New-York tribune., 1900-12-16
NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS.
LONDON.
TEE TREND OF ENGLISH OPINION is
AGAINST THE DAVIS AMENDMENT
WEAKNESS OF THE MINISTRY SHOWN UP
BY PARIIAMENT-MINoR REvERsEs
IN SOUTH AFRICA CAUSE
DEPRESSION
DEPRESSION.
Eooryrisht; 1900: BY The New-yOrk Tribuns-l

copyright; 1900; BY The Sew-York Trfbune.l
TBV rKTsuNE.l
r,ondon. Dec. I5.-Clearly there is less excite
merit in England over wreeking the canal treaty
than there is in America. The Spectator pro-
nosed at the close OF the Spanish war the abro-
cation by the British Government Of the Clay
ton-Bulwer Treaty. and is now. perhaps the
only journal that considers the Davis amend
rnent matter Of little Importance. since in the
improbable event OF war between America and
England the battle would be fought on the sea,
IS Captain Mahan has declared. and the victor
would dictate terms concerning the canal. The
Spectator" is the only exception TO the general
trend Of opinion. The English press is against
the acceptance Of the mutilated treaty. and in
favor of falling back upon the British rights
under the older treaty law. which are guaran-
iced by tho American Constitution. Its Ian
guage is most temperate. and the importance
of the whole controversy is minimized one
that concerns The honor of the Mckinley Ad-
rninistratioa more closely than the dignity OF
the Salisbury Government The State Depart
ment initiated the negotiations and Lord Sails
bury, in a spirit Of accommodation. granted
every favor which asked The Senate has
now affronted President Mckinley a month
after he was armed by the electorate with fresh
reserves OF power. and this has been done ap-
pArently because the continental railways are
not willing TO have the canal constructed. This
Is the English view, whether right or wrong.
and there is regret that the American Govern
ment in proposing the settlement Of a vexatious
controversy. has not known what il wanted.
There is resentment over evidences Of anti
English feeling. II there are any such evidences.
and English journal is haunted by the idea
that the two countries viii ever so 10 war over
the canal As the whole subject is summed up
by many journals. the canal will not be built
md he
carry all freight.
The closing formalities Of the session Of Par
lament were witnessed to-day mainly by new
members who considered their presence indis-
penshbe 10 an adjournment with proper dignity.
The Ministry is not stronger in consequence Of
this session. but weaker, since the Chancellor
Of the EXchequer IS again convicted of incapsc-
ity for financing the war otherwise than by petty
expedients. and Mr.. Brodrick has not shown
signs OF having risen 10 the full stature OF a
War Minister required for a great emergency.
Mr.. Chamberlain. usual. comes out with fly
ing eolors as the strongest man in the Cabinet,
who knows what the country wants and also
how 10 protect himself against sWarms of
sianderers. The tactics Of the Liberal side have
been admirable, with the exception of a single
bresk on the part OF ths Little Englander group
Lord Rosebery appeared at the opening and tile
close Of tho proceedings, and confirmed the i'm
preston that ne viii not require protracted
wooing for a resumption of the Liberal leader |
ship
The chief victim Of his acrid structures is Lord
Hsrdwcke who has been forced to confess that
the embarrsssments Of mortgaged estate drove
him into the Stock Exchange 10 make a living. |
since a career on Change was more con-
genial 10 him than easy hunt for an heiress |
foreign or domestic. Lord Hardwicke did not
consider it necessary for Minister 10 give up a
sleeping partnership IL city firm or to aban-
don the right Of returning some day and doing
business on the Stock Exchange. Lord Sails
bury and the Duke Of Devonshire supported him
on the point OF honor but Lord Rosebery stoutly
maintained that Minister Of the Crown should
be member Of a Stock Exchange firm This
session OF Parliament has been chiefly remark
able for debates on personal questions and for
the chilling effect Of all official references TO the
campaign in South Africa.
Lord Kitchener has confirmed this morning
the fears expressed by military experts last
night The companies of the Northumberland
Fusiliers and the Yeomanry which were sur
prised by Delsrey on high ground above Nooitge-
oacht are reported missing. 10 the number OF
51S officers and men. Their capture by the
Beers is considerable exploit. which will pro-
long hostilities. and il is attended by circum-
stances implying that the British camp was O..
lis guard and Unexpectedly attacked. and. more
over, that Colonel Brosdwood's cavalry. on the
horthern side OF the mountains had not done
enecuFe scouting work in preventing the ap-
proach OF formidab bic hostile force. Old SOL
Oilers shrugged their shoulders when they read
lhe summary OF losses and commented upon
tne large proportion Of officers I'm the list OF
klieo as an indication that the rank and file
nae "aVered and that IL was necessary for
1hose IN command 10 rally them. Lord Kitchen
e bulletins also contain closing references to
t4e famous fox hunt. General De Wet has
Dreh Followed by KnOx's troopers 10 Thaba
Nchu on the Ladybrand line, and in spite OF
Deihg hard pressed, constantly harried and tenn
Porsrly held up. viii probably succeed in run
hing The gantlet and escaping northward. Part
OF ms force has gone through and there is little
nope among military men here that he will be
captured without long and relentless chase.
The failure OF this pursuit and the surprise Of a
British camp forty miles west of Pretoria are
not great reverses like the defeats Of a year ago
but merely stern reminders that the war has not
ended and that hOstilities will continue as long
as the Boer ammunition holds out The repeat
&c lncursions OF Boer commanders IN certain dis
picts convince some experts that there are
secret hiding places OF war material TO which
they return for fresh supplies Of powder and
Shot This course indicated in a remark
able pamphlet the Boer plan OF campaign
published year ago. with series Of other fore
casts which have been fulfilled in detail. These
noing places OF ammunition will have the ef-
ieci OF creating a series OF centres for Boer
operations. where the British forces will repeat
ecly be engaged.
To the dissppointments OF wartime. which are
keerly felt when the Christmas season is ap-