The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-11-26

The 0ueens Chocolate Gift Comes In for Much Criticism
pOntent ChurchirS HerOicS Not ReiShed BY
Military Officers.

Copyrighted. 1899, by Associated Press)
LONDON. Nov. .6-Among the ser
icus minded, conservative English peO-
pie there is a growing feeling OF dis
gust at the spread Of the nauseauns
namby -psmbyfsm which finds an ex-
eusA in the war The historical out
break which has ensued since Tom
my Atkins" and his officer became a
full-nedged sOciesy craze has already
been the subject OF satirical articles in
the better class OF British publications,
and now all signs point to a re-
action from that unreasouing enthus-
iasm which is responsible for so many
uneginifed antics.
Never were the old English army Of
fcers So aghast IS when they read Of
the queens decision to send box Of
chocolate to each man in the field as
a Christmas present. Compared with
her simple speeches at her farewells
10 the troops. this announcement ap-
psarad as a sudden descent from the
sublime to the ridiculous. On top Of
this came the heroic acts OF Cores
pondent Churchill lighting battles and
controlling troops and regular officers
poured Ia letters to the papers protest.
ing against this.
Though not belittling Churchilrs
personal bravery in the Tirah cam
paign. an officer was obliged to tell
Churchill that his help was not needed
to command a company Other in
stances Of this young ex-officer's readi-
ness 20 interfere have been printed
since the glowing accounts OF the ar
moied train affair.
While it is pointed out that he does
not deserve good treatment from the
Beers, having violated the usages OF
VAR the reports OF his expected re-
lease is contrasted with the alleged ac-
ton Of the French and Germans who
II is claimed during the war OF 1870
shot all noncombataits tound carrying
arms. While the big west end carter
ers are busy shipping hundreds Of cases
OF champagne and pata de foi gras TO
the regimental masses in South Africa,
society women are working feverishly,
making plum buildings for these un-
fortunates.
Many Of the pud1lngs contain costly
jewelry. tin pins. rings and other
momentos from a daring womankind.
Lady Colin Campbell mas made no few
er than JOS plum puddings for the
Dublin Fusili.rs and several puddings
have besa sent % Winston Churchill
address ID TO Pr. Dria Though the
majority of such efforts are doubtless
prompted by genuine patriotism and
desire to alleviate the sufferings Of the
soldiers. the charitable movement is
taken advantage Of by notorious self
advertisers. both social and mercan-
tile.
Women who have not been received
IN society, in spite Of the efforts Of
years, have been untiring in their en-
deavors to get publicity for their par
ticular scheme to raise money or arti-
cles to send out to South Africa.
Incidentally It is announced that the
Duke oI Aberdeen mas seat the Red
Cross Society 200 dozen Of Messrs. so
and so's handkerchiefs, (which are IA
mous fer their softness and delicate
texture" etc, and every theatrical
press agent in the country Is reaping
harvests by obtaining gratuitous ad-
vertisements from hitherto unheard OF
actors and actresses, who are willing
to recite war poem or do a turn to
help the war funds
This Of course. scarcely applies 10
the few leaders Of the profession who
originated the idea Of an American quo
ia Of charity, a movement which cul-
minated in Mrs Brown Potter's "The
Claimant" though the latter has not
escaped criticism.
The Times sets an example by Civ.
ing a meager and uncompllmentary re-
por. in its news columns and since then
several society and other papers have
referred sarcastically to the excesses