Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-07-12


vice in China-The Resignation of Lord
Wemyss and Col. Eustace BaIfour.
Copyrighted, 1900, by The Associated Press.
London, Eng, July Z. Truly Great
Britain is the land of sport. British
soldiers are fighting barbarous enemy
in the far East, in dramatic endeavor
to save the lives of some of their fellow
couutrymen and maintain their ooun-
try's prestige; British soldiers are en-
gagged in similar task in Ashanti.
where British officers, women and chil-
dren are in danger Of being massaored
by revolted sayages, and quarter of
million Britishers are still graphing
with the stupondous military and civil
difficulties that must ne overcome be.
fore South Africa is pacified. Yet, at
home, racing, cricket, running rowing.
polo, tennis and athletic contests Of all
descriptions hold practically undimin-
ished sway over public interest 1t is
true that Henley Week, as a social oc-
casion, was more SHINY attended than
for years past, and the gorgeous sum-
mer 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 row.
| ing, or in the interest Of those who
watch Henley for lite sporting rather
than for its social features. The war
and the weather were chiefly RESPONSE
BILE for society's absence from the great
river carnival.
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,
Picadilly. formerly commander OF the
royal yacht Osborne and a well. known
clubman. attended u concert at the
Astors without an Invitation, is making
a great commotion in London society.
and threatens to seriously Affect Mr..
Astor's position therain. IL sne;us that
, Capt. Milne was dining at the house of
: n well known lady. who asked him to
go with her party 10 the Astor ooncert.
This is daily done in London. and
Capt. Milne unhesitatingly accepted.
On arriving, Mr.. Aston, instead of
shaking hands with the captain. asked
the latter his name Milre told him,
and said that Lady - brought him
| that he had not the pleasure OF bis &C.
quaintance. requested him to leave.
! and added that he would insert notice
! in the newspapers. Capt. Milne retired
| in confusion, and from the Naval and
Military Club, the same night. sent
F! Mr.. Astor letter Of apology, and ex-
pressed the hope that he would allow
| the matter to drop. In spite of this,
Mr.. Astor, in his paper, the next after
noon, inserted the paragraph as called
| to The Associated Press at the time.
! Capt. Mines many influential friends,
| who include the Duke of York, are
| furious. tine Duke and other naval OIL
GERS regarding Mr.. Astor's conduct as
an insult to their profession, as well as
to the personal friend, whose position
| in London society is unquestioned. The
members of the Naval and Military
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, ard society is
awaiting the next move.
Lord Roberts declination to allow
TROOPS to be withdrawn from South
Africa for service in China said to
have come about this way. The Secre-
tary OF State for War, Lord Lansdowne,
cabled Lord Roberts, asking if be could
spare division. and Roberts replied
Eyes, Lord Lansdowne then selected
q
| 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 should accompany
the division he was preparing, adding
that, if an army corps were needed, he
would like to go himself. These recon-
mendations put Lord Lansdowne In an
awkward fix. Before he answered Lord
| Roberts suggestions, the latter heard
| from private sources that none of his
seasoned lieutenants were to go. but
that "warriors whu had fattened on the
| f1eshpots of the city, were coming out
to take all commands in the expedition,
whereupon the little man promptly
wired London that it was impossible
| to send any troops at all out of South
| Africa, his previous offer being based
on imperfect Information, whereuEon
Lord Roberts army rejoiced, and the
| War Office was reluctantly obliged to
abandon scheme whereby it was
hoped TO .nollify many distinguished
peqce. soldiers and their relations.
| There is no definite confirmation of
this, but it is told with considerable
circumstantiality.
The resignation Of Lord We,nyss, the
hunurdIy Culohols WI GuSbhtb
| Balfour, the commanding officer OF the
crack London Scottish Volunteers, as
result of their desire to Protest
against the governments treatment of
| the volunteers in the service. has
created 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 defences than any other man.
The trouble arose over the War Office
refusing to give capitation grant to
the London Scottish Volunteers be-
cause they were unable, owing to
having 1873 men at the front, to put SO
per cent OF their strength in camp for
the mannuvres. Lord Wemyss, writing
to Lord Lansdowne, frankly tells him
he has ignored the original intention
of the volunteer force, and has changed
its character and constitution.