New-York tribune., 1900-11-26
CRITICISM OF ROBERTS.
WANT THE AFRICAN WAR SNrTFFED
OUT IN SILENCE.
THE UNITED STATES AND THE PORTE
MANY NEW YEAR CONSOLATION
PRIZES EXPECTED

/
MANY NEW YEAR CONSOLATION
PRIZES EXPECTED.
copyright; 1900: BY The New-York Tribune
[BY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNEl
London. Nov. &c. a. m-Brtish veterans in
comfortable corners of military clubs in London
sum I'D the situation in South Africa In their
own way They consider that the war has been
over for some time; but that truth has not been
recognized by Lord Roberts. since he continues
TO issue long bulletins day after day, which are
posted in the War Office and transferred to the
newspapers. Some of the most astute officers
in London regard this as a serious mistake
! They assert that Lord Roberts should have pro-
! claimed state of peace and returned to Eng
land Komatipoort was occupied.
! They state that his policy will be abandoned as
soon as General Kitchener succeeds to the com
! 1nand. There will be a proclamation affirming
that the Dutch territories completely occu-
pied and at peace. and there will be a suspen-
sion Of the daily bulletins from headquarters
recording petty skirmishes and insignificant acts
of brigandage, which cannot be classed as in
cidents of real warfare. These veterans whose
opinion l am quoting, predict that there will be
an immediate shrinkage of news from South Af-
rica when Kitchener is in the saddle There will
be an unbroke!; silence from headquarters and
be recorded in the daily papers Such police
work remains will pass without observation
and the Beers themselves will be convinced that
the is at end when they perceive that
there is no longer any notice taken of what
goes on there. Comments and forecasts come to
me from trustworthy military sources which
represent at least a growing feeling of impa-
tience among the veterans over the continuance
Of campaign of which the whole country is
weary unto death.
proclamation has already been printed ap-
pointing General Kitchener to the commander
ship in chief of the British forces in South
Africa in succession to Lord Roberts, but owing
TO the postponement OF the departure Of the
Field Marshal for home, 1t has not yet been
made public. The proclamation will be issued
Immediately Lord Roberts fix a definite
date for his return. 1t is expected that he will
relinquish the command about December 20,
and in event of Lord Methuen not coming back
until the operations finished 1t is said that
General Kitchener will receive the temporary
rank of General in addition to the substantive
one of Lieutenant General
II statement that the Treasury objects to a
request by Lord Roberts for twenty thousand
more troops the ground OF expense asEo0ld lie
verified. there will be a howl of Indignation from
all parts of the country. The average English
man has the utmost faith in Lord Roberts, and
would prefer to have his wishes carried out, no
matter what the cost might be-
Reports that the American battIeship Ken
lucky will make a hostile demonstration at
smyrna IN order to force the Porte to grant an
exequatur for a United States Consul at Har-
poot are not supported by the information which
have received from Constantinople That
would be an utteI,v inadequate cause for naval
action The enforcement of the payment Of a
general indemnity would be more to the point
But II is well nigh certain that the State De-
partment will not order the commander of the
hehtucky TO offer any menace to the Turkish
government have excellent authority for the
statement that the outstanding claims for dam
ages brought by the American Government will
De settled whenever the Porte can combine some
other transaction with this indemnity There Is
an oriental way Of paying claims without SEEM
ing to do it and without accepting the awkward
principle Of responsibility. The Sultf is anx-
iouA to settle the American claims and to bring
PACK the United States Minister to Constantine
PIE III place OF the charge daffaires now in
chaFee OF the Embassy but he Is reluctant to
establish precedent which will expose him in
HaDlltles TO every European Government for
massacres in Armenia and Asia Minor
Ihls mornings newspapers are pleased by the
eAcelIent behavior Of the crowds that filled the
streets Of Paris to welcome Mr. Krtiger. The
correct attitude Of the French Government was
quite in accordance with expectations, but the
absence or any serious attempt on the part of
the people to show their hostility to England has
occasloned a pleasant surprise.
The New Years list of honors will be q long
one, for it will include consolation prizes as we'll
as deserved rewards for service in South Africa |
General Buller is likely to get peerage and his
DeNohshre neghbors have already decided upon !
the TILE, Lord Butler Of Ladysmith" The re-
tiring Home Secretary will also have a peerage |
Lord Strathcona was welcomed Yesterday by /,
his London friends
The Queen will hold a council at Windsor to-
day, ana the week promises to be a lively one.
The reception Of the Household Cavalry will be
4 most interesting military incident and there
viii be an important series of public banquets, |
md many public men are booked for speeches |
Of various kinds 7 N F
ROBERTSS REQUEST REFUSED.
London. Nov. 20.-'We understand" says The
Daily Express this morning, that Lord Rob |
erts recently requested the Government to send
wenty thousand regulars to South Africa to re-