New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-19
WAR TALK IN LONDON.
MORE HOPEFUL FEELING REGARDING
LADYSMITH.
MILITARY FERvoR IN THE NATION SHOWS NO
SIGN OF ABATEMENT-NAVAL NOTES
AND NEWS.

SIGN OF ABATEMENT-NAVAL NOTES
AND NEWS.
London. Nov. 1S-The passing Of another
week without any material change in the status
of the beleaguered British force at Ladysmnh
is responsible for a much more hopeful feeling
in Great Britain regarding the fate OF Generai
Whites men, on all sides the opinion Is now
expressed that they will be able to withstahu
attack until relief arrives. IT Is hard 10 see the
justification for such definite optimism, for' so
far as can be gained from the meagre reports
from the scene Of action. the Beers nave not YET
attempted a determined attack. which II seems
certain they all along intended to be the climax
of their deliberate strategy. That they nave
put off such an attack until the last moment
seems only probable. for If they were driven 10
assault Ladysmith they would doubtless desire
70 attenpt II when the British ammunition Is
at the lowest ebb. The diversion of Boer units
from Ladysmith toward Estcourt cannot, 1t IS
said be taken az any indication that the Beers
have given up hope of capturing Ladysmith' TOT
their plan of o-.ipagn appears to be far 700
skilfully mapped out and tenaciorsly adhereu 10
to admit the supposition that they nave suuueh-
" and without sufficient cause renounced theH
main objective. The present lack OF deVeiop-
ments around Ladysmith can well be believed
to be the lull which precedes the storm.
Many signs point to the quick relief of KIM
berlev or the defeat of the British attempt to
achieve IT, and 1t has, apparently. been declueo
that Mafeking must take its chances ana |oio
mel Baden Powell will probably nave seNerai
more opportunities to write facetious dispatches
1t is interesting to note that among the Drlt's"
naval brigade at Ladysmitf are no less 'h""
seven midshipmen none probably over seven
L Aua I'd
ter's son. There are also two naval engineers
This is the first occasion engineers nave peen
actively engaged at the front in a purely lana
campaign.
THE IRON IN MANY HOMES.
The military fervor which has seized hold OF
the nation shows no signs Of abatement lhis
Ss scarcely to be wondered at when II Is real
lied how many households OF all degrees
throughout the United Kingdom are aHec'eu
and how deeply the iron Of war has eh'ereu
into the happiness OF the people. For instance
a Mrs Pechell had three sons, officers' oruereu
to the Cape, and two Of them are no" ueau
Sir Anthony Weldon, Of Kildare, when the wal
hogan had four sons, three brothers ana nVe
nephews in the service. The list is no" one
less since Captain Weldon was killed at DUNDEE
Lord George Hamilton, the Secretary OF otate
for India has one son and thirteen nephe"S III
the field The Duke of Atholl has three sohs III
the war including Lord Tunbardlne' MS he"'
while three brothers of the Duchess OF YORK
Princes Adolphus. Francis and Alexander oi
Teck-are all bound for or are in South Africa
Thus it will be seen that the case OF the "luo"
~ the Irish sergeant. whose seven sons are
serving in the ranks at the cape "hlch euee"
Victoria has recognized by a kindly letter and
f0h0 ni
c,etv. The calling out Of the militia also takes
many distinguished men from their regular
duties including A. Akers-D Douglas. the First
rr,,ssIoner of Works Lord Salisbury loses
his private secretary in Viscount Newport, VINO
helones to the same regiment as Mr.. Akers-
Douglas. while Joseph Chamberlain and Sir
Michael Hicks Beach also lose a secretary each'
Titled officers without end now called upon
70 do home service including the Duke OF Buc-
cleuch's three sons. the Earl Of kintore ana the
Earl OF Cassillis. The latter Is now IN the
| United States
A large number OF traction engines, manned
by reservists chiefly drawn from the railroad
machine shops were recently shipped 10 the
Cape. after steaming over the roads from Alder
shot 10 southampton dragging trucks ALREADY
hacked with stores. which were embarked as
they stood so that no transfer was nceoeu'
Irpon their arrival IN South Africa 1t is hoped
these engines and trucks will be able to make
good progress over the lines Of communication
independent Of the railroads.
A MIsNAMED BUREAU.
Criticism Of the Intelligence Department OF
the War Office continues to appear in publica-
| lions Of all kinds. Even the conservative
"Times" makes it the object Of scathing denun-
| Citations. saying: 80
We hone the War Office. having learned by
/ experience what might have been learned
/ from cheaper sources VIII not omit 70 proVlue
/ our troops with artillery heavier and or longer
range than our excellent field guns
II appears that Ladysmith was chosen at
least two years ago an outpost in case OF
war. and it is pointed out that the omission to
provide It with guns of equal calibre to those OF
the Beers cannot be charged to the uncertainty
and political conditions which Immediately pre-
coded the present hostilties. There is also con-
siderable fear in British circles that the am
munitIon Of the naval guns at Ladysmth will
| soon give out. II II is not already exhausted
Only ten yddite shells for each gun are carried
on each cruiser and, though 1t is believed the
/ sailors took an extra supply secured from other
ships IL is felt that they must husband theil
resources in order to enable them to make theii
| artillery effective until the place is relieved
/ Though part Of the small arm ammunition re
served for the British Volunteers has beer
reouisitioned and sent out for the use OF the
regulars in South Africa there is little likeli
hood of any serious scarcity for these weapons
as the manufacture OF such ammunition is now
being pushed forward at a rate which nsures ar
adequate supply
The special preparations which are being
made for fitting out the battleship Glory now
building at Birkenhead. have given rise to th'
belief that the Duke of York will hoist his hae
on her for the special purpose of greeting the
American squadron which is expected TO vis
Spthead next summer That such naval vis
will be paid is taken for granted by the British
naval officials. Among the special preparation:
in connection with the Glory are painting the
gig royal blue and careful arrangements t.