The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-02-18

Thk MORNlNu
IS not IN in spite OF all the alarming
reports. l suppose he win die some day,
ana there win possibly be great disor-
der But. until this occurs, | fail TO see
what Russia can effect II the move
m,nt Is ms important as represented,
think Il tar likeller that she intends
to make a demonstration of the
strength that might be brought 10 bear
upon some minor concessions to be
asked for ny Russia hereafter"
Tho opinion OF this official and those
OF tho rajorlty ot persons accurately
informed is that Russia's move is merc.
ly one OF the tner points OF the diplo-
matte game and that she has no more
idea II forcing a war with Great Brit
ain thar she has OF forcing war upon
the United states.
So, while It appears that International
c,ations are really not threatened With
any serious break. it also appears that
Russia is Ikoly to get whatever she
asks for. within reasonable diplomacy.
in the ntar future. Nothing is more
pa;ept from the conversation OF the
cabinet ministers and officials than the
desire. to conciliate and not over.valuc
minor concessions, However, Il must
not be inferred that Great Britain In
tends to allow herself to be hullied into
granting anything asked for, and Il is
interesting to note in this connection
that the channel squadron, consisting
OF eight battleships and other craft. Is
due in the neighborhood Of Gibralter
February %
The renewed naval activity has had
almost as much to do with the return
Of national confidence as Lord Roberts
evident grasp OF the campaign. While
the nation is still looking aSkance at
the new military programme intro
duced this week, there Is genuine graft
ficatIcn at learning that the reports
that hundreds of thousands of tons Of
Welsh smokeless coal has been bought
for a foreign nation are untrue. There
is no substitute for that breath Of EN-
pire.' II is almost as important as
smokeiess powder: and We're the supply
to be seriously diminished 1t would af-
feet Great Britain's power OF defence
tremendously.
The navy's activity is also evidenced
in its progress with wireless telegra-
phy. Experiments viii shortly occur to
ascertain whether il is possible to COM
municate by this means between ships
and balloons The Importance OF such
test. in ascertaining the whereabouts
OF an enemy and countless other points
OF warfare, cannot be overestimated.
9 o
The queens personal interest In the
men lighting her battles is being con-
stantly Illustrated by her visits to Net
tley hospital and the private houses
where lie officers and men who were
wounded in South Africa. A few days
ago her majesty stood God-mother to
the child of majors WIFE whose hus-
band was killed at Glands Laagto, and
has now summoned to Osborne Bugler
Dunn, aged Is. OF the First Royal Dub
lin E,,tefIaaru t-hn ,t-oC Tho fret 20 oroa,
the Tugela river. though the men OF the
regiment tried to keep him back While
running with the soldiers, holding his
bugle in his right hand, Dunn sounded
the advance" bullet struck llis arm
and the bugle fell
The boy Immediately lifted II with his
left hand and repeated the call. He
was brought to Nettlay hospital and
was visited there by Prin ,ess Christian
and Princess Henry Of Battenberg, who
asked the boy what he would like the
queen TO 10 for him. lie replied: Il
hope her majesty will send me back to
the front. I'm to have a medal and
three bars because was in three en-
My father has only two
bars to his medal"
The lads father. a sergeant, returned
to the front this week, having recov-
cred from his wound.
On his arrival at Portsmouth young
Dunn was tenderly borne on the
shoulders Of delighted DOpulace.