Of cases of champagne and
do foIa 70 he
South Africa society women working fever
ishly making plum puddngs for these unfor-
tunates Many Of the puddings contain costly
iewery, tie pins, rings and other mementos
/ from adOring womankind. Lady Colin Camp
bell has made no fewer than JOG plum puddngs
for the Dublin Fusiliers and several puddings
have been sent to Winston Churchill, addressed
10 Pretoria Though the majority of such ef-
forts are doubtless prompted by genuine patriot
| ism and a desire to alleviate the sunerlnGs OF
| the soldiers. the charitable movement IS taken
advantage Of by notorious self advertisers both
| social and mercantile. Women who nave not
/ been received in society, in spite OF the ehor's
| Of years have been untiring in their endeaVors
| TO get publicity for their particular scheme 10
| raise money or articles to send out 10 South
| Africa Incidentally. it is announced that the
| Duke of Abercorn has ordered for the field Red
| Cross three hundred dozen of Messrs. So-and-
| Sos handkerchiefs, which are famous for their
| softness and delicate texture" etc, and every
| theatrical press agent in the country is reaping
harvests by obtaining gratuitous advertisements
| from hitherto unheard Of actors ana actresses
| who are willing to recite war poem or 90 d
turn" TO help the funds. This, or course
| scarcely applies to the few leaders or the pro-
| fession who originated the idea or an American
4 quota Of charity, movement which culmlnateo
| in Mrs Brown Potter's the chantant' thoueh
| the latter has not escaped criticism. ,
| The hospital ship Princess or wales, nt'eo
| ont AT the instigation of and with the personal
| sunervsion OF the member Of the royal famlly
| after whom Il was named is now ready 10 san.
| A great part of the cost was borne by the PIlh-
| cesss own pocket but its complete control is
| given to the Army Medical Department.
| A rumor has been printed that the long exist
| ing and strong family friendship between Jo-
| seph Chamberlain and Sir Alfred Miner may
| culminate in their becoming brothers-in-aw'
| Rut II is learned that Mr.. Chamberlain mas only
! one sister and she is married. so, unless Slr
| Alfred Mjlner weds sister Of one OF Mr. Cham-
| berlain's former wives. II is hard to see now the
| tie can be effected Those who know Sir AHreo
| Miner say he is not of the marrying klnd' ana
| his intimates discredit the rumor, saving the
| mountaineering of the Governor OF Cape Col
ony with Mr.. Chamberlain Is confined TO rev
official interviews