The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-01-14

Reconnaissance From tho MOdder River
r.up Into the orange FREQ State
Tn. Attacks on tho British Ministry.
Sr,oal Caoh D,spa,cA to TIVE Sun.
roxnoy. Jan. 13.-When for u moment at
IN. beginning Of the week the curtain over
s,r.h African affairs was raised the scene pre-
.sptsd othe anxious gaze Of the English people
caused something resembling stupefaction
and scarcely any one hoped that L~adysmith
could survive another twenty-four hour. But
At the las, moment bayonets. welded with the
courage OF desperation. saved the situation
and apparently, the Beers have not yet recov-
.rsd their appetite for further assault.
The political effect on England was visible
instantly. The irresponsible journals had for
,ome days been seeking an Official scapegoat.
but now the regular Government supporters.
the Times. Standard, Post and telegraph turned
,psriIy on tho Ministry. In three public
,peeches Mr.. Balfour replied briefly.
uIs defence amounted to a denial that the
Government was responsible for any OF the
uishaps in South Africa. aud In vindication Of
the War once no made the assertion that 1t
was utterly impossible for the Government to
act sooner than It did as public opinion had
not been unanimous in support OF warlike
IltItllNAbHN ahu 10 NUN
army CORPS" 1t was fortunate that Colonial
secretary Cham erlain was kept qu!et on this
occasion for even Mr.. Balfour. the most popu.
lar statesman In Great Britain. was accused OF
Unieism. irivolity and an open confession that
the Government was afraid to take the lead.
Some erstwh!le supporters even clamored for
HE removal. but the natural reaction has al.
ready set In. By summoning Parliament
definitely for Jan. 80 the Government has
shown that they are willing to face
the music. Quieter counsels. reminding
the public OF the folly Of swapping horses while
crossing a stream. are making themselves
heard. and 1t IL extremely improbable that a
vote Of censure can be passed. The Times has
cooled OF in It's attacks. but still complains OF
the folly OF the first message to the colonies
that unmounted men were preferred. As a
matter Of fact Gen. Butler. acting as Com
mander-ln-Chiei then. vetoed the acceptance OF
the Colonial mounted mon. II will probably be
found. II the whole truth comes out. that Gen.
Butler Is responsible for much that has hith-
erto been charged against the Cabinet.
As regards the actual war meanwhile the fact
that Butler Is at Springfield Is the only news
from the front. The outcome aud methods OF
his operations are completely matters OF spec
~ulRtion. but on the former depends his reputa-
ton. There is no news OF the other columns.
Il Is persistently stated and universally bellcy-
ed that Gen. Methuen has only nominally CON-
manded his division since the Magersfontein
fght because his mental balance was upset by
the strain. His family history. using the
phrase In a medical sense, lends only too much
probability to the truth Of this report.
The Portuguese Minister called by appoint
ment at the Foreign Ofioe last Saturday aud
since then Portugal has declared her intention
OF being more careful In the observation OF the
duties OF a neutral at Dslagoa Bay. Almost
the entire personnel OF the Administration at
lorenzo Marques will probably be changed
shortly.
There Is considerable irritation here over
Holland's attitude, which may result In the
Foreign Office making another appoint
ment." The young Queen is intensely pro-
Boer. and has written 70 the Pope. the
Kaiser and the King Of Italy, begging them TO
take the diplomatic initiative to stop this
cruel fratricIdal war" She has also shown
marks OF favor to DR.. Leyds. the Transvaal
representative, who with his agents has
bought and shipped munitions OF war and en-
listed officers without hindrance since the war
commenced.
Il contrabanl OF war should be found on any
~ ~ - III ItSI hltlNu llut IL
certainly be shown that it is there without the
knowledge and sanction OF the company. as
the President points ont that the owners have
too much TO risk in such business. They are
handsomely subsidized by four Governments.
the German. Portuguese. Netherlands and
Italian, for carrying the mails and all mail
contracts would be void II one OF their ships
was convicted o. i.lega! actions.
In EurOIe Iuulani's only rpal friand Ia italy
and she il proving "A friend in need. From the
first the Italian Government has put every
facility at the disrosal Of the British officers
engaged in buying mules and other things.
While strictly enforcing the neutrality principle
against the Boer agents. Moreover. according
too Rome correspondent. when It was made
known that the Creusot Company had refused
osell guns to England on any terms. word was
wired 10 London from Rome that the famous
Italian Gnnmakcrs. the Acieries Company,
fortunately had ready for shipment a battery
u bg quicE-irers. in every respectthe equal Of
The French weapon. A bargain was struck
forthwith, and there Is good reason to believe
mat the Italian guns are being shipped from
'''oh to-day, DR. leyds. the special Trans
'aai envoy 70 Europe, more than suspected the
l,Nlan good faith and sent q written protest to
Rome. No notice was taken OF 1t beyond n
i'fina acknowledgment OF its arrival.
IN" report that Russia and France have ad-
Crossed representations to England respecting
Interference with private and Official de-
spltches over the eastern cables ia entirely
without foundation. 1t would have been strange
had they done so, because nothing Is clearer
than that the international telegraph conven-
tons DO not amply in time Of war. As a matter
~ fact the British Government asserts that
is undeniable rights have been exercised with
extreme moderation and The tenderest regard
of'oreigners. II any Government should at
tempt to make a difficulty ii would be the cas-
last thing In the world for the British Admir-
aIty to give the hint. and within a few days the
cable wouIi be accidentally cut in the neigh
torhood OF beldgoa Bay. Before he left London
ten Butler suggested this very course. on the
ground that IL was evident that. in spite Of the
care exercised by military censors. the enemy
NaS getting valuable information. But the
government preferred to go on the principle OF
ewing the smallest provocation possible.