The times., 1899-07-02
LONDON news AND GOSSIP
Interest Divided Between France
and South Africa.
A More Peaceful Outlook In the
TrunsvsnI-Improved Prospects of
the waideci<-Rousseau Ministry
waning Confidence i'm The Hague
Peace Conference-Major MarchaHd

London, July lit has been the Austrai-
ia vs. England cricket match first this
week. and other topics are briefly dismiss
ed The Transyaal affair, of course, has at
tracted a good deal of popular notice, as
has CAPTAIN Dreyfus' arrival, but whether
England is to retrieve the disgrace OF the
las; few weeks is the most pressing mat
Ter now engaging public attention.
From South Africa the latest news points
to a pacific solution of the present erisis'
that If only the British Government shows
frunuess. President Kruger will grant the
reforms demanded. Despite the fulmina-
tions of the yellow press-unfortunateiy
we are rapidly acquiring the ardcie-the
general opinion favors peaeesbie soiu-
lion. The peace-at- any price party is now
iusIgaihcant. The best Liberal. as well as
Tory opinion, is ready to support the Gov
ernmeDt in that resolute action wherein a
r,romp; and peaceful settlement Is most
Iikely TO be found. Oliver Schreiner has
issued a manifesto preaching the fraterity
of the white races in South Africa which
will influence the religious section.
Events in France are attracting c-ose At
tention The greatest sympathy is eH-
are followed with great interest The hrm
behavior of the new French Government
ana its successful emergence from the hrst
division gives confidence that II VIII re-
main in Office till the prorogation OF the
Chamber of Deputies
Already Colonel Picquart's reinstatement
is regarded as certain. and the Marquis de
Gallifet has sent the generals TO the right
about The new trial of Dreyfus viii give
I.r.. hi a1Lfsa
and an opportunity Of eneeting other
changes without attracting much public
attention
English View of Mnrchand.
This week a party of our officers re-
turned from the Sudan. One OF them had
special charge of Major Marchand and his
party. the former being his guest for three
weeks. He spoke highly OF Major March
and. whom he considered one of the
finest soldiers he had ever met in Africa
and every inch a man. He had seen hin
later in Paris disappointed with his re-
cepticn, and the empty and interested ap.
plause of which he was made the object
His officers had given trouble at Fashoda
during his absence in Cairo, but he haS
their position made clear.
The Peace Conference is no longer FOL
lowed with much attention. The par
ticulars reported are mainly technical. AM
as such mainly interest experts. German
ontspokenness has met with good dea
OF sympathy, especially as contrasted witt
Russian incapacity and opportunism. Tn
Russian delegates seem to have no idei
beyond desire TO please the Gar. Thei
haif-bearted and superficial advocacy o
undigested schemes are distasteful TO tn
more earnest members OF the Conference
The Germans at least know their owl
mind The American and English mem
bers are working well together, and thei
colleagues have repeatedly expressed ad
miration at the succinct and practical ma
ture OF their proposals.
Chinese Affairs are quiet for the present