New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-02
MR. CHAMBERLAIN'S SPEECH
ITS EFFECT on BRITISH OPINION-PROG-
RESS OF THE WAR IN AFRICA.
rBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE. J


,ordon Dec. Q a. m-The embargo upon
var news when the two relief columns are pre-
raring for decisive battles beyond the Tugela
and Nodder has enabled Mr. Chamberlain 10
command the attention of England. The after
noon papers took UP their parable yesterday
from the morning press, and the weekly Jour-
nails to-day ring the changes upon his new rem
6erIng Of Lord Salisbury's simple theme that
England's relations with both the United states
and Germany were all that could he desired.
Mr.. Chamberlain is neither dplomatist nor
LAWYER but he knows what is going on IN the
world and how TO make practical use of the oP-
xo.,,,uIUles for influencing public opinion at
nome and abroad He has directed attention 10
the good feeling now existing between Anglo
Saxon and Teutonc races as a fact or world
vide Importance and thereby he has helped 10
strengthen f. He used the phrase triple alli-
ance" only TO qualify it In the next breath by
reducine II to an understanding based upon the
common interests TO which Mr. Reid referred
AZ the New-To-k Chamber OF Commerce dinner
and Mr. Choate subsequently in London. The
practical result is that everybody in England
and Germany is talking about the of good
feeling now opening in the relations or the three
great progressive nations in the world. Mr.
Chamberlain may not be diplomatist. but In
this instance he has helped to clear the atmos-
phere and bring the three countries into closer
and more helpful relations.
MILITARY STAFF CRITICISED.
The delay in the publication Of the casualty
list and full details Of the battle or Modder
River has not only prolonged and deepened the
anxiety Of the swarms Of visitors TO the war
Office. but II has also revived criticism OF the
SHORTCOMINGS of the military staff responsible
for the organization of the army corps and the
direction Of the campaign. Lord Methuen's last
battle remains mystery, but 1t is plain that II
would have been won more easily II the BRUSH
army had been provided with more horse ana
field artillery and especially with howitzer pat
terjes capable Of firing lyddte shells. There Is
much faulthnding over the delay In sending out
howltzer batteries and the neglect OF the Ad-
mlralty to supply rapid sea transports for ar
tillery OF every class The War ONCE has no
explanations TO offer, and military writer's agree
that this was serious flaw in the preparations
FOR the campaign. The lack OF an adequate
force Of cavalry Is another obvious point OF
criticism. But the Military staff Will nave
clear line of defence against this charge. 1t con-
tends that India could not be stripped or its
cavalry service. and that this branch was 100
small 10 meet the emergency Of the war IN Sou'h
Africa There will be a strong effort made wheh
Parliament meets TO add several regiments Of
ldncerS 10 the army, anu 10 NOilNelN 0N"'0
tallons into mounted infantry, instead OF nav
ng a single company in each regiment PROVIDED
with mounts.
While the Queen received an assurance from
General Methuen early yesterday that the
wounded were doing well. the casualty hst was
held back owing 10 defective cable faclh'es
hour after hour. II was generally understood
70 be in possession Of the War Office late IN the
evening but It required careful checking OF
names. The impression prevailed theVe 'i"'
Inc losses would not be so serious as had oeen
spprehended Colonel Sumner. the elhcleh'
military attache of the American hiho"ssS'
STATED yesterday that. apart from PRISONERS INC
casualties on the British side had not oeeh 81
heavy In any engagement as they were III '"o
Santiago battles. where 1900 were killed OF
wounded, out OF 5000 engaged.
SIMILAR LINES OF Defence.
The similarity OF the military situations Oh
Ae Moider and the Tugela rivers Is RENAL
able. Each relief column is within twenty iiliies
u the beleaguered garrison. ana rINe' "
each case has formed the line or Boer oeio"'0
III each quarter the military operations az
concealed from view by the rigorous ceisors snip
put both garrisons are known TO be quI'e S"i''
From Natal there is in Harmsworths war
correspondents report the news 'ha' '"0
BRUSH mounted infantry and aruieiS VIZ
back Tuesday body OF Boers VIM
were attempting to destroy the oridse ne",
Colenso; that the Ladysmith garrison H"'
been heard from that day, ana tn"' '"0
bridge at Frere was under rapiu iep'".
Still later a report from Pieterria' ,,,1.'
states that there had been hgh1 al
duel near Colenso and that the boeiD
holding the bridges
From Lord Methuen's force there "as ~