The Van Buren press., 1900-01-13
A STORM IS GATHERING.
The Present British Government
May be Swept Aside When
II Breaks.
pEAT.UP DISSATISFACTION oOzING OUl,
Conservative Leaders Admit the
Gravity of Their Position, Hut
Fall to See What Can he Done
Only Success In the Field Can
Abate the Popular Clauior.

London, Jan. 1.-THE plight of the
British arms in South Africa is over
shadowed for the present by the storm
which is bursting over the head of the
home government. The Manchester
speeches of Mr.. Balfour, the govern
ment leader in the house of commons,
has loosened such torrent of COM
ment from the press and individuals of
his own party, that were parliament to
reassemble to-day, it is doubtful if the
conservatives would retain power III
spite Of their tremendous majority of
the past session.
Pcnt-Up Dissatisfaction.
The pent-up dissatisfaction with the
governments lack of energy in waging
the war is no longer concealed When
such ardent conservative papers as the
Times and Globe, come out boldly with
reproof, there is no knowing where
the agitation will end. The provincial
press has already taken up the cry.
For the moment, Mr.. Balfour is the
scapegoat, but there is terrible rod
in pickle for the marquis of Lans.
downe, while Lord Salisbury and other
cabinet ministers will not escape un.
less wonderful change comes over
the war situation.
They Admit II.
press representative learns that
the conservative leaders privately ad.
NIT the gravity Of their position, but
fail 10 see what can be done. In the
meanwhile, successes in the field
would abatc the popular clamor. Some
of the conservative papers go SO far
rs to regret the extreme age of the
cabinet ministers, and refer to the
cabinet as a body Of patriarchs. I'm.
der these circumstances, II Is doubt.
ful whether events transpiring before
the rcassembling Of parimcnt wolld
be powerful enough to restore conf,
dence in the government and maintain
its majority.
Sacrifice May be Made.
There Is the important alternative
that Lord Lansdowne or Lord VOL.
Selcy may be sacrificed. 1t is learned
that Lord Wolseley not only disap.
proved OF Lord Roberts appointment
to the chief command Of the British
troops in South Africa, but allowed his
disapproval TO be generally known, 1t
is a fact that Lord Wolseley knew
nothing Of the governments intention
in this respect until he saw the an.
nouncement Of the appointment in the
newspapers. Whatever ensues, the i'm.
mediate future will doubtless see at
tacks on the government such ns Lord
Salisbury has not had 20 withstand
during oil the course Of his political
career.
borrowing Power Almost Exhausted,
The borrowing powers conferred up.
on the government at the last session
of parliament are almost exhausted.
About seven and half out of the eight
millions Of treasury bills authorized
have already been issued. The large
revenues coming in will, however,
probably furnish ample funds until
parliament meets,
singular Dearth Of News.
There is a singular dearth of news
from all parts OF the theatcr Of war.
Gen. French supplements his advIces
of Tuesday by representing that Capt.
Ricardo and four troopers Of the life
guards are missing, showing that his
reconnoltering party met with oppo-
sitinn.
Gen, Gatacre dispatched strong
force, Monday, January s, to recon-
noiter Stormberg, which the Beers
were reported to have evacuated. The
British found the burghcrs strongly
intrenched and returned to Sterk-