The record-union., 1899-12-03
The Colonial Secretary's Recent
Speech at Leicester
Has Stirred Up a Hornets Nest Both In
England and the Continent.
His Declaration Regarding An
glo-American Alliance by No
Means Acceptable to Those in
England Who Are Responsible
for the Relations With the
United States.

for the Relations With the
United States.
| LONDON, Dec. 2-Mr Chamber
| lain's liking for Straight-flung words
has not only thrown the capitals of
| Europe into a turmoil, but his declara-
| lions have been by no means accept
able to those in England who are re-
| sponsible for the relations with the
United States. 1t appears that when
| Mr. Choate made his Thanksgiving
| speech he was quite ignorant that MIR.
| Chamberlain was speaking so definitely
regarding tangible alliances, and the
ambassador did not intend his general
isms regarding Great Britain, Germany
and the United States to be taken as
| confirmation of the Colonial Secretary's
| outspoken remarks. 1t would appear
| that Mr.. Chamberlain only told the
| truth, for in the dispatches of Novem-
Der 25th it was pointed out that nego-
tiations were afoot for an alliance look
| ing for settlement of the Far Eastern
question. The Outlook particularly
well informed on Chinese matters, says
| this week: 1.-The keynote of the new
words open door,"
In view of Secretary Hays denial to
| the Chinese Minister, it is presumed
that the United States, at any rate as
| yet, has not decided to claim any
| sphere in China. According to opin-
| ion, here, S. rotary Hays denial was
only to be expected at this stage, and
whether or not it correctly forecasts
the attituA of the United States, it is
not regarded as dissipating the belief
that the open door, is now the basis
of negotiations between the Powers, far
more comprehensive than mere
answers to the United States requests
| for assurances.
In addition to being the center of at
traction in Europe'S excitement over
mooted alliances, Mr.. Chamberlain oc-
cupies the center of the stage in the
French British dispute. His official
recognition of the French press dis
patches, and the threat of retaliation
made in his Leicester speech have in
CURED the censure of many of his own
supporters, while his utterances irri-
| tated the French almost to an alarm
ing extent
The Speaker declares that Mr.
Chamberlain's head has been turned
by the interview with Emperor Will
liam, and expresses the hope that the
French Nation will not forget that he
is not yet Foreign Secretary. The fact
that the French naval attache, speak
ing at the Temple Yacht Club dinner,
simultaneously with Mr. Chamberlain.
emphatically disowned before Admiral
Beresford and the other attaches and
seven hundred prominent Britons. the
attacks on the Queen has rendered Mr.
Chamberlain's notice of them more
striking.
The "Autorite,'' a Paris paper. saws:
I'VE are confronted by the positive
threat of war. Possibly it does not
correspond with British naval senti-
ment, but it is Mr.. Chamberlain who
commands. We would assuredly have
desired to preserve peace, but the Mini
ster who leads Great Britain wants
war. which is, consequently, newt
able
This extract from the "Autorite,'
voices the extreme tone. The Petit
Parisien" believes Mr.. Chamberlain
tried to throw dust in the eyes of the
British public, in order to avoid hav-
ing attention attracted to the defeats
in South Africa
Thus the Colonial Secretary has
stirred up hornets nest. In marked
contrast to his line of action is that
of NJ. Del Case, whose moderate
speeches and statesmanlike references
to the Transvaal received the warmest
commendation from all sections of the
British press, though several firms
have announced that they have with
drawn their exhibits from the
Paris Exposition on account of French
enmity
The South African war progresses
slowly. The work or rectifying the
false military situation is evidently
none too easy. General Buffers cam
paign, instead of being aggressive. as
planned, is now wholly subservient TO
the necessity of relieving Kimberly and
Ladysmith. It seems that both objects
will be soom gained, though not with
out another engagement between Cen
eral Whites unstrengthened forces and
the reinforced Beers.
General Methuen is described in a |
weekly as being the bright spot in the |
Boer campaign. He has won great |
popular favor by his victories on the |
march to Kimberley. No one, it is !
said, knows the topography between the
Orange River and Kimberley better
than he does. He traversed in 1884 all I
the ground he is now operating on.
The General works his men harder
than almost any other British officer.
and is somewhat Spartan in his habits.
taking enlisted mems rations and living
their life in contrast to General Clery.
who is accompanied by special French
chef and strictly ordered his staff to
take out an ample supply of stores and
delicacies.
The story is told of how Colonel
Baden-Powel went to Mafekinr IT /
appears that while on leave in London.
having left his regiment in India. he
met Lord Wolseley in Piccadilly.
"Hulloa," said the Commander-in-
Chief, you ought to be in South At
RIGA. Can you get out at once.
Colonel Baden-Powel left the same
day
According to M. A. p MAINLY About
People,, the Queen is grieving so deep
ly over the heavy losses on the British
side in South Africa that she can
scarcely be induced to talk on any other