The evening times., 1899-09-08

As usual, the President is represented as
yacillatfng between plain duty and painful
pull He should put an end to situation
which is becoming WEAKNESS and dis
gust. If he desires to meet the expectations
of the country, and place a man in COM
mand over the Philippines, with power to
fight, and to deport the corruptionists and
thieves who swarm in Manila, let him do
it at once, and regain lot of the confidence
he has forfeited. If he prefers to do the
other thing and drive host of patriotic
people into the anti-expansion camp. in
sheer despair, let him say so that We may
know the worst without longer suspense.
The Hoer Defiance.
1t would seem that the Beers are quite
determined TO discount the ultimatum ex-
pected at Pretoria tomorrow. Their AFRO
CANT questioning of Sir Alfred Miner as
to the reasons for concentration of Brit
ish troops near the Natal border, is tan
tamount TO a declaration of international
independence, and an unqualified defiance
Of the suZerain power The slight hope for
/ peace is illustrated in the speeches at yes
terday's session of the Volksraad, in which
confidence in Boer ability to whip the Brit
ish was freely expressed, and messages
were read by members, showing the war
like sentiments of the Veldt burghers-
A heavy artillery force has been started
from Pretoria for the Natal boundary, pre-
sumably TO fortify Laing's Neck, where
light cavalry corps is stationed already. II
is hard 10 understand why the British au-
thorities have left this point of the most
vital strategic Importance open TO the oc
cupation of TIE enemy. Ii is the sole prac-
ticable pass between Natal and the Trans
vaal In possession of the Beers, ii will
hamper operations seriously, especially in
view of what is now regarded as certainty
thst the Orange Free State will make COM
mon cause with the South African Republic
against England. Once fortified and mount
ed with the necessary guns, Laing's Neck
is capable of strong defence with a small
number of men, and vulnerable only to a
large force, which would necessarily loss
heavily IN an attack.
Seeming indifference to this position.
may suggest the possibility that England
| has an understanding with Portugal by
virtue of which British troops will be al
lowed to march into the Transvaal from
| Lorenzo Marques, on Delagoa Bay. \
| movement in force from that direction
would at once threaten Pretoria and the
| rear of any bodies OF troops operating
against the Natal frontier. But we are
afraid that this is not to be set down as a
good professional reason for neglecting
J Laings Neck That is more likely to have
resulted from division of counsel. and the
| strong Afrikander influence in Cape Colony
which has been shown in allowing the Or
ange Free State 10 secure arms and ammu-
milton through Cape Town, and in many
other annoying ways.
al the conditions, many of them ini-
TALLY unfavorable TO England, would ap-
pear TO demand vigorous and immeiiat
action, if the Peers are not 10 secure mill
tary advantages at the start which would
tend TO render the campaign a long one
The War Office in London, and Sir Fred.
erick Forester-Walker al the Cape
no doubt appreciate this, and Wi!
not lose any further time. We think that
barring the unexpected, which, in this case
is not likely 10 happen, there should be
collision Of arms somewhere in Soutt
Africa within the next TWO or three days
Mr.. Richard Croker is man who never
fails 10 attract a generous share of public
attention. Usually it is connected with hi.
farorite role OF big chief of Tammany. Jus
now. however. he is making signal success.
in the star part OF Charlie Ross, or the
Lost Boy" Nobody appears TO know wher,
he is. Rewards have not yet been Offered
for his return, under promise of forgive,
hess, dead or alive; but anxious enquire.
are being made by his soTrowing friends il
all parts of the continent. Persons answer.
ing his description. have been seen in Chi.
cago, Detroit. Kalamazoo South Bend, ant
Penn Van. bat the corpus delicti is no
forthcoming. Opinion is divided as Il
whether he is away hunting for the Ram
apo water shed, or the Mazet Committee
but he is absent just the same. If thi:
should meet his eagle eye, Will he pleas
communicate with his parents, who ar,
grief-strickan over his disappearance?
The latest scheme for the official wei
come OF Admiral Dewey TO the United
States is an excellent one. 1t is 20 hav,
the President. Vice President, Secretary o
War Governor Roosevelt. and Mayor Van
Nyck on the Dolphin at the entrance t.
New York harbor when the Olympia ar
| rir.s The Admiral Will see the President,