The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-07-23
British Navy Chasing An Imaginary
Hostile Fleet.
TESTING OF TORPEDOES
CLAIMS MADE THAT PRESIDENT
KRUGER HAS YIELDED.
Decision of the Admiralty to Follow
the Example of the United States
and Improve the Gunnery of the
Navy In Which Poor Marksman-
ship Is Shown.

copyright. 1899. by the Associated Press)
London, July 22.-The mobilization of
a huge fleet engaged in the present
maneuvers is carrying out a plan of
operations of the most interesting char
acter. The plan supposes Great Brit
ain to be at war with a continental
power, and a convoy of British mer-
chant ships carrying food and supplies
is crossing the Atlantic from Halifax
under a small escort. The enemy sends
feet to intercept the convoy, and
Great Britain sends a fleet to intercept
that of its adversary. The enemy,
however, relies upon numerous torpedo
boats issuing from Irish ports for the
purpose of harassing the British while
he captures the convoy.
Great Britain, on the other hand re-
lies upon torpedo boat destroyers to
cope with the torpedo boats and give
free play to the seagoing ships. The
real test is thus torpedoeS against tor
pedo boat destroyers. The result must
be most interesting and must largely
control the future policy with regard
to the building or torpedo boat destroy
erS.
What President Kruger declined to
yield to the petitions of the Outland-
ers and the arguments of the British
high commissioner of South Africa. Sir
Alfred Miner, ne seems inclined to
yield to the more forcible hints of the
war office, comprised in unobtrusive.
but obvious military preparations. The
sudden change of front by the volkS-
Rad in adopting the seven-year fran
chise proposition on last Tuesday is d
forcible demonstration of the claim that
President Kruger can and does yield
when the proper pressure is applied.
but not otherwise. As Mr.. Chamberlin
said in the course of his speech in the
house of commons on Thursday regard
ing the notifications of the franchise
law in the Transvaal. the concessions
do not end the difficulties. but merely
offer a basis for a pacific settlement.
and former experiences with the Trans
vaal have taught the government that
It is inadvisable TO in any way relax
pressure until the contract is concluded.
The military preparations. therefore,
have been in no way relaxed.
Improve the Gunnery.
The determination of the admiralty to
improve the gunnery of the navy has
come none too soon. in the opinion Of
experts, and there is general satisfac-
ton that the authorities have decided
to follow the example of the United
States navy and double the allowance
of ammunition for firing practice. The
recent 'unpleasantness" between the
United States and Spain demonstrated
the admirable gunnery of the American
navy. coupled with official returns Just
issued, and showing that the best Brit
ish gunners failed 10 hit the target sew
enty out of every 100 shots, has awak-
ened the admiralty to the necessity of
mending matters.
In Sra ont in ba of
mons relative to shipbuilding the Right
Hon. George J. Goschen, first lord of
the admiralty, practically corroborated
the recent statement of an admiralty
official 10 the Associated Press that
for its size the American navy is as
fine navy as ever existed and much
could be learned from it" and that
meanwhile he hoped that the naval in
telligence would be enhanced.
The close of the most dreary sessions
of parliament within the memory of
men now living, is in sight. The men,
bers OF the house of commons expect
to adjourn about Aug. l, in time TO
reach the Moors for the opening of
grouse shooting. which begins Aug. 81.
The government has met many re-
bluffs in both houses of parliament, and
the reduced majorities with which they
have carried some pet measures have
constituted moral victories for the OPP
DUSlllOll- L re CONSERVATIVE ICdutIS, III
short. have displayed their usual racil-
lation, indecisiCn and feebleness in re-
sisting the demands of the classes
against the masses.
Lobbying has been more prevalent
than ever before. Unfortunately for
the success of the liberal party. the
leaders on that side hive shown little
aptitude to score off the numerous
shortcomings Of the tories or to profit
by the Righteousness that several gov
eminent measures awakened in the
ranks of Lord Salisbury'S adherents.
In short the liberals have shown them
selves rather demagogical opDosers
than initiators OF a new line of policy.
Otherwise they might. more than once
have forced a dissolution of parliament
and appealed to the country with sue
cess.
Fear American Enterprise.
There is a general suspicion in city
circles that the Curzons are in some
way mixed up with the arrangement |
under which Clinton Dawkins. fnan- |
cial member OF the Indian council, is TO I
become 4 member of the firm OF J. p |
Morgan & Co, and American capital
will hereafter find n larger field for in |
vestment i'll India. Some find conlirma- |
ton of this idea in the strenuous sup 1
port being given by the government ]
of India TO the employment of cleo !
tricity as a motive power in the great ,
central factories for military reauis- |
ties which it is intended to build at |
JubbulpOre. Officials are said to want /
Americans TO duplicate the works at /
Niagara Fails, claiming that the falls /
of the Nerbudda and Godavery are fully |
equal TO those of Niagara.
Englishmen are also greatly excited |
over the published announcement that |
the New York Air Brake company, |
following the example OF the Westing- |
house company. intends to establish
factories in Europe.
Following the lead Of their more en-
terprising brethren in the United |
States, the medical world of Europe IS
debating the developments in |
serum therapeutics. Recent demon
STATIONS in Berlin and Paris of Amer
lean success in this direction are the /
subject OF widespread comment in the
medical journals. DR.. William NJ.
Warren of Detroit, who has just COM
pleted a tour of European laboratories
tells the correspondent of the Asso-
ciated Press that European scientists
are marveling at the discoveries in the
United States. Mr.. Warren says the
principal object Of his visit was to OBJ