The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-08-01
british OVERSTRAINED.
I'm Many Events Transporting in Which
They Have Vital Interest.
GARNET DISCUSSED PRESENT SITUATION
Foreigners Are Undoubtedly BEING
rsed ns Hostages to Prevent the
Advance of Allies on PelSin.

New York. August 3l.-What is ordi-
nsrily the silly season of London Journal
lem is approached this year with many
signs of nsensibility on the part of the
faded and overwrought public. says the
: ondon correspondent OF the Tribune. The
unexpected death of the Duke of Sake
rob,lrg. the always popular sailor prince
in England, although he preferred TO end
his career in a minor German court, was
announced on the day when an address
parliament on the monstrous crime of the
italian assassin. which has excited indg-
nation and adherence through the world
and the closing scenes of the war in South
Africa with simultaneous operations in as
many as Ave fields are passing almost
without observation and certainly with
out critical knowledge, because public at
tenton has been overstrained by uncer-
taintles and anxieties in China. One star
tlng surprise has followed another in
this ammo mirabili until newspaper read
ers have grown listless and Indifferent
witnesses 10 current history.
The campaign in South Africa is now
closely connected with China. for the
speedy surrender of the Beers will en-
able the British government to take a
more decisive line in the impending con-
Aict than 1t has been following. There is
probably no truth in the current report
that Lord Roberts has telegraphed 10
7 hut xut H.,
speedily brought to an end for the war
office has a remarkable talent for keep
ing its secrets and Lord Roberts is not
In the habit of forecasting events. There
is, however, a strong conviction among
the members Of parliament that the close
of hostilties is in sight.
Only about 1000 burghers, with SIN
gle gun, are reported officially as having
surrendered to General Hunter in the
Caledon valley. but the Harrismith and
Vrede commanders will probably oe
brought in with the remaining artillery.
The number of prisoners is not likely to
exceed 5000 since there are many de-
sertions The collapse of the Free State
forces Will be complete when General
Dewet and Mr.. Steyn are surrounded and
compelled to surrender and to General
Botha has been credited the intention of
giving NJ the fight when his allies are
dispersed.
Lord Roberts has recalled General Ham
itou's column to Pretoria either TO rein
force Colonel Brentwood or TO relieve
General Baden Powell and General
French is either hating at Middleburg
until Sir Butler can send division
northward through Ermelo. or is pushing
on 10 Koomatipoort General Baden
Powell aud Lord Methuen have an enemy
in considerable force to fight west of Pre-
fart. n
until he is caught. but there is a clearing
prospect for speedy close of hostilites
IN the Transvaal and the release of a
large British army for service in China
The British cabinet met yesterday at
short notice and without doubt dis
cussed the new aspect of the Chinese
question This is the Use made of the
foreign LEGATIONS and refugees as host
ages This fact has been blurted out by
III Hung Chang. and is clearly stated in
dispatch received from Rome, where
the Chinese government is expected to or
der the foreigners to leave Pekin at once
II an advance to the capital be attempted
Whatever may be the view of the state
department at Washington, the officials
A mere are convinced that the Chinese gov
4 eminent under the guise of protection Of
4 iered TO the legations. is seeking to hold
back the allied forces until terms of peace
edn DC seJtleu on basis of hnanclal IN
IDENTITIES. The legations will be exposed
TO an attack from regular troops or from
the Boxers if the allied army advances
4 from Tien Tsin
The Chinese have GOO hostages. whose
blood will be declared to be on the heads
Of tho advancing battalions. and hence II
VIII be dangerous for an army to march
on Pek1n until the foreigners have been
rescued from their perilous position.
Press dispatches yesterday were mea'
ger the most important point being the
announcement on Chinese authority that
the legations were safe on July "a. The
situation is one which requires firm ac-
non and sound judgment. The drouth en-
soles the allied army to move toward
rekin during season when the district
generally flooded but the Chinese gov
eminent is protecting itself against ag-
sressive action by exposing 500 foreigners
% the menace of fatal attack and
meanwhile is ordering up relnforcements
rom various provinces. Including the
black Flags, the worst ruffans and Grim
hsls in the empire
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