New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-15
LATEST LONDON COMMENT
A LOW TONED CAMPAIGN-MR CHAM
BERLAIN'S FUTURE-THE SOUTH
AFRICAN MINES
fcopyTight; 1900: BY The New-York Tribune.I
TBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.I

tcopyrsht; 1900: BY The New-York TribuneI
IBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.I
London. Oct. TO- 8 a. m.-There are many signs
Of public relief over the close of the canvass.
While it has been a short canvass, there has
been much bitterness. Old politicians describe
II as a carnival Of bad manners and evil pas
sions. Two members of the Ministry have been
charged with having a financial interest in
Government contracts. Members of the Op-
position have been arraigned as traitors There
have been challenges to libel suits, and Hon
orable Members of Parliament have called one
another liars. and the Colonial Secretary has
been repeatedly portrayed a craven states
man who condoned Cecil Rhodess guilt be-
cause he knew that the bundle Of incriminating
letters would be read in the Commons if he
failed TO DO so. The ordinary amenities of pub
lie life have been suspended. and it has been
low toned canvass. with many breaches of good
taste and fair pay. Well bred Englishmen
shrug their shoulders and confess that the
standards Of party politics have been lowered
by offensive personalities and malignant as
saults. What was designed by the Ministers as
q patriotic khaki revel has degenerated into a
campaign defamation.
The influence of this canvass upon the per-
sonal fortunes of Mr.. Chamberlain is now the
chief topic Of political circles. Nobody denies
that he has been ferociously and wantonly at
tackled and that the Birmingham Midland coun-
ties, Lancashire and the country generally have
stood by him and vindicated him. It is also ad-
mitted, even by his admirers that in forcing the
f1ghting and resenting foul aspersions he has
erred in Judgment and committed a breach of
good taste. Mr. Labouchere is not treated Sc
riously, even when he drags Abel Thomas for
ward as the custodian of the discriminating let
tiers. which We're not read in the Commons be-
cause Mr.. Hawksley's client spared.
Thomas and Eawksey are both Radicals. and
do not like Mr.. Chamberlain, but they are also
solicitors and not likely to be so unprofessional
TO forget their clients interests for the sake
Of supporting Labouchere's charges These stale
accusations against Mr.. Chamberlain lose much
Of their force when it is remembered that
Labouchere has been smarting under provoca-
tons received when his own letters were dug
up Ia South Africa and brought to light through
the Colonial Office.
8Ir. Chamberlain really suffers from his own
zeal and aggressiveness in the canvass. Men
are saying that he lacks the sober qualities and
serenity Of temper required for leadership.
Three weeks ago he was nominated for one Office
after another, and described as the dictator of
the Cabinet He is now by common agreement
Of all political gossips left in the Colonial Office
TO finish UP the job in South Africa. and it is
even whispered that Of Lord Salisburys
objects in going TO Lancashire will be to pay
hearty tribute to the services of his maligned
colleague.
In view of the publication Of the documents
captured when the official residence of the Vice
roy Of Pe-Chi-Li was occupied by the allies, it
viii be useless for the Chinese Court to assert
any longer that it did not give its hearty sup
port to the Boxer movement
Not much notice is being taken here of the
proposed scheme to erect in London with Ameri-
can capital hotel for the benefit of feminine
wage earners. The idea of a women's hotel for
London is not a new one, but previous pro-
posals have always fallen through owing to
lack Of financial support.
General Buffers impending return from South
Africa, is understood to be due to a rather I'M
expected call upon his services to reorganize
the Army Service Corps His experience in
South Africa Of the many defects of the ex-
isting organization has led TO the authorities
asking him TO put the system under which the
corps conducts its work upon a proper footing.
Il is now the general belief that to General
Kitchener. who is a faYorite of Lord Salisbury,
viii be given the task of maintaining order in
the TransvaaI and Orange River Colony.
The South African mining companies have
heen bitterly disappointed by the delay in ending
The military campaign. They sent their en-
gineers and agents to Cape Town when Pre-
toria was occupied and there they have re
raained in idleness month after month. A dozen
engineers. representing the largest mining in
terests, have been allowed to go to Johannes
burg and report on the condition of the plant,
but pumping operations have not been resumed,
and miners and natives cannot be employed until
the railways prepared TO carry coal and
supplies on a large scale. The railways barely
suffice for the needs Of the army, and it is not
believed that the mines can be operated with
efficiency before the end of six months It
may be twelve months before returns are re-
oeiyed from the immense mass of capital in
vested in the TransyaaL L y. T.