New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-11-13
LONDON DAY BY DAY
TRAINING THE BRITISH ARMY IN
SOUTH AFRICA
tCopyright 1900. BY The New-York Tribune
LnY CABLE To TIE TRIRUNEl

tnr CABLE To TRIBUNEl
London. Nov. H. 6 a m-War news fro,o
South AFRICA increases in rank and variety
when the public interest in It has lapsed from
sheer WEAKNESS. There are fresh details Of eight
or ten minor actions and skirmshes all the wav
from Orange River to Lydenburg All these az
fairs more spirited and have more local
color and human interest than the openine
episodes OF the campaign of a year ago but
the correspondents are no longer on the ground
TO describe them. and the public here has lost
heart for recttals even of the gallantry Of the
British soldiers The Beers, while fighting with
renewed courage all along the line are every
where unsuccessful, unless the censor sup
presses anything that is unpleasant One Of the
most brilliant incidents is the moonlight charge
Of mixed body OF cavalry and infantry near
Ly6eaburg. when the Beers were taken by sur
prise and sabred. General Piumer has also
repUlsed with ease sharp Boer attack
The conclusion that may fairly be drawn from
this revival Of hostilities is that the British
army is now thoroughly alert. Injured TO service
remarkably mobile and more than a match for
Boer wtles and stratagems The Beers are now
outmaneeuYred and surprised, and the British
caEnot be entrapped. even by De Wet. Much is
said in England about the necessity for revolu-
tionizing the War Office and transforming the
whole system of military training Too little
stress is laid upon the fact that an army Of over
two hundred thousand men is now having In
South Africa the most strenuous possible train
ing in the art of war.
Lord Salisbury has advised the Queen to take
the unusual step Of summoning Parliament to
meet in the last month of the year. The an
rouncement. however, occasions little surprise
as II has been generally understood that owing
10 the prolongatiCn Of hostilities in South Africa
the Government would be badly in want of
money before the usual date. early in February
when, the country had been led to believe the
new Parliament would be called together. The
Chancellor of the EXchequer's initial estimate Of
f1000000O. framed a year ago has already been
many times exceeded His latest estimate pre-
pared in the course Of last summer. amounted
10 about f1O,000,000. 1t was based. however,
upon the supposition that by September the
resistance of the Beers would have been com
pletely crushed and the bulk Of the British
troops enabled to return home. Sir Michael
Hicks -Beach's expectations have not been full
filled. and it will be found necessary TO seek
further supplies from Parliament next month.
The most conservative estimate at which the
ultimate cost Of the Boer war is now put IS the
sum Of f1OO0O00 600
DR.. Morrison's statement of the terms which
the Powers have agreed to press upon China as
the basis of preliminary treaty almost the
same as those informally approved a month
ago. Mr.. Conger's excellent proposal that China
should pledge herself to dismiss Immediately
officials within whose Jurisdiction outrages on
foreigners should be committed has. however
been accepted in modified shape. Germany
will be pleased 10 hear Of the erection Of the
monument TO her murdered Minister.
The transfers OF Cabinet officers were regis
tered at the Council Windsor yesterday and
the Foreign Office turned over to Lord
Lansdowne
More interesting incidents of the day were the
reception Of General Butler by the Duke Of
Connaught, Lord Wolseley and other associates
az Military Headquarters. and the departure
of the DuK@ II York's Guard Of Honor for Aus
tralia. General Butler was recognized by the
crowds in the streets and loudly cheered as he
drove with Lady Audrey to the War Office and
his welcome inside most cordial. He was
not received a conqueror bat as a sturdy
soldier who had done his best and had properly
confessed that he had rightly lost the chief COM
mand- The -mbarkation Of the picked force Of
guardsmen. militia and volunteers for Austria
liza excited great enthusiasm. It was a fresh
sign that imperial interests now dominate the
English Administration and that advantage
VIII be taken # every opportunity for tightening
the bonds uniting the Colonies with the mother
country.
The Society Of American Women increased the
strain Of gayety yesterday by holding its
first luncheon for the season at Princes. 1t was
a brilliant and enjoyable affair. Mrs. Griffin pre-
sided with her usual grace. and among those
present We're Mrs. George Alexander, Mrs.
George H. Boughton Miss Lena Ashwell and
Miss Ray Rockman.
The Yerkes Syndicate Is now represented in
London by Mr. Davis but Mr.. Loudenback is
expected On Wednesday, and important develop
ments VIII speedily follow in carrying out the
project tor the construction OF the new under
ground electric railway from Charing Cross 70
Hampstead.
Commissioner Richard Young, of New-Y York.
who started last spring Journey round the
wCrld, has returned to London with Mrs. Young.
after serious adventure He was wrecked in
the Sea Of Marmora after long journey
through Russia. his ship being down in col
lition and the passengers being taken off by
Greek vessel lie continued his journey through
Palestine and Egypt and is now homeward
bound TO New-York. in excellent health.