New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-21
BRITAIN MORE CHEERFUL.
NEW PROGRAMME OF THE WAR OFFICE
INSPIRES RENEWED FAITH IN
THE EMPIRE.
copyright: 1890: BY The New-York Tribune. J
TBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNB.l


London Dec 81 ! a. m.-An improved public
tone is revealed in the less depressed If not
more buoyant markets, and in the more hopefui
leaders in the press. This is due 10 the tonic
effect of the vigorous measures adopted by the
Government. and the outburst Of patriotic en-
husjasn, in the country. The selection of Lord
Roberts for the chief command in South Africa
and the new military programme OF the war
once are accepted without cavil as the best
possible policy for this momentous emergency
The most censorious journal does not suggest
anything that might have been done In this
crisis Of the fortunes of the Empire that has
been left undone. The conclusion follows that
II the Ministers have fully placed the response
bllities OF grave situation and inspired the
country with oldtime Ezabethan patriotism the
worst is over and better times are ahead. This
reasoning may be fallacious, but IT Is comfort
ing Englshmen beginning TO smile again
as they reflect that their best general. who has
never failed. is going to the Cape. and that many
battalions will follow him.
UNEAsINEsS OVER LADYsMITH.
The chief cause Of the uneasiness which brings
back the shadow to English faces is a suspicion
that the Ladysmith garrison Is short Of ammu-
milton and incapable Of prolonged defence
The War Office does not admit that Ladysmith
IS in serious danger short Of ammunition.
but the censorship somehow has allowed these
alarming reports 20 reach England The censor
It is apparent. sometimes falls asleep or Is
drugged by too candid and too inquistive
friends
Dispatches from Colenso still coming in.
but every one bears evidence Of rough treat
ment from the censorship 1t is impractcable
either to reconcile these disjointed, fragmentary
accounts one with another. or 10 explain the
discrepancies between them and General Bull
ler's report. One journal after another Is forced
10 describe their own correspondents dispatches
as unintelligible. and there are strong express
sions OF disapproval Of the ruthless manner IN
which the censor mutates the carefully written
press reports after the battles are fought. There
are at least dozen questions Of fact which re-
main unsettled six days after this battle oc-
Cured. The most important OF these relate 10
the comparative ranges OF the Boer and British
guns. and the circumstances In which Long
battery was lost Engishmen anxious to
know whether Buffers army, with numerical
superiority in guns and with higher degree Of
skill in the service Of them, was without ade-
quate protection owing to the fact that 1t was
hundred details which the public is eager to
learn about the chief battle Of the war; and
every correspondent is gagged and bound and
shut off from clear, descriptive work. The Eng
llsh press is much more docile and submissive
than the American press would be in similar
circumstances but II is showing signs OF irrita-
ton, and is on the point Of asking whether the
war in South Africa is private enterprise con-
Quoted for the purpose OF shielding regulations
Of favorites in the field and red tape martinets
In the War Office.
Reports published on Wednesday that the
guns not abandoned In the Colenso battle
have not been confirmed from any Official
source. and were evidently the substance OF
things hoped for and the evidence OF things un-
seen. General Bulle- would have contradicted
the most damaging admission of his first bulletin
he could have done so truthfuy
FRENCH AND GATACRE.
The War Office has reported that there Is no
'esh news from General Gatacre, and that Cen
al French continues to operate against the
einy with the utmost prudence and vigilance,
ring when he was compelled 10 do so by a
perior force without disorder serious loss.
."f New-Zealand contingent under his com
ana has been under fire. and has acted with
"oiness and gallantry The British Govern
"ent. which originally regarded the colonial
eoh'lngents with cautious stepmother,y air.
NJ" Knows what they are worth. and regrets
mat more OF them are not in the field The
canadian contingent, which Is picked body OF
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