New-York tribune., 1900-11-04
THE CABINET CHANGES.
MR.. CHAMBERLAIN AND THE FOREIGN
OFFICE.
s1TrATION-THE OUTLOOK IN SOUTH
AFRICA-DU MAURIER'S BIOG-
RAPHY.
RAPHY.
fCopyright: 1900: By The New-York Trihune.l
[BY CABLE TO THE, TRIBuNE.l

Jondo- Nov 4 e a. r. The friends IF Mr.
Cham berIain are now asserting that he declined
the War Office before going to the Mediter-
ranean. 1t is not probable that strong pressure
was brought to bear upon him. 1t is believed that
only one office would have tempted him to
abandon his present position, and that was the
Foreign Office. Old Tories console themselves
for the steady increase in his political influence
by the reflection that he not asked to take
the Foreign Office They also express regret
that Mr.. Balfours power is declining Mr.. Bal
four's friends insist. however. that the Foreign
Office offered to him and declined, and that
he has been in the confidence of Lord Salisbury
from the outset. The opinion prevails in diplo-
matte circles that Lord Cromer really had the
chance of entering the Foreign Office, but de-
cided that he could be more useful in Egypt.
The appointment Of George Wyndham Chief
Secretary for Ireland is generally conceded.
Sir William Walrond's promotion to the Min
istry is regarded as foregone conclusion.
After fortnight's lu in Chinese affairs de-
tails are published of night marching and heavy
fighting by the Anglo-German force on the
Shan-Si frontier. While this is fresh proof of
the cooperation of the allies, steady drift tow
ard peace is apparent. The rumors that the I'm
perial Government has offered a large. lump
sum as indemnity still premature, but the
Powers are clearly preparing to negotiate with
the Empress without insisting upon her own
exile or the punishment of the mandarins who
obeyed her orders, The only alternative would
nave been the suspension of the Manchu
dynasty with or without change of the cap
ital The Powers have not been able to find a
substitute for the Manchu dynasty. and Russia
was not prepared to assent to the removal of the
capital from Pekng. 1t is probable that terms
VIII be made with the only effective Government
IN emma and that the indemnites will be
nnahced ny the Powers virtually lending their
cfeolt 10 large issue of bonds and providing
for international control of the customs and
taxation Bankers in European capitals expect
some settlement of this kind and they have re-
sources In Paris, Vienna and Berlin for in
fuencing diplomatic action.
While a complete scheme for the demobiliza-
tion of the army in South Africa has been pub-
lished and put in partial effect the public re-
celVes DAY by Gay accounts of hostile operations
in almost every quarter of the conquered repub-
lies. 1t is evident that the dangers from
guerilla warfare have been increased since the
lalge commanders were broken up into smaller
bands There is skirmishing everywhere, with
no decisive result. as the Beers divide and sub
divide and elude pursuit The War Office will
not abandon its policy of recalling surplus
troops, but 1t will be enforced with great de-
liberation. The volunteers and CoIonials may
count with conhdence upon eating their Christ
mas dinner at home, and possibly the Guards
may be equally fortunate; but the bulk Of the in
fantry and the mounted force is likely to winter
on the Veldt
There are strange ruclors about the author
ship Of the play Mr.. and Mrs Daventry," now
running at the Royalty Theatre. Possibly these
stories have been started for the purpose of
calling out a denial and advertising the play
which Mrs. Campbell has presented. The pro-
6uction Of this work has been convincing proof
that the censorship exercised over the theatres
by the Lord Chamberans office is not concerned
with the interests OF the public morals
Du Maurier's son, who is acting In that play ia
reported as having under consideration the plan
of writing biography of his father II had been
expected that Canon Anger, George Du Mau-
rier's intimate friend would undertake this
work; but, although he is well qualified for it.
he lacks the leisure for editing and revising the
large mass Of private correspondence. L N F.