The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-07-07
Affair Has Been Laid Before The Prince Of
Wales, and Society Waits
ROBERTS PUT LANsOOwNE lNAfIx.
The Real Reason Why No Troops VIII b Sent
frsm Ssuih Africa 10 ChIns-Ths War
Office Chsckmsisd.
(copyrlght by AssocIated Pres..

Copyright by Associated Press)
London. June For the first time
In years the Princess OF Wales accom-
panied the Prince of Wales TO New
market and II was a bitter disappoint-
ment to her to see Diamond Jubilee,
the Princes entry beaten.
Mr.. VIM. Waldorf f-Astor's recent
paragraph in his own paper the Pail
Mall Gazette. saying Capt. Sir Ber-
kelley Milne. OF the Naval arr Military
Club, Piccadilly, formerly commander
OF the Royal Yacht Osborne and well
known. club man atterded a concert at
the Astors' without an invitation, is
making great commotion i'm London
society and threatens TO seriously af-
feet Mr.. Astor's position therein.
1t seems that Capt. Milne. was din
ing at the house OF weli-known lady
who asked him to go with her party 10
the Astors concert. This is daily done
I'm London and Capt. Milne unhesitat-
ingly accepted.
On arriving Mr.. Astor instead of
shaking hands with the captain asked
the latter his name. Milne told him
and said that Lady - brought him
with her party. Mr.. Astor responded
that he had not the pleasure OF his
acquaintance. requested him TO leave
and added that he would insert a no.
tice in the newspapers.
RETIRED IN CONFUSION.
Capt. Milne retired in confusion
and. from the Naval and Military Club,
the same night, sent Mr.. Astor a let
ter OF apology and expressed the hope
that he would allow the matter TO
drop.
In spite of this. Mr.. Astor, in his pa
per, the next afternoon inserted, as
cabled to the Associated Press at the
time the following paragraph: I'VE
are desired to make known that the
presence of Capt. Sir Berkeley Milne
OF the Naval and Military Club. Picca-
dilly. at Mr.. Astor's concert last Tues
day evening was unlimited"
capt. Mines many influential
friends. who include the Duke OF York
are furious, the Duke and other naval
officers regarding Mr.. Astor's conduct
as an insult to their profession as well
as to a personal friend whose position
In London society is unquestioned
The members or the Naval and Mill
tary club are also indignant at the fact
that Mr.. Astor dragged in the name OF
Capt. Mines letter has been placed
before the Prince of Wales and society
Is awaiting the next move
ROBERTS DECLINATIoN.
Lord Roberts declination to allow
troops to be withdrawn from South
Africa for service In China is said to
have come about this way:
The secretary OF state for war Lord
I.QnqnnWra Ca or ack
ing IL he could spare a division and
Roberts replied Yes"
Lord Lansdowne then selected
number of favorite officers who have
been cooling their heels In the draw
ing rooms at home, for billets with the
force.
In the meanwhile Roberts cabled
suggesting that several OF his tried
commanders should accompany the di
vision he was preparing, adding that il
an army corps was needed he would
like to so himself.
LANsDowNE IN A FIX.
These recommendations put Lord
Lansdowne in an awkward fix. Before
he answered Lord Roberts suggestion.
the latter heard from private sources
that none of his seasoned lieutenanfs
were to go, but that warriors" who
had fattened on the flesh pots of the
city," were coming to take all COM
mands in the expedition. whereupon
the little man promptly wired London
that IL was impossible to send any
troops at all out OF South Africa, his
previous offer being based on imper-
feet Information. whereupon Lord
Roberts army rejoiced and the war
ONCE was reluctantly obliged to aban-
don a scheme whereby it was hoped
to molllfy many distinguished peace
soldiers and their relations. There Is
no definite confirmation Of this. but II
is told with considerable circumstan-
tiality