The sun., 1900-01-11
BRITISH MINISTRY
BLAMED FOR DEFEAT
Bitter Criticism in England Of
the Actions Of the
Salisbury Cabinet.
TIE GOVERNMENT MAY FALL
Important Alternative, According TO
Press Dispatch, is That Either
Lord Lansdowne or Lord VOL
seley the Commander May
be Sacrificed.

London, Jan. lO.--The plight OF British |
arms n South Africa is overshadowed |
for the present by the storm which is
bursting over the head OF the home gov
crnmcnt. The Manchester speeches Of
MIRA J. Balfour, the government leader
in the house of commons, have loosened
such torrent OF criticism from the press
and individuals Of his aE2 party that
were parliament 10 reasst 2 =, today il
Is doubtful IL the Conservatives would re-
tain power in spite OF their tremendous
majority Of the past session. The pent
sup dissatisfaction with the governments
lack OF energy in waging the war is no
longer concealed. When such ardent
Conservative papers as The Times and
The Globe come ont boldly with reproof,
there Is no knowing when the agitation
will end. The provincial press has al
ready taken np the cry.
For the moment Mr.. Balfonr Is the
scapegoat, but there is a terrible rod in
pickle for the Marquis or Lansdowue.
--S5fd Salisbury and other cabinet
ministers will not escape unless Won
derful change comes over the war situa
ton.
II Is learned that the Conservative lead-
ers privately admit the gravity OF their
position, but fail 10 see what can be done.
In the meanwhile they hope that sue
cesscs in the field will abate the popular
clamor Some OF the Conservative papers
so so far as TO reEre. the extreme age Of
the cabinet ministe and refer 20 the
cabinet as 4 body OF patriarchs. Under
these circumstances it is doubtful wheth-
er events transpiring. between now and
the reasscmbling o. parliament will be
powerful enough % restore confidence p
the government and maintain is major
ity.
May BE scapeEoats.
There is the important alternative that
Lord LansdOUac Or Lord Wolscley may
be sacrificed \ press representative
learns that Lord Wolseley not only disap-
proved OF Lord Roberts appointment 70
the chief command OF the British troops
in South Africa, but allowed his disap-
proval 10 be generally known. while It =
: fact that he knew nothing Of the gov,
ernu1ent's intentions in this re9Dect Until
be saw the announcement Of the alp,.a
ment in the newspapers.
I. Is said that il il ever comes TO pub
lie disagreement between the commander
II chief and the secretary OF state for
-sar, II will be a fight far more bitter
than the one waged between Generals
Alger anu " les. W haAeNtl NbSur7t t---
immediate I ture will doubtless see at
tacks on the government such as Lord
Salisbury has not had TO withstand dur
ing the course ct his political career.
THE borrowing powers conferred on the
gov.. -ucnt 1t the last session OF parlia
rnent are almost exhausted. About 100,
600 out OF the 5000 600 treasury bills au
thorized have already been issued. But
the large revenues comins in will proba
usnHs;y furnish ample funds until parliamen
ets.
There Is a singular dearth Of newi
|om all parts of the theater of war
General French supplements his lates
ndvices BY reporting that Captain Ricar
do and four troopers OF the Life guard
are missing. showing that his reconnolter
ing party met with opposition.
General Gatacre dispatched a stron
force Monday. Jan. S, TO econnoite
Stormberg, which the Beers were report
ed 10 have evacuated. The British foun'
the burghefs strongly intrenched and re
turned to Sterkstroom.
II is said that the American flour seiz
ed at Delagoa Bay has been released
The United States ambassador, Mr.. Jc
seph II. Choate. had an interview wit
the Marquis OF Salisbury and received
verbal reply to the representations OF 70
Washington government on this suhjec
but the British written note has not yt
Y,aar, cora plated