The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-06-25
SWORDS RATTLE
IN SCABBARDS
War Prospects the Absorbing
Topic In Great Britain.
ENGLISH PEOPLE ARE
BECOMING IMPATIENT
Demand to Know the Exact Situa-
ton of Affairs.

Warlike Preparations = Reason
For the Secrecy-Proceedings a
The Hague Regarding Defense
Arouse Some Comment.
| Copyright, 1899. by the Associated Press.
London, June 24-The rafting o
swords in their scabbards grows NOR
pronounced, though the war office re
fuses all information regarding thu
! Transvaal situation, and declines Il
either confirm or deny the repeated
circumstantial assertions of the closet
ing of the British military leaders OF
the dispatch of this or that regiment
to Capetown. Ministers, however, have
been unable to successfully parry the
multitude of questions raised in the
house of commons with the intention OF
getting some inkling of the govern
ment's intention. A reply of the par
liamentary secretary of the war office
George Wyndham, yesterday evening
is considered significant. He was ques-
toned as to the truth of the report that
the British garrison in South Africa
was to be gradually increased to 10000
men. Had the government wished to
give pacificatory answers with the view
of allaying the anxiety here and at the
Cape, the question offered an ample
opportunity. but Mr.. Wyndham replied
in two words: mo, sir.
The truth is that, whatever plans the
government has decided on, the minis
tiers regard it as impolitic to contradict
reports, however extravagant, of its
warlike intentions, because of the re-
verberations. These reports cannot fail
to produce at Pretoria an offset which
it would be foolish to impair by haSty
denials or notifications. At the same
time daily, almost hourly, kilograms
are arriving, announcing energetic
preparations in South Africa for all
contingencies.
While it is not true that General Sir
Redvers Butler has already been ap-
pointed to command the expedition,
there is no doubt he will make a big
bid for the command. He has been
heard to remark in private CONVERSE
ton that he reserved himself for go"
at the Beers, to repay some old
grudges.
Are Becoming Impatient.
In any case. the patience of every
body is rapidly becoming exhausted,
and the situation is daily getting more
intolerable. In fact, it has become so
acute that it must speed
lily be ended or amended. The big mill
tary expenditure of $40, 900, 900 provided
for in the military works loan bill in
troduced in the house of commons,
June 81, has caused some alarm among
the taxpayers. although it is admitted
that portion of the expenditure is
necessary by the increase in
the army.
The contrast OF the proceedings in
the house of commons and at The
Hague peace conference has also been
much commented on, while great deal
Of dissatisfaction has been aroused by
the intimation conveyed by the pro-
posed Notifications of the harbors that
Great Britain cannot rely on her navy
to defend her coasts. Rear Admiral
Beresford strongly opposed the forti-
fcationS, taking the same grounds as
Captain Alfred T. Mahan, United
States navy, that expenditure ought to
be voted to mobile instead of fixed de-
lenses, saying he thought that if Great
Britain was unable to attack her en-
amieS at sea, the empire would not last
ong.
The debate also raised the important
question of colonial contribution to the
imperial defence. 1t is pointed out in
official quarters that the expenditure
IF the United Kingdom on imperial de-
fence has been increasing of late years
by leaps and bounds, a large part go
ng into the pockets of colonial mer-
chants, in payment of supplies to the
sarrisons and squadrons, yet their con-
ributionS are microscopic. In connec-
ion with the proposed barracks. it is
to note that the war officials
lave been closely inspecting the Row.
on Houses with the view of adopting
he cubicle system instead of the pres
mt barrack rooms, where the troops
i've throughout the twentyfour hours.
America Prominent In Sports.
America has been prominent in field
ports during the past week. Clarence
1obart's brilliant tennis has been |
much remarked, and it is acknowledged |
hat it was by the merest fiuke that he |
ost the singles championship.
An American, A. Y. Dolan. won a
0-guinea cup at the Nottingham Gun |
Tub with nineteen consecutive kills, !
While F. II. Whartons divided a pool |
f 200 guineas with thirteen consecutive |
ills.
Much regret is expressed at the fact |
hat DR.. McDowell's entry for the dia-
nond SOULS at Henley arrived from |
'hicago too late to be accepted. The /
'hicago oarsman has made many
riends here during his last visit.
Immense enthusiasm has been arous-
d in the cricket world here by the
score of sol and not out.
lade by A. E. j. Collins, a 14-year-old
choolboy. within five hours, during
'hich time he only gave three chances.
The cup challenger Shamrock, will
e launched Monday and the ceremony
ill be a great function. The arrange
tents are in the hands of Charles Rus
ell, who, in addition to ''petticoating"
ne yacht, will rigidly exclude all re-
orters, cinemateographers. kodakers,
tc. The yachts full crew has arrived.
The Countess of Aberdeen has been
idefatigable in her efforts to perfect
ne details of the International Council
Women. In an interview today she
aid:
The delegates are arriving in hun
reds. The United States and Canadian
)ntingent make a splendid showing,
nd it will be the greatest council of
omen the world has known.
we have secured the pick of wo-
ems brains, from Mexico to Winni-
eg, all working for the success of the
,uncil, and women will monopolize the
If of the world next week. for while !
ondon is opening its drawing, dining ]
nd reception rooms for us, we are here ]
II practical work, to throw woman's l
fluence a step further into the scale
the nations. We expect much from ]
e American delegates and the fresh !
sss of view, breadth of principle. can {
IT and knowledge which breathes
rough the pores OF the great repub-
Uncle's Peculiarities.
Chicago Tribune)