The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-11

IN the house Of commons, has locsened
such q torrent OF comment from the presa
and individuals Of his own party that were
parliament to re-assemble today II II
doubtful II the Conservatives would retain
power, In spite OF their tremendous ma
jority Of the past session. The pent-up dis
satisfaction with government lack OF en-
ergy In waEing war IL no longer concealed.
When such ardent Conservative papers ~
the Times and the Globe come out boldly
with reproof. these IS no knowing where
the agitation will end. The provincial
press has already taken UP the cry.
Balfour the scapegoat.
FOR the moment BaIfour is the scape-
eoat, but there is terrible rod In pickle
for the Marquis OF Lansdowne. while LORD
Salisbury and other cabinet ministers VIII
not escape unless wonderful chanse
comes over the war situation.
The Associated Press learns that the
Conservative leaders privately admit the
gravity Of their position, but fall to see
what can be done. In the meanwhile sue
cess in the field will abate the popular
clamor.
the Ministers Are Two OLD.
far as to regret the extreme age of the
cabinet ministers, and refer to the cabi-
net a. a body OF patriarchs. Under these
circumstances 1t IL doubtful whether
events transpiring before the reassem-
bling Of parliament will be powerful
enough to restore confidence In the gov
eminent and maintain Its majority.
woIseIey May he sacrinced.
There ID the important alternative that
Lord Lansdowne or Lord wolseley may
be sacrificed. A reporter Of the Assoc
ciated Press learns that Lord wolseley
not only disapproved Of Lord Roberts
appointment to the chief command Of the
British troops in South Africa, but al
lowed his disapproval 10 be generally
known. 1t IL fact that Wolseley knew
nothing Of the governments intention in
this respect until II made announcement
Of the appointment in the newspapers
Whatever ensues in the future win
doubtless see attacks on the government
such az salisbury has not had to with
stand during all the course Of his polit-
ical career.
Borrowing Powers Almost Exhausted
Tho borrowing powers conferred on the
government at the last session Of parlia-
mert are almost exhausted. About $780,
900 out OF Es.0oo.o0O Of the treasury bills
authorized have already been issued.
Large revenues coming in viii. however.
probably furnish ample funds Until par
lament meets.
Singular Dearth Of News.
There was singular dearth Of news
this morning from all parts of the theater
Of war. Gen. French supplements his
advices of yesterday by reporting that
Capt. Ricardo and four troopers of the
Life guards are missing. showing that
his accommodating party met with oppose
ton.
Gen. Gatacre dispatched strong force
January to reconnoiter Stormburg,
which the Beers were reported to have
evacuated. The British found the burgh-
ers strongly intrenched. and returned to
Sterkstrom.
The Sailors and Firemen's Union, of
Glasgow is trying to block the sailing
of the transport City of Rome by de-
manding increased wages.
Rumored Retirement OF Beers.
An incredible rumor comes from Cape
Town that the Beers have withdrawn
from Magersfontein. Probably this Is an
establishment of the native reports that
Gen. Cronje il sending reinforcements to
Colesburg.
Buller stiM Inactive.
The Daily Mail has the following dis
patch. dated January 8, from Freere
Camp:
with the exception of the usual she'll
ing Of the Boer position by the naval
guns, the British force was inactive.
Eight Boer camps were seen today by
q patrol along the Tugela in westerly
direction. All were quiet.
Natives say that when the British re-
connoitered near Colenso on Saturday
the Beers hurried from Springfield. This
supports the belief that Colenso was
weakened to attack Ladysmith."
Cape Boers Getting FESTIVE.
The Cape Town correspondent of the
Daily Mail, telegraphing Monday, says:
1.-THE Boer successes have been followed
by a tremendous outburst Of enthusiasm
and Boer sympathy In the western part
OF the colony. Reports from Paarl say
the whole district is made hideous at
night by bands of young men parading
in the villages and singing the Transvaal
volkslied, while the children are every
where practieing the national songs of
the republics. The following are speci-
mems of statements believed by the vest
ern Dutch:
''Buller and Rhodes are prisoners, and
1000 Beers secretly sailed and captured
Cape Town"
Stretcher Bearers to the Front.
The Durham correspondent of the
Standard. telegraphing Tuesday. says
that 100 Indian stretcher bearers started
for the front the previous night. and that
their departure was regarded in Dur
ban as indicative of a renewal Of the fight
ing.
Still Firing ON Ladysmith.
A dispatch to the Daily Telegraph dated
Monday. January 9. at noon, from Freere
camp says:
Firing from the Boer positions around
Ladysmith began early today. 1t still
continues, but the cannonading is light
axI trr1