Evening star., 1900-07-07
The English Enjoy Themselves in
Spite Of Wars Abroad.
GREAT INTEREST IN ATHLETICS
w. w. Astor Offends London's
Swell Social Set.
FOREIGN NEWS AND GOSSIP

ASA>ooA~, Suiy t.-1Eulys 1Fedt BRITAIN II
the land of sport. British soldiers are fight
Ing barbarous enemy in the far east, in
dramatic endeavor to save the lives of
some of their fellow countrymen and main
tain their country's prestige; British SOL
diers are engaged in a similar task in
Ashanti. where British officers, women and
children are in danger Of being massacred
oy revolted savages, and a quarter of a
million Brftishers are still graphing with
the stupendous military and civil difficulties
that must be overcome before South Africa
is pacified. Yet, at home, racing, cricket,
running, rowing, polo, tennis and athletic
contests of all descriptions hold practically
undimintshed sway over public interest 1t
Is true that Henley week, as a social occa-
sion, has been more slimly attended than
for years past and the gorgeous summer
toilets did not blossom as usual on the
banks of the Thames But while society
deserted Henley, there was no diminution
In the quality of the rowing or in the in
terest OF those who watch Henley for its
sporting rather than for its social features.
The war and the weather were chiefly re-
sponsible for socety'S absence from the
great river carnival The beginning of the
many persons Cancelled their projected trip.
The OXford-Cambridge cricket match did
not suffer from these causes.
Interest in international Athletics.
The international athletics and polo are
also looked forward to with keen interest.
What, with such large athletic contngents
at present from the United States. an an
nual convention of the largest engineer or
ganization in America holding its meetings
within the shadow of Westminster Abbey
the hundreds of eXcursionists who, on their
way to Paris, pay flying visit to England,
to say nothing of those VINO regularly cross
the Atlantic for European holiday, it is
almost impossible to go anywhere without
meeting Americans. They are omnipresent.
over fifty Americans who were anxious to
attend the Fourth of July banquet had to
celebrate the day by themselves. owing to
lack of space The Fourth reception of the
United States ambassador, Mr.. Joseph II.
Choate, for Americans, was more crowded
than remembered in the history of the
American embassy A curious feature was
the presence of a man who strolled past
the flunkeys and said How dye do to
Mrs. Choate without removing his hat. and.
still with his head covered sat down in the
drawing room. full OF American women.
and began to puff lighted cigar. After
futile attempt to engage the ambassador in
conversation, this individual left, not in the
slightest put out because such action had
already been suggested to him.
The absence of balls and parties has driv
en- society to other forms of amusements,
the last diversion being evening boating
parties on the Serpentine, in Hyde Park.
For the first time in years the Princess of
Wales accompanied the Prince of Wales to
NeWHldTkeI. anu II was a Dltter UlSapp0lflt-
ment to her to see Diamond Jubilee, the
Princes entry and this years winner of
the Derby, beaten by Merry Gal
w. w. Astor Becomes Unp"puin-.
Mr.. William Waldorf Astor's recent para
graph in his own paper, the Pail Mall
Gazette saying Capt. Sir Berkeley Milne
of the Naval and Military Club. Piccadilly,'
formerly commander of the royal yacht cS-
borne and a well-known club man. attended
a a he ASto wi in>-jt
ton, is making a great commotion in Lon
don society and threatens to seriously affect
Mr.. Astors position therein 1t seems that
Capt Milne was dining at the house of a
her party to the Astors' concert. This Is
daily done in London and Capt. Milne un-
hesitatiEgy accepted. On arriving, Mr.. As
tor. instead of shaking hands with the cap
tain. asked the latter his name. Milne tod
him and said that Lady - brought. him
with her party. Mr.. Astor responded thai
he had not the pleasure of his acquaintance,
requested him to leave and added that Ec
would insert a notice in the newspaper.
Capt. Milne retired in confusion, and from
the Naval and Military Club the same
night sent Mr.. Astor a letter of apology
and expressed the hope that he would allow
the matter to drop. In spite of this Mr..
Astor, in his paper the next afternoon. in
serted as cabled to the Associated Press at
the time, the following paragraph:
I'VE are desired to make known that the
presence of Capt. Sir Berkeley Milne of the
Naval and Military Club. Piccadilly, at Mr..
Astor's concert last Thursday evening was
uninvited."
Capt Mines many influential friends who
include the Duke of York. are furious the
duke and other naval officers regarding Mr..
.Astors conduct as an insult to their pro-
fession as well as to a personal friend.
whose position in London society is unqueS
toned. The members of the Naval and Mill
itary Club are also indignant at the fact
that Mr.. Astor dragged in the name of their
club. The whole matter. with Capt. Mines
letter. has been placed before the Prince OF
Wales and society is awaiting the next
move.
Why Roberts Had No Trnors.
Lord Roberts declination to allow troops
to be withdrawn from South Africa for
service in China is said to have come about
this way. The secretary of state for war,
Lord Lansdowne, cabled Lord Roberts ask
ing If he could spare division. and Roberts
replied Yes" Lord Lansdowne then select
ed number of favorite officers who have
been cooling their heels in the drawing
rooms at home for billets with the force.
In the meanwhile Roberts cabled suggesting
that several of his tried commanders shou.
accompany the division he was preparing,
adding that If any army corps was needed
he would like to go himself. These recon-
mendations put Lord Lansdowne in an awk-
ward fix. Before he answered Lord Rob-
erts' suggestions the latter heard from pri-
vate sources that none of his seasoned lieu
tenants were TO go. Dut tnat warriors VINO
had fattened on the fleshpots of the city
were coming out to take all commands in
the expedition, whereupon the little man
promptly wired London that it was impos-
sibe to send any troops at all out of South
Africa. his previous offer being based on
imperfect information. whereupon Lord
Roberts army rejoiced and the war office
was reluctantly obliged to abandon scheme
whereby it was hoped to mollify many dis
tinguished peace-sold.ers and their rela-
tions. There is definite confirmation of
this, but 1t is told with considerable circum-
stantiality.
Scotch Militia Officers Resign.
The resignation of Lord Wemyss, the hon.
orary colonel and Col. Eustace Balfour the
commanding officer of the crack London
Scottish Volunteers, as a result of their
desire to protest against the government :
treatment of the volunteers in the service
has created a sensation. Col. Balfour is
brother of the cabinet minister of that
name. and Lord Wemyss has probably done
more for this branch of Great Britain's de-
fenses than any other man. The trouble
arose over the war office refusing % give
a capitation grant to the London Scottish
because they were unable, owing to having
13S men at the front, to put 50 per cent of
their strength in camp for the maneuvers.
Lord Wemyss. writing to Lord Lansdowne,