The record-union., 1899-10-01
Interest Generally Centered in the
TransvaaI Situation,
Though the Alaska Boundary Question Is
the Subject Of Much Attention.
Handsome Compliment Paid to Ad-
miral Dewey and the American
People for Their Patriotic Well
come to the Hero Of Manila by
London Journal.

come to the Hero Of Manila by
a London Journal.
copyrighted, 1885, by Associated Press)
LONDON, Sept 80. Comment re-
garding the personnel and material Of
the British force which will be expect
ed to be fighting within a short time in
South Africa continues to occupy a
large share Of public attention. Many
criticisms appear, blaming the Govern
ment for not permitting the war office
months ago to put an adequate defens-
i've force ON the probable scene of &C
ton But the rumors of the forth
coming departure of an army corps
somewhat appease the critics. 1t is
almost certain General Sir Redvers
Butler, the former Adjutant General,
will have supreme command in South
Africa In the meantime the military
responsibility is divided between Major
General Sir George Stewart White ana
Lieutenant General Sir Frederick For
ester Walker, the latter at the Cape
and the former in Natal, each being SUI
preme over his own district.
General White, who is described as a
fighting man, keen as mustard has
not yet arrived in Natal. Upon him
will devolve the duty of checking any
desultory Boer raids, or in case of ac-
tual hostilities of holding Natal until
General Buffers army corps arrives,
when the aggressive British campaign
will probably occur. Some dissatis-
faction is expressed because General
White has never served in South Afri-
ca. 1t is generally thought that the
fighting abilities will more than make
up for lack of typographical knowledge.
Under Generals White and Walker will
be a host of officers specially selected
for their knowledge of Boer methods
and South African campaigning.
General Sir William Symons, General
Whites second in command, is one of
the few survivors of the massacre of
Isandiwhana. The artillery in Natal
will be commanded by Colonel Down
ing, late chief instructor at the school
of gunnery Shoeburyness, who has
the highest scientific and practical rep
utation, comparing somewhat with
Rear Admiral Simpsons reputation in
the United States navy as an ordnance
officer. Major General French, COM
manding the cavalry, is dashing Off
cer having served through the early
Egyptian campaigns.
Much has been said regarding the
physical unf1tnesS of a large percent
age of the British rank and file going
to South Africa or already there. A
great difference of opinion on the sub
ject exists. But 1t can be said that the
regiments selected are believed to have
the highest standard of physique and
are all comparatively long service
men.
Many of the British officers believe
armed, is superior to the Lee Metford
of the British forces, against civilized
troops. A small arms expert said to
the representative of the Associated
Press: THE Lee -Metford will stop
savages, but that is not the object that
is most desirable when fighting civil
lied forces. Under a well-managed
Mauser fire troops will come on, drop
ping gradually from the effect of gall
ing wounds and not realizing the me-
cessity of cover or retreat until, when
within the deadly zone, they find halt
their number disabled and unable to
face the full weight of short-range fir
ing. In other words, Mauser- armed
troops are more deceptive to the enemy
than to those armed with Lee Met
fords, the effect of the latter being i'm
mediately visible to the officers decid-
ing the fight
The Australian horse will be much
used by the cavalry and mounted in
fantry, and will probably suffer more
from the change of country than the
men, being obliged to live on oats and
mealies, form of fodder they are ut
terly unaccustomed to.
The apparent inclination of the Sec
retary of State for War, the Marquis
of Lansdowne, to run the campaign
preparations on his own ideas and his
tendency to consult subordinate officers
have called forth published remind
er that he has a capable commander
in-charge at his elbow. Some compar-
isons are made as to the status of Field
Marshal Lord Wolseley, compared
with that of Major General Miles when
the latter was reported to have been
disregarded by Secretary Alger
Alaskan boundary matters are still
taking up considerable attention in the
Foreign Office. The Canadian Minister
Vi Marine anu rISH0FleS, Sir IL. III,
Davies, is daily visiting the officials
who are busy drawing up maps in IL
lustration of the Canadian contention.
Reports of the arrival of a settlement
continue to appear, but these are as
unreliable as they are contradictory.
1t is thought that no definite settlement
will be reached until after the con-
vening of the High Commission.
Sir Davies said to representative of
| the Associated Press: 1T is impossible
to give any statement at present"
Asked if he was going over the lower
bay proposition, he said: NO not ex-
actly, I am here solely to represent the
+ stand of the Canadian Government
| Joseph Choate, the United States
ambassador, who is still in Scotland.
is the subject of this weeks VANITY
Fair cartoon, by no means unkind
earicature. Humorously describing the
Embassador, the paper says he is
known as the Charles Russell of Amer
| lea, is an irrepfoachable man of charm
ing manners, well married, yet he still
regards life as jest. adding: HE is
an American ambassador, yet is no
| poet"
IN. A. p" ('Mainly About People'D
| says it has been Sir Thomas Linton )
keen ambition for many years to be-