The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-29
LONDON NEWS AND GOSSIP.
Queen Nictoria's visit TO ireland the
Topic of the Day

|
in Dublin. No single incident arose to
mar the complete success of the realiza-
| tion of her spontaneous wish to meet her
| Irish subjects in manifestation of her
| appreciation of the devotion of Irishmen
| to the British flag In South Africa
Lord Cadogan used his personal influence
to deter the Unionists from attempting TO
turn the visit to political uses, and Mr.
| Eadmond's pledge in the same direction
was well observed among the Natioaalists.
1t is no exaggeration to say, as one writer
does say today, that the Queen managed
the lffair fer herself down to the smallest
te,ail. 1t was her inspiration 1t was
carried out with consummate judgment,
not the judgment of the subtle tactician
seeking a great political effect, but the
judgment which comes of Astounding wis
dom and the kindliest and most gracious
sympathy. No one is so ridiculous as to
suppose that the baronetcy conferred on
the Lord Mayor of Dublin or the knight
hood on the Mayor of Cork will make them
less stanch Nationalists or turn their
cities into centres of Unionism.
Your Honor" said a Dublin carman to
Mr.. Carson, the Queens counsel and mem
Der of Parliament, last week, isn't the
Queen a great example to all our ladies,
driving about everywhere with her nate,
smart little bonnet and white feather?'
There you get near the significance OF this
royal visit, the Queen as an example in
moderation and sympathy. That example
will not be lost upon either Irish or Eng
li3h politicians
Politics apart from the war there are
none just now. The House of Commons
resumed work on Thursday, but Westmin-
ster is the home OF dizziness. except when
the War Office is put under inquistion as
to Lord Roberts movements or the laches
of minor generals. The Spion Kop de-
spatches are the chief theme this week,
and the daily questionings of Under Sec
rotary Wyndham have pretty well COM
pleted the disclosure of that failure of the
British arms. In Lord Roberts they have
complete confidence. General Butler will
be kept in command in Natal, and will,
they believe, do good work there. Sir
Charles Warren is removed to a semi
civil post in -Griqualand West. and Lord
Methuen has small command in place
of his former large command. All hangs
now on Lord Roberts and the tussle for
which he has been so assiduously prepar-
ing for weeks past.
Once again England is subject to an at
tempt to raise navy scarce. although she
is spending more than twice much
money on the marine defenoes OF her En-
pire as she did ten years ago. That curious
but powerful body of amateur naval ex-
perts. calling itself, the Navy League. has
started a new campaign for a heavy in
crease in expenditure. They are holding
public meetings addressing alarmist cir
cularS to the newspapers, and generally
beating the loud drum, especially in view
of the general election campaign now about
to begin. They desire the elimination from
the navy list of all ships. either old or as
they think inadequately armed that the
public may realize the inadequacy of the |
fleet. They would thus reject thirty-four !
battleships and cruisers, and make that !
rejection the starting point for new naval |
programme
As against this attitude of the Navy !
League unprejudiced authorities declare E
that the Navy never was stronger or mere ,
efficient than it is today, though there i.
a general belief that there can he no fe-
ductioa in future years in England's CO.
lossal naval bill which this year is about I
S15O, OOo. 900. Meanwhile English mauufac-
turers are taking to heart the fact that /
part Of last years naval vote could Eot
be spent because of their inability to cope
with the Admiralty requirements. A EUm
Der OF wealthy nCrth-country manufactur-
ers have formed new syndicate for the
manufacture OIL dTUlOF-pldle, large
sums are being spent in perfecting plant |
for the production of Krupp armor. Amer
lean machinery is being closely STUDIED .
by representatives OF various English I
firms now in the United States with he
view Of securing the most modern appli-
ances. The Admiralty has been pressed %
give contracts spread over many years 10
manufacturers for these level-
opments. but the Admiralty is pretty wary. /
IDn-s
equipment and orders will follow as
matter of course.
The hospital ship Maine, now lying in
dock here, having discharged her last
patient, leaves again soon for South Africa.
to bring home another batch of sick and
wounded from Lord Roberts command.
The original intention was, of course, that
the Maine should serve as a base hospital
at Cape Town or Durham, not as a trans
port hospital ship. and much curiosity has
been aroused as TO the reasons of this
change of plan. The medical authorities
who have inspected the ship say that the
change was necessary because her fittings |
and equipment render the ship more eff
cient in her new role. There is also much
discussion in medical circles of the deci-
sion to replace women nurses on the Maine
by men. OF course there is no such sug
ge ton of personal unfitness against the
some OF the amateur lady nurses who have
hocked out to the base hospitals in South
Africa. The change is due entirely to
reasons. Women take uD more /
room than men nurses. and are found
unable to carry patients up and
down from the deck as is most desirable !
in passing through the tropics
Moreover. in hospital ship more or less
there is a lack of privacy for
patient and nurse, which is the cause OF
mutual embarrassment and inconvenience |
This is particularly noticeable in a hastily
itted-out hospital ship in which the at
endants Cu the sick are the only women
ln board. On the general question of men
Dr. women nurses. Mr.. Frederick Treves,
he well-known surgeon, just back from
south Africa says that women are better
itted than men to act as nurses whether
he sick requiring attention be at a base
hospital attached to some army or in the
lot in the rough and tumble and crowded
life OF a hospital ship.
Cowper is the literary theme of the week
There has been a pretty though not very
celebration of the centenary
If his death at his sleepy little village
lome OIney. in 3uckinghamshre. Papers
we're read combating among other things
my attempt to put a slur upon Cowper's !
writings because of his occasional insan- .
ty.
Yesterday the Court Of Appeals con-
irmed the decision that Nudes cirCulat
ng library must pay $500 damages TO- cir
,ulating a book containing a libel This
lecision is taken very seriously by large
number OF circulating libraries as laying
hem open to heavy monetary risks. As