The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1900-01-12
TORRENT OF NJ

Plight in south Africa O~ver-hadowed by
the storm at homs.
LONDON, Jan. 1.-THE plight of Brit
ish arms in South Africa is overshad-
owed TO, the present by the storm
which is bursting over the head of the
home government. The Manchester
speeches of Mr.. Balfour, the govern
ment leader in the house Of commons,
has loosened such q torrent of comment
from the press and individuals of his
own party that were parliament to re.
assem- BILE today, it is doubtful if the
Conservatives would retain power, in
spite OF their tremendous majority Of
the past session. The pent-up dissatis-
faction withrthe governments lack of
energy in waging the war Is no longer
concealed. When such ardent Conser-
vative papers as The Times and Globe
come out boldly with reproof, there is
no knowing where the agitation will
end. The provincial press has already
taken up the cry. For the moment,
MI. Balfour is the scapegoat, but there
is a terrible rod in pickle for the Mar
quis of Lansdowne, while Lord Sails
bury and other cabinet ministers will
not escape unless q wonderful change
comes over the war situation.
See No Way to Help 1t.
A reporter of the Associated Press
learns that the Conservative leaders
privately admit the gravity of their
position, but fail to see what can be
done. In the meanwhile the successes
in the field will abate the popular
clamor. Some of the Conservative
papers 60 80 far as to regret the ex-
treme age of the cabinet ministers and
refer to the cabinet as q body of patri-
archs. Under these circumstances it is
doubtful whether events transpiring
before the reassemb bling of parliament
would be powerful enough to restore
confidence in the government and
maintain its majority. There is the
important alternative that Lord Lans-
downe or Lord Wolseley may be sacri-
feed. A representative Of the Associ-
ated Press learns that Lord Wolseley
not only disapproved Of Lord Roberts
appointment to the chief command of
the British troops in South Africa, but
allowed his disapproval to be generally
known. 1t is the fact that Lord Wolse-
ley knew nothing Of the governments
intention in this respect until he saw
the announcement Of the appointment
in the newspapers. Whatever ensues,
the future will doubtless see attacks on
the government such as Lord Salisbury
has not had to Withstand during all the
course Of his political career.
Authorized Loan About Exhausted.
The borrowing powers conferred on
the government at the last session of
parliament are almost exhausted.
About W and q half out Of the eight
millions of treasury bills authorized
have already been issued. The large
revenues coming in will, however,
probably furnish ample funds until
parliament meets.
There is q singular dearth of news
from all parts Of the theater Of war.
General French supplements his ad.
vices Of Tuesday by reporting that Cap.
tain Ricardo and four troopers of the
Life Guards are missing, showing that
his accommodating party met with OPP
position. General Gatacre dispatched
q strong force Monday, Jan. 8, to recon-
noitre Stormberg, which the Beers were
reported to have evacuated. The Brit
ish found the burghers strongly en-
'trenched and returned to Sterkstroom.
The sailors and fremen's union of
Glasgow is trying to block the sailing
Of The transport City of Rome, by de.
handing an increase of wages.