The record-union., 1899-12-24

| Copyright, 1899, by Associated Press.)
| LONDON, Dec. 23.-Not iS- many
years past has Great Britain faced SUCH
a situation as confronts her this Christ
mas. Yet to meet it, there has arisen
new Britain, which by its virility
and pluck EFFORTS admiration even from
her bitterest Continental critics. Since
the boastfulness has disappeared from
the British press, the comments of the
foreign papers, at least as far as print
ed here, are couched in tones far more
fair and friendly than when it was be-
Ieved a speedy victory awaited Gen
eral Butler.
| AS repeatedly asserted, there is no
likelihood of European interference, yet
w. T. Stead in the Daily Chronicle"
| to-day has very alarming column, in
| which he has visions of a superior
jameson raid by 10000 Frenchmen on
London, in the absence of the Channel
fleet. Mr.. Stead points out how easily
in his opinion, this might be accom-
plished, and says:
ITO rely, as some appear to do, upon
the addition of number of raw re-
lus of the present warfare, is to rely
on broken reed. Woolwich arsenal
might be in flames and the French tri-
color flying over Westminster palace
before the first Of these new recruits
would have learned to handle a gun"
Though Great Britain's plight in
South Africa seems temporarily criti-
cal, the Associated Press learns that
the Beers are straining every nerve to
secure the mediation Of President Nc
Kinley toward a favorable peace. But
anyone with the slightest knowledge
of British feeling quickly appreciates
that not one person in a million con-
templates any result but an ultimate
British triumph, and all sections unite
in saying this must be secured, no mat
ter what the cost. Hence the Boer
agents themselves have only slight
hopes that mediation would be accept
ed, though believing, if President Nc
Kinley could be persuaded to proffer it,
Lord Salisbury, though perhaps bound
to refuse, would lose the humanitarian
sympathy in the United States, and
thus divert to the Beers much waver-
ing sentiment.
The Associated Press is informed
from excellent sources that no offer Of
mediation would be accepted by Lord
Salisbury in any shape or form. The
popular conception Of peace is that It
must come through the idol of the
army, General Roberts, and his no less
adored chief of staff, General Kitche-
ner. The country is prepared to wait
indefinitely for that event. The fall Of
Kimberley, Ladysmith and Mafeking
would not make a particle Of difference.
for this stoical resolve is imbedded in
the hearts of the people, who for the
flrst time In the memory of this gen.
Grafton have drunk deeply of the cup
of military defeat and disgrace.
Any other defeats that the future
holds for Britain, except entire annihi-
lation, are anticipated by the scathing
criticism which the nation has inflicted
upon itself. Estimates of the duration
Of hostlllties vary from three months to
year. The lack Of news this week
has by no means been taken as an in
stance OF the adage regarding no news
A very general impression prevails that
Kimberley will succumb. An officer of
the British South African COMPANY
who has an intimate knowledge of
South Africa, tells the Associated Press
that he believes if the Beers capture
Cecil Rhodes they will shoot him.
Nowhere than on the Stock Exchange
has the lack of information caused ex-
element or nervousness. 1t is realized
that if Kimberley falls De Beers mine
shares and interests will shrink TO
nothing, while the Chartered Com
pany's vast issues will lose what little
hnffnr1 ha 1nff r.
the Associated Press that the great
financial houses In London have COM
bined and furnished sufficient money TO
insure no large failures on settling day.
December 18th, though the small fry
may suffer. Unless this action had
been taken, several well known houses
not of the first Importance, but of large
proportions, would, it Is said, have to
go under. This concerted precaution
has to some extent restored confidence
but the market is still panicky. many
people believing that the most serious
crisis has not yet been reached.
While most persons know the late
Duke of Westminster was one of the
richest men in England, no London
newspaper has taken the trouble TO
procure an estimate of his wealth He
owned several thousand parcels of Lon
don realty, which, together according
to the Dukes own statement. made six
hundred acres. Much Of this is in Bel
gia, the aristocratic residence quarter,
He also had 10000 acres in the country.
and an unsual income of f75O,O0O. His
realty values in London were probably
worth O,000,O 900. The heir to the
Dukedom rs the late Dukes grandson.
viscount Miner, the Governor Of Cape
Colony.
The papers abound in anecdotes of
the late Duke. He was rather careless
and shabby in dress, and his life at
Elton Hall was that Of an ordinary
country gentleman. At any time dur
ing his stay in Cheshire the Duke
might be seen riding or walking about
his park, usually smoking a cigarette
not often composed of tobacco. for he
used indicated cigarettes as a remedy
for asthma. To his household the Duke
was always an enigma. He rarely
spoke to his servants, and he had an
odd way of leaving bits of paper about
on chairs with word of blame as to
their condition, but with such person
ages as his house steward, head coach
man and stud groom, he was on most
affable and confidential terms
The Gear will present Prince George
of Greece with g. splendid vacht az a