The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-31
new YEAR DAWNS
But Sheds No Bright Ray on British
Soil.
LARGEST ARMY EVER RAISED
Now in the Field Against Two Small
~ o, Republics.
u s. -
liz ''',s BREAD IS HIGHER
Coal Famine Threatened Throughout King
dom, Causing Factories to Stop.
COLLIERlES GAVE MEN TO THE ARMY
All Clnsses and All Newspapers Now
Urge n Closer Friendship with
the United States.
Coal Famine Threatened Throughout King
dom, Causing Factories to Stop.
OLLItRlfs GAVE MEN TO THE ARMY
All Clnsses and All Newspapers Now
Urge n Closer Friendship with
the United States.


London, December 30.-lt is strange to
note as the New Year dawns for Great
Britain the greatest army she ever put
in the field remains passive in South
Africa held at bay by two OF the smallest
republics on the face of the earth, while
at home, in spite of the large volume OF
trade and apparent prosperity, her fin
ancial interests are in state of instability
not seen since the Barring crash. All
Europe is yelping at her heels and the
recognized on all sides. Papers and peo-
Pile that for years have been ready with
a iibe for Americas good will, no LONGER
make any attempt to belittle the desirable
ity of securing her friendship
America" says the Globe, usually
humorous at the expense of all things
transatlantic, with crop of 1000 900
bushels of wheat, Is especially in posi-
ton to help u.s."
The economic shoe already begins to
pinch the military foot. not very serious
ly. but enough TO suggest grave eogitation
rs to what would happen il Great Britain
were at war with great power. The fact
that the government has chartered so
many transports has resulted in a rise in
the price Of bread, while coal is rising by
leaps and bounds to famine prices. II is
such unpleasant results as these that
silences the scoffer at things American and
induce such a vituperative publication as
the Saturday Review to say that the
Americans have had their eyes opened to
the possibilities of a foreign policy and are
taking a sounder. but cooler view OF the
situation. They are not less friendly to us
than before. but the insincere element has
been eliminated and has left a reliable
substratum Of good will" Which con7
catenation the Saturday Review, under
different circumstances, would doubtless
have construed into damning evidence OF
the insncerty of American friendship.
1t must not be inferred that this view
Is held by many of the sincere English
friends of America, who now point to
what they are pleased to term it's great
friendliness as proof Of what they have
always maintained. With such a serious
outlook for the coming year it is hardly
surprising that articles appear under
the heading. Are We Decadent?" and
similar strains. On the other hand there
is still a small section of the press and
public which devotes its energies to sense
less abusing the Beers and prophesying
the speedy entry of the British into Pre-
toria. Yet on the whole, the organs
voicing the better class of opinion. face
1900 and its eventualities in South Africa
with an even minded. unhysterical deter
mination that compels admiration.
That there will be a day of reckoning
for some one is a certainty that even
the most guarded and conservative do not
try to conceal. Whether it be Lord Lans-
downe. Lord Wolseley or General Butler,
it is impossible to tell. But all the in
formation obtainabe at present and the
gist of criticism point to Lord Lansdowne
having to shoulder the onus for the terri
bic acknowledgement.
While Great Britain feeds contentedly
upon long specials showing American
friendship, the Boer agents in Europe
believe sentiment in the United States
has been gradually turning Boerward I'M
til the time is now ripe to develop it
into material effect. Under this impress
sion. the Associated Press learns that they
are contemplating dispatching special
mission to the United States for the pur-
pose OF influencing public opinion, posi-
bly, by open meetings and by personally
assisting the efforts of those In congress
whom they believe friendly. Moreover
they consider it advisable to offset what
they declare has been systematic cam
paign OF John Hays Hammond. the Ameri-
can engineer. who was a member of the
Johannesburg reform committee. to In
fuence Washington opinion. If the plans
now under consideration are carried out,
the mission will include very promi-'
nent Boer agent and pro-Boer member
on tbe British parliament who intended
| 10 sail this week. but was prevented by
what is thought to be temporary hitch
in the arrangements. Their desire is TO
affIiata with no particular party but by
Influencing political and public opinion to
secure at least an offer OF mediation IN
! the United States. A representative OF
the Associated Press has made careiui
| inouiries but failed to find any circum-
stances to warrant the belief that such