The sun., 1900-03-26
WHEN WILL WAR END?
One of Three Questions That Are
Troubling England.
IMPERIAL FEDERATION TALK
How to Treat the So Called Rebel
Prisoners In South AfrIca Is
Also Bothering the Eng
Iish Statesmen.

|
lation have been rife during the week
They are the possibility of the dissolu-
tion of parliament in the summer, impe-
rial federation and the method of treat
ment of the so called rebel prisoners in
South Africa. So far as parliament is
concerned it might as well dissolve at
once for all the interest that is being
taken in its proceedings. Many appar-
emily inspired articles appear forecasting
dissolution at various dates, but as a
matter of fact the existence of the pres
ent house depends entirely upon the prog
ress of British arms in South Africa. If
they meet with quick success, there will
be, 1T is thought. an early dissolution. If
the war drags on, Lord Salisbury will re-
tain power TIL the last moment allowed
by the British constitution.
Waiting For Right Moment.
| With less than Il year in which to 90 to
the country it is only natural that the
| government will seize the most opportune
moment. but no member of the cabinet
| believes that such a moment has yet come
within the limits of reasonable determi-
nation. in spite of the fact that the COM
| mander in chief of the forces. Lord VOL
seley, is credited with prophesying that
Lord Roberts will be in Pretoria May H.
If the forecast of the almost forgotten
| chief commander of the British army
should prove correct, it would not be at
all unlikely that Lord Salisbury would
appeal to the electors in June. But sew
| eral of the cabinet ministers, including
Lord LansdoWnc, the secretary of state
for war, have small hope that the war
Will be over before the fall Of this year.
With such diversion of opinion pre-
valling i'll the best informed circles re-
gardng the duration of the conflict it is
evidently futile to prophcsy regarding the
tenure of the present government. The
latter Is obviously dependent upon the for
mer. Lord Salisbury has not any inten-
tion of appealing to the voters until the
British arms triumph in South Africa,
and no one of any Importance has vet
been brave enough to declare over his
own name when such an event is likely to
be accomplished. Hence the guesses at
the date of dissolution of parliament are
scarcely worth repeating, though by rea-
son of their number and variety some Of
them are almost bound to be correct.
Liberal Party Shattered.
When the general election comes, it can
scarcely fail to return the present ad-
ministration to power unless between this
time and that period some miracle affects
the cohesion of the Liberal party. So
disintegrated does this party appear to
be that Sir Edward Grey, the shining
light of the Rosebery faction, found it
necessary last week when speaking at the
City Liberal club. London, to protest that
internal dissension was 10 just cause for
the death of the basic Liberal principles.
1t IS curious travesty upon truth that
imperial federation and the formation of
some great council of the empire have
been more brought to public notice by
Sir Wilfrid Laulier. the Canadian pre-
mier, i'll his speech ut Ottawa than even
by the presence i'll London of the fedora
tion delegates from Australia. puncI's
chief cartoon last week was devoted to
depicting Sir Wilfrid Laulier in pleasing
contrast with Sir Wilfrid Lawson. the
English Liberal who insists that the war
is not justified. Yet those who know the
undercuments thoroughly are well aware |
that the Canadian premer's attitude and |
unwillingness to send out Canadian
troops caused the colonial office more
anxiety than almost any recent occur
renee.
movement grows daily. The imperial |
Lord Salisbury Il promise to seriously |
consider its proposals for an imperial |
council to watch over the interests of the
empire as Il whole. On all sides articles
appear debating the ways and means by
which the colonies who have participated
in the defense of the empire may have n
voice in its councils. What difficulties
stand in the way of this are apparent
from the proceedings of the Australian
delegates daily visiting the colonial Of
flee in the interests of their federation
bill. All sorts of unexpected bitches
have come up, and it is feared the fed
GRAFTON may have to be submitted ad |
to the Australian people in
consequence of the changes which, after
closer inspection by the imperial authori.
ties, appear necessary, though the bill
has already been passed by Australia, /
and the referendum would delay action
for almost year.
1t is reported that the Duke of York
meditates paying complimentary visits
after the war to all the great colonies.
The Question of Prisoners.
The question of the colonial prisoners
from being the subject of cable mes
sages exchanged between Lord Sails
bury and President Kruger has sprung
into general discussion. Iii this connec-
lion it is understood that President Kru-
ger set the ball rolling by demanding
that colonial insurgents and British sub
iects commandeered by the Beers should
when captured be treated as prisoners 81
war or else repriSalS would be taken on
he British prisoners at Pretoria. Lord
replied, saying he would deal
with the rebels as seemed tit and would
hold President Kruger personally reSpon-
sibe for the treatment of the Pretoria
prisoners, whereupon President Kruger
is reported TO have reioined that he would
mold Lord Salisbury personally response
BILE for the rebels or something of that
nature.
But on all sides is being discussed what
should be done with the insurgents cap
tured by the British. A commission of
British judges to go out to the Cape is
talked Of though this is scarcely likely to
happen. The predominating feeling seems
TO favor the policy of leniency now being
carried out under Lord Roberts direc-
tion in spite of the fact that both
through cable dispatches from South
Africa and letters from English readers
N the newspapers there has been a BIT
ter outcry against allowing the insur-
gents to go scot free. But the sober
minded newspapers are convinced of the
fact that the main objective is peace