The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-25
III Pretoria Falls by May rs, as VOL.
seley Predicts, Salisbury May
Appeal to Electors in June.
EXODUS OF SOCIETY WOMEN
"HO FOR THE CAPE, low THE CRY
OF MANY PEOPLE.
London Dressmakers, Therefore, Bus,
Making Gowns Suitable for the
south African Climate.

Copyright. 1900. by the Associated Press)
LONDON, March A.-Three questions in
volving endless controversy and specula-
ton have been rife during the week. They
are the possibility of the dissolution Of
Parliament in the summer, imperial fed
Grafton and the method of treatment of the
so-called rebel prisoners in South Africa.
So far as Parliament is concerned, II might
as well dissolve at once, for ell the interest
that is being taken in it's proceedings.
Many apparently inspired articles appear
forecasting dissolution at various dates,
but as a matter of fact the existence of
the present House depends entirely on the
progress of British arms in South Africa.
If they meet with quick success there will
be, 1t is thought, an early dissolution. If
the war drags on Lord Salisbury will retain
power till the last moment allowed by the
British Constitution. With less than a
year In which to go to the country. it is
only natural that the government will seize
the most opportune moment, but no men,
Der of the Cabinet believes that such a mo-
ment has yet come within the limits OF rea-
sonable determination, in spite of the fact
that the commander-in-chief of the forces,
Lord Wolseley. is credited with prophecy
ing that Lord Roberts will be in Pretoria
May Is. If the forecast of the almost for
gotten chief commander of the British
army should prove correct, it would not be
at all unlikely that Lord Salisbury may
appeal to the electors in June. But several
of the Cabinet minister's, including Lord
Lansdowne, the secretary of state for war,
have small hope that the war will be over
before the fall of this year.
With such a diversion of opinion prevail
ing in the best informed circles regarding
the duration of the conflict, 1t is evidently
futile to propnesy regarding the tenure of
the present government. The latter is OBJ
viously dependent on the former. Lord
Salisbury has not any intention of appeal
ing to the voters until the British arms
triumph in South Africa, and no one of any
importance has yet been brave enough to
declare over his own name when such an
event is likely to be accomplished. Hence,
the guesses at the date of the dissolution
of Parliament are scarcely worth repeating,
though, by reason of their number and
variety, some of them are almost bound TO
be correct. When the general election
comes it can scarcely fail to return the
present administration to power, unless be-
tween this time and that period some mir
acle effects the cohesion of the disinte-
grated Liberal party. So disintegrated does
tn1S party appear 10 De tndC Slr EuNdTO
Grey, the shining light of the Rosebery
faction, found 1t necessary this week, when
speaking at the City Liberal Club, London,
TO protest that internal dissension was no
just cause for the death of the basic Lib
eral principles.
The question of colonial prisoners. from
being the subject of cable messages ex-
changed between Lord Salisbury and Pres
ident Kruger, has sprung into general dis
cussion. In this connection it is understood
that President Kruger set the ball rolling
by demanding that colonial insurgents and
British subjects Communicated by the
Beers should, when captured, be treated as
prisoners of war or else reprisals would be
taken on the British prisoners at Pretoria.
Lord Salisbury replied, saying he would
deal with the rebels as seemed fit and
would hold President Kruger personally
responsible for the treatment of the Pre-
toria prisoners, whereupon President kru-
ger is reported to have rejoined that he
would hold Lord Salisbury personally re-
sponsible for the rebels or something of
that nature. But on all sides 1T is being
discussed what should be done with the in
Surgents captured by the British. "A COM
mission of British judges to go out to the
Cape is talked Of, though this is scarcely
likely to happen.
The predominating feeling seems to favor
the policy of ~leniency now being carried
out under Lord Roberts's direction, In spite
of the fact that both through cable dis
patches from South Africa and letters from
English readers in the newspapers there
has been a bitter outcry against allowing
the insurgents TO go scot free. But the
sober-minded newspapers are convinced of
the fact that the main objective is a peace
full. prosperous South Africa under British
rule. and that vengeful justice will not
tend towards the accomplishment Of this.
They endeavor to allay harsh criticism Of
the present methods: but; nevertheless,
now that British territory has been prac-
tically regained and the Orange Free State
is nominally annexed, the question of the
treatment of the insurgents forms one of
the most important questions upon which
both British and South African opinion
seem hopelessly divided.
Mr.. Harry C~avendish, a nephew of the
Duke of Devonshire and a w~ell-known ex-
plorer, who was formerly so devoted to
Edna May, the American actress, has fall
en- a victim of a fair-haired girl of the
stage who is under sixteen years of age.
She Is Nine Sievening. and took a small
part in theatricals. The girls parents,
though poor, had scruples about sanction
ing her engagement to Mr.. Cavendish, on
account of the rumors circulated about his
many affairs of the heart, but they finally
consented, and Mr.. Cavendish went out to
fight his country's battles in South Africa,
after settling $0,000 on his fiancee in case
of his death, and arranging that If he is
not killed within a year and is still in
South Africa she is to go out to him and
marry him there. 1t is London's parallel
for the Stephanie-Lonyay romance, with
the roles reversed.
Queen Victoria contemplates publishing
another series of her diaries. the profits
to go TO the Mansion House war fund,
which her Majesty's action will doubtless
swell to a large extent. The Queen Is
quoted as saying at Windsor this week hat
she regretted her age prevented her from
doing mulch more she would like to do, and
that If she were only twenty years younger
she would visit Australia.
A record fur sale occurred in London this
week. when a Partisan purchased IL the
open market a black Siberian fox skin.
forty-eight by eight inches, raying for it
the sum of ESQ $500. When. dressed 1t
will cost its wearer about $500.
III FOR THE CApEw