Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-28

OF real Importance. Lord Kimberley in a
mild way told the house that the liberal
that war had been declared, but he init
mated that this must not be taken as indi-
eating that they were satisfied with the
way the negotiations with the Transyaal
had been carried on.
Lord Salisbury welcomed the promised
support, but took occasion to defend Mr..
Chamberlain's diplomacy. The premier
dealt with his subject lightly, and almost
jocularly. He abandoned altogether the
weighty tone which he was wont to adopt
at the times of the China and Fashoda
crises and even ventured to make a little
fun out of the curious individuality of Mr.
Kruger He evoked cheers on more than
one occasion, and his expression of belief
that President Kruger's great dream had
been to get us to abandon our suzerainty
appeared to meet with general acceptance
Inc premier was followed by Lords Loeb
and Camperdown, and, after a few remarks
from Lord Selborne in defense Of Mr.
Chamberlain the address was agreed to
amid cheers, and the house then adjourned
till next Monday.
Irish Opposition.
In commons the scene was somewhat i've
Her, made so by the opposition Of Irish
members. OF course. a member has the ad-
vantage of privilege" in parliament, but
there can be no doubt that Messrs Dillon,
Davitt and William Redmond came very
near the border line Of treason. With their
speeches in Ireland it may be different
near that an early opportunity will be
taken to call attention to the speeches on
the Iransvaal crisis recently made there
py dlHerent members Of the nationalist
party. Some of the language used has
been grossly disloyal. On one occasion Mr.
20 Brien is said to have expressed the hope
mat the 1rishmen belonging to British regi-
ments, instead of firing on the Beers would
urn thelr weapons against their own En-
In hn Irr
DaVitt, Mr.. William Redmond and others
nave also expressed themselves in very dis
loyal terms. The Irish untonist members
are indignant at the attitude of the nation
ahsts and their extravagart language is
nowhere more generally condemned than
by the liberals. They have certainly not
strengthened the bonds between them
selves and English home rulers. 1t is prob
able that the question will be raised as one
of privilege If a favorable chance offers.
If g. discussion does take place 1t should be
of a very lively character.
British War Plans.
Subject to the possibility of alteration in
order to meet the Boer tactics it is now
decided that the movement on Pretoria by
Sir Redfers Buffers army shall be by the
way of the Orange Free State. This route
is much longer, but it has the advantage of
being much easier, and 1t will also enable
the army to take Bloemwontein, the capt.
tai of the Orange Free State, on their way.
The railway runs the whole distance and
as the British drive the Beers before them
their engineers, under the command Of the
French Canadian officer who made the Sou
dan railways, will repair the line and re-
establish communication Until that Is
done the army will have to depend for the
most part on road transport. For this pur-
pose are required the 5000 or 5000 mules
the government is sending to South Africa.
1t was foreseen that under the most favor
Rnar1
to do great damage to the railways which
for hundreds Of miles lie exposed to Boer
raids. The recent performances of the
Beers in that direction have been dis
counted and provided for. When the Dla-
dem and Niobe, which have been ordered
to South Africa, Join the Powerful and
Terrible there the government will have
four of the largest and swiftest cruisers in
the world that station.
Strong Naval Force.
The Powerful and Terrible are Ia, 200 tons
burden, and of 25OoO horse power while
the Diadem and Niobe are of II 900 tons
and 1880 horse power. The presence of
these splendid cruisers will be a double
source of strength to the military authori-
ties. They will not only be able, from their
large crews, to supply strong contingents
to the naval brigade but they will be avail
able, If need calls, to convey large bodies
of troops quickly from one point to another
battle ships are being sent to South Africa.
That is because there are no naval foes to
meet.
The war office has issued details regard
ing the embarkatiOn of the army corps.
For this purpose sixteen steamers have
been hired. Five of them sail from South
ampton on the Dist, and the remainder on
succeeding days up to the Gath, when the
ports engaged are of very high speed.
They will, therefore, take from eighteen to
twenty-one days to reach Cape Town. If
the arrangements made by the war office
are carried out and the whole of the regi-
ments at sea by the 24th. It will be a de-
cided triumph for the military admnistra-
ton.
Intense Interest.
The interest Of the man and boy in the
street is intense. Great crowds gather be-
fore maps In shop windows and more is
being learned about South Africa than most
people knew before the war made 1T promi-
nent. A couple Of small boys were in one
of these groups yesterday and one said to
the other: What's 1t all about anyhow"
His companion, with superior manner,
said proudly, pointing to the map: See
all that red at the bottom and round up
both sides?" Yep" responded the other.
We'll that belongs to England" Then, in
dicating the Transvaal and Orange Free
Statesi See that drab color up in the mid
die and the yaller under it2'' Yep" came
again the response. wen, we are going
to make the whole blooming lot red, see?'
The boys explanation is probably a fair
prediction of what will happen.
The Catholic Cathedral.
The roofing Of the great Catholic Cathe-
dral. Westminster has begun, and is to
be finished by the end of this year. When
the building Is complete in every detail.
which, however. will probably not be for
years, though 1t Is to be opened for wor-
ship on the 10Th of September, 1900, the
golden jubilee of the Catholic hierarchy In
England, 1t will be one OF the strangest
looking, as we'll as one of the largest
churches in England.
It's minarets, domes and prodigiously lofty
tower will give it a Moorish appearance.
The design Is really Byzantine. 1t is pity
that such curious and imposing edirice is
buried in the square called Ashley Gar
dens, where there is not room to see 1t
properly. The nave Is the largest in Eng
land, having an area of IA, 040 square feet,
while that OF York Minister, the next IN
size, measures 1924 square feet. To OBJ
tain the marble for the great pillars of
the interior two ancient, classic quarries in
Thessaly and Euboea have been reopened.
Brescia and Numidian, marbles-the latter
famous for its wonderful red and orange
are also to be found The caIon'S stalls will