New-York tribune., 1900-10-20
TOPICS IN LONDON.
t,r7LIER's FRANKNESS MAKES A FAVOR
ABLE IMPRESSION.
cARrNET MAKING STILL IN PROGRESS
OPERA SINGERS SAIL TO-DAY-LoRD
0T-PEyAATS CHARGES
DURHA0rs CHARGES.


DURHAArs CHARGES.
roepyrisht 1900: BY The New-YOrk Tribune.l
IBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.l
london. Oct 90 a. m.-General Buffers
sneech in Natal in defence OF his plan Of cam
raign g. year ago Is the chief topic among mill
tarv men. His frankness appeals to the best
instincts Of English character and creates IA
,,orable impression which Will secure for him an
enthusiastic reception when he returns. His
Judgment in making the relief of Ladysmith the
Arst objective point Of the campaign and in pre-
venting the Boer occupation Of Lower Natal is
,o7r z-indicated by unbiased opinion of military
men here although the newspaper experts have
not altered their tone. He was victim of Brit
isb overconfdence which had forecast grand
r-on1euade from Cape Town to Pretoria, and
also Of the defective defensive preparations by
which General Whites field force was divided
between Ladysmith and Dundee instead of
Iadysrnith and COlenso. If he unjustly
censured for conducting campaign in a corner
instead Of carrying out his original plan, he
was rightly held responsible for failure at Co
leuso and Spion Kop, although Colonel Long dis
obeyed orders in one battle and General War
ren was unmanageable in the other. He was
enabled TO retrieve his reputation partially by
subsequent good work, but there will be no dis
sent from his own manly confession that he
Justly lost the chief command.
Military men have told me that to General
Butler was offered the chief command in success
sion to Lord Roberts and he declined it, but l
have not succeeded in obtaining official con-
frmation of this report. Lord Roberts has act
ed, in any event, like true gentleman in allow
ing him to return in advance and receive
hearty welcome.
Buffers tribute to Sir Evelyn Wood will be
helpful in keeping him at the post Of Adjutant-
General, where his term will not expire for two
years Woods deafness would have been
great obstacle to success in the field.
General Buffers reference TO the tremendous
strain on the individual soldier under fire day
after day ought to moderate the zeal OF the
agitators for sweeping and drastic military re-
forms system which develops heroism and
patience in individual soldier is not so plack
as It has been painted.
Cabinet making remains a favorite occupa-
ton. The opinion prevails in diplomatic circles
that Lord Salisbury viii not leave the Foreign
Office and that he is not harassed over the
China situation. He has retained throughout the
negotiations the advantage known among whist
PLAYERS as the fourth hand. The other Powers
have led up to England. and his hand has not
been forced.
Maurice Grau will sail to-day by the Ameri-
can liner for New-York with Edouard De
Reszke. Cremonini. Dufriche Muhlemann,
Scotti Mile. Bauermeister. Susan Strong, Rose
OUtzJ1a and other members of his opera COM
pany en- route for San Francisco Others will
Join the ship at Cherbourg. but Mime. Eames is
too III 10 travel. and Jean de Reszke and Mile.
Rreval will be detained until December. Mr..
crau will produce Reyer's "Salammbo" and
Massenets "Cid" and "Herodiade," and expects
a most brilliant season of opera in America
Sir Thomas Upton has not changed his atti-
tude Of amiable reserve in discussing the fresh
contest for the Americas Cup. He tells me
that he has barely heard that his challenge has
been accepted, and that he has had no oppor-
tunity for considering arrangements respecting
the construction Of a new yacht He adds that
the terms and conditions Of the last race were
satisfactory to all concerned, and that the
change Of date will give better chance for
sport. He says:
Given favorable conditions of weather. I am
confident all arrangements will be completed
satisfactorily
Sir Thomas Upton is as diplomatic as any
Irishman Of the best type and promises TO give
fun information about his yacht as soon as the
plans are completed
The propagation Of Parliament which was an
nounced last evening has occasioned no sur
prise but it emphasizes the complaint Of the
Liberals that the country was unnecessarily
hustled into a general election upon stale
register. II is not expected that Parliament VIII
meet before the end Of January the financial
situation is easy and no necessity has arisen for
sn immediate further vote on account Of war
supplies.
The question of railway contracts for Africa
continues 10 receive attention in the English
newspapers The War and Colonial offices are
anxious to have it publicly announced that they
know nothing whatever about any orders being
placed in America, but in British commercial
circles more importance is likely to be attached
70 the unofficial statement that contracts for
railway material for the East well as for
South Africa have been secured by American
firms
The Manchester Guardian warns Lord Dur
ham that he must either justify or withdraw
his indictment against American jockeys.
Inf.