The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-12

gallant anG C0lNdllOuS gentleman.
This bluff tribute voices. perhaps better
than any expert criticism, the feeling of
the Nation. The generally accepted feeling
that Ladysmith is not in SO great peril as
last week emanates entirely from the par
TALLY renewed confidence in General White
and the lack of bad news. This applies
equally to Mafeking. Kimberley and other
points. The popular and expert impression
now is that these places and Ladysmith
will not fall into the hands of the Beers,
though, some people add. ii is hard to see
any ground for making definite prognosti-
cation to that effect, for to the impartial
observer 1t seems to be- toss-up.
1t is learned by the Associated Press that
one of the most remarkable innovations in
warfare will shortly be tested in South
Africa. Lieutenant Foullxes, young Off
Ger Of the Royal Engineers, sailed for Cape
Town Oct. IL to put photographs to uses
hitherto considered impracticable, which, if
successful, will revolutionize the methods
of military Reconnaissance. Briefly summed
up, Foulkes's proposition is to indicate the
exact position and formation of the Beers
by means Of telephoto pictures. He takes
out an equipment of his own invention and
is attached to General Buffers staff. Here
tofore reconnoitering parties have returned
from that hazardous duty with only a
roughly sketched map showing the general
distribution of the Boer lines. 1t Is hoped
here that these win now be superseded by
photographs, moie accurate and secured at
less danger, the eelephoto lens not necessi-
tating such near approach to the enemy.
The main objection to the plan is the time
occupied in developing the photographs, and
this is said to have been overcome by
Foulkess method, as during the trials he
has prints ready seven minutes after focus
ing. 1t is said that photographs thus Sc
cured will be of great value in verifying
routes ard preventing columns from losing
their way; also rendering them practically
| independent Of guides when advancing on
unknown ground. Foulkes carries his entire
| equipment on his own and his orderly's BIZ
cycles. painted khaki. The camera is a
simple-looking affair, for handwork, but it
is fitted with the most expensive scientific
! devices.
NOT HIS FIRST EXPERIMENT.
The experts who know the object of the
mission are looking forward with keen in
terest to the spectacle of battle plans being
formed on photographs taken, developed
and printed at the furthest outposts, prob
| ably within easy range of the Beers.
| Foulkes carries a Mauser, a revolver and
a carbine- He previously experimental with
| this class of photography while serving in
Sierra Leone in the Huttax expedition, Sc
| curing results upon which the War Office
! has now sent him to South Africa.
The Duke of Newcastle's offer TO bear the
cost of fitting out a hospital ship, to be
known as the Princess of Wales has been
| accepted by the Red Cross Society. A pri-
vate doner has undertaken to provide an
other Red Cross ship with complete Roent-
gen apparatus.
The raising of the fund for the American
! hospital ship, which now amounts to s72 CO.,
has been marked by some division of feeling
in the American colony. 1t has been learned
| by a representative of the Associated Press
that several Americans have declined to
contribute, for, while sympathizing with the
object, they said they believed the methods
4 cf~ raising the subscription had resulted in
much obnoxious social business and self-ad-
vertisng. An American official in London
| said to a representative of the Associated
Press: 'It is m excellent idea, but many
of these American women who are doing so
much for England were among those who
last year even sympathized with poor Spain.
openly declaring they hoped she would whip
us just because that feeling was fashionable
among a certain London set at that time.
| In my mind their efforts would have much
more point If they got up subscription for
| Philippines hospital ship, where our own
| poor fellows are getting wounded
| Lord Wemyss, with whom Mr.. Choate is
staying. writes suggesting that former vol
unteers be called out to join their former
| regiments for home service, as was done in
1859. when war with France was feared.
Foreigners would then see." says Mr..
| Choate's host, that they have to deal with
| half million at least of armed and trained
| Britons. plus the regular army, military,
yeomanry and volunteers now serving 1
| feel very certain this would have a most
sedative effect on our many foreign
| friends"
The recent intercolonial conference of
naval officers held at Melbourne, Victoria,
| drew up a scheme for an Australian naval
reserve to man vessels provided by the i'm
| perial government. The report on the SUBJ
| ject is now being considered by the various
ministers. 1t was greatly based on letter
| of Lord Brassey, who made extensive ref
erence to the usefulness of the United
! States reserves in the war with Spain, con-
| cluding: "Our colonial naval reserve
| should be drawn from the same class which
gave the navy Of the United States in
few weeks 1900 men, who, although with
out previous service on warships, were
found efficient for their duties
] Lord Brassey is incorrect in saying the
| American reserves have not been on war;
ships, but his reference and those embodied
! in the final report of the conference indi-
| cate how much Australia admired the
| United States navy's work against Spain.