The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-05-06
LORD ROBERTS'ADVANCE
English People Taking Great interest in
Present Operations.
MAY ADOPT GEN. ElTCHENER'S TACTICS
Probable TINT Swift blow May he
struck at Observation-Disclosures of
the Bocr Delegates.

London. May 5.--Among the many inter
esting topics brought before the English
psblic in the last few days. Lord Roberts
advance on Pretoria is pre-emlnent. The
I inception OF this YEARLY awaited move
nient has thrown open to the papers and
tho people, hitherto conservative to prog
nosticate or criticise. the sluices OF free
| thought. Hence the probable duration
OF the siege Of Pretoria, the facilities
OF the Beers for carrying on guerilla war
fare subsequent 20 being defeated ia Il
decisive engagement and the possibilities
of retaining the colonials and reseryists
now under arms as settlers in British
South Africa. are now matters OF serious
speculation.
Upon details OF the military strategy
that is to accomplish the putting into ac-
ton of various theories advanced, the
wisest are silent for the war critics have
been SO evidently at sea regarding Lord
Roberts plan OF campaign that the stald
weekies prefer to jump at the result
without devoting space to prognostlca-
tons of the steps 10 accomplish tho same.
however celebrated the prophets may ba
stu there is a widespread reeing that the
end will come quicker than was expected
Ihls Impression figures not 80 much among
the writings of professional critics who
nave found themselves so often wrong
that they are almost afraid OF their own
judgment as among prominent business
men, stock exchange leaders and those In
close touch with the government. a ma
jority OF whom are inclined to draw a
close parallel between tho Boer war and
the conquest OF the soudan. Keen recol-
lections Of General Kltchener's long walt |
before striking a blow and the rapidity OF
decision with which he smote. when trans |
port and other facilities had been organ
lied. lead tho bulk OF the best British |
opinion to believe that a similar plan has
been followed 10 the Free State although
for fear Of being wrong they do not ad-
vance their idea very strongly. We're
Lord Woaeleys prophecies that Lord Rob-
erts viii be in Pretoria on May Is accomp- !
lished, there would be no undue citation or
surprise, and there are men who believe
that Sir Gorge Whites opinion that the
war Will last only six weeks snger may
be Justified within an approximate limit.
IL is, OF course, possible that this hope
fnlness is based chiefly on the principle
that the wish Is father to the thought
The debate on the publication of the
Splcnkop dispatches has closed an unin-
revealed the governments utter lack OF
tact With no serious case to face ana
with the army regulations 90 Justify their |
action, they appealed, through MIR. Bal
four to sentiment and based their plea |
on the duty Of the conservatives to prn-
teot Lord Lansdowne's personal honor. !
ny SO doing, although naturally thsy car
ried the day. they gained nothing and
added fuel to tho feud between Butler aud
Roberts. that both with the public and
In tho service threatens to rival the !
Sampson schley controversy.
h liopelessly but withal Interestingly in
termingled with the coun \ SIS war oles.
lions are matters of American and In
ternal and external policy. These arc
receiving q notice that delights the |
hearts OF Thorn who fear the United states |
Is not factor in the affairs OF Europe. |
Inc VISIT hf the Boer delegates Is nerhApS |
more responsible for this phase than any !
other factor; but Secretary Roofs dec |
laratlon for an aggressive Monroe doc |
trine comes In for a large share of COM
ment. while Admiral Dewey's candldncv
the continued troubles in the PHILIPPINES |
dealt with.
Inc absence OF any development in the
American controversy with Turkey has |
resulted In that matter being banisbed I
from the serious probabilities and prob |
hply no ldea is entertained IN England that |
1t will result seriously
Regarding the Boer delegates. the
Spectator and the outlook voice current |
English opinion. the former saying that
there is no fear that the Americans will
be taken In, more especially AS II Is. very |
doubtful whether the delegates have any |
power to bind elthsr President Kruger or |
the volksraad, while the outlook remarks, |
The Only hope of the delegates ia the
United States lies in the gamble OF presl- |
Dental politics, Yet even there the pros
poet Is disheartenlpg. The Americans will |
remember--if tho delegates do not-that |
America owes her independence to armed |
protests against being taxed without rep |
resentatlon."