New-York tribune., 1900-12-12
LONDON DAY BY DAY.
COMMONS CHILLED BY THE SPEECH OF
THE NEW SECRETARY OF WAR.
GLOOMY SITUATION IN SOUTH AFRICA
SILENCE OF LORD KITCHENER RE
GARDED AS oAIINoUs

SILENCE OF LORD KITCHENER RE
GARDED AS oAIINoUs.
Copyright: 1900: BY The New-YOrk Tribune.l
IBy c4BLE TO THE TRIBUNEl
london. Dec. u. a m.-There was steady
,sn of temperature in the House of Commons
Yesterday during the speech of the new secre-
tsry Of state for War. Mr wyndham
a CHEEKY optimist who could extract sun
beams from cucumbers, even in the most
soleful DAYS a year ago. when the Brit
Ssh army was meeting with reverses. But
Nr Brodrick had nothing encouraging TO
ssv IN moving the supplementary estimates
and in explaining the military situation. Sir
Charles Dixie right in describing him as
she most despondent OF ali Jobs comforters on
record The members on both sides OF the house
shivered as he went In doleful tones confess
ing the futility Of all previous estimates and
forecasts charging upon the harassing nature
Of the guerilla warfare. assuming that expendi-
tures must continue for four months on the
same scale as during the last year. declining 10
offer any assurance OF the speedy return OF vol
unteers. yeomanry and militia, and asserting
strenuously that the Ministers were not deceivng
themselves respecting the magnitude Of the work
now IN hand. The illusion created by Lord Rob
erts's announcement that the war was virtually
ended was dspelled by this pessimistic speech, In
which the army Of 210,O00 men was described
&c barassed by bands OF raiders. and required
70 continue operations with undiminished num-
bers and unrelenting force. Mr.. Brodrick proba-
blv meant to be plain spoken and straightfor-
ward but his dismal speech was followed by a
cold III in the Commons. II may have the effect
Of revving the hopes OF Kruger. whose mission
on the Continent has been complete failure.
The Unionist organs this morning endeavcr TO
extract comfort out Of Brodricks pessimistic
statement The situation is admittedly disap-
pointing and he is given credit for facing IL
manfully.
The newspapers seize the occasion OF Lord
Roberts's departure from Cape Town TO again
praise him for his skilful conduct Of the cam
paign against the Beers. Preparations are al
ready being made in this country TO give him a
great welcome on his return home, and he will
be feted in nearly all big towns. while il is pro-
posed 70 restore the French church in the little
Irish city Of Waterford in which his ancestors
Iie buried The sword OF honor which was pre-
sented TO him by the Mayor and Corporation Of
Cape Town is described a magnificent spec-
men Of the goldsmith's art. The hilt is Of IS
carat gold and the decorative work is Of the
highest character. The blade, which is OF the
finest steel, bears the names Of the Field Mar
EhaPs great successes in the campaign while on
the scabbard is the record of his chief exploits
in India.
Sir william Vernon Harcourt made judicious
speech upon the fresh estimate Of f16,000,0OO.
charging the Ministers with grossly miscalculat-
ing at every stage the of the racial war, but
declining 70 offer any opposition 10 the estimates
since y was evident that the campaign must be
fought 20 the end. He made il clear that the
Ministers win get their money votes and in
creased borrowing powers without resistance
z f1,aa
pect searching criticism Of all future arrange
nents. Respecting the Dutch colonies he con-
demned the proposals with regard TO a police
force on the score Of expense and inadequacy.
Mr.. Brodrick himself had admitted that police
force of 10000 men had not been raised. and that
there was no immediate prospect of diminishing
the strength Of the army of occupation but,
strangely enough, he had tried TO find consola-
ton in the magnitude Of the efforts made by
Spain for the conquest OF Cuba, and the cost Of
the protracted war conducted by the American
Army for the pacihcation Of the Philippines.
Army officers shook their heads yesterday over
the continued silence Of Lord Kitchener respect
ing De Wet and We're inclined to bet heavily
upon his escape from the trap. The view ex-
pressed by officers Of the Guards who had Joined
IN the pursuit Of De Wet further north that
n had buried his guns and stores, had given
orders 10 ms men 10 meet al some point nun
dreds of miles distant, and then allowed them
10 separate and go of in twos and threes. These
tactics, the Guards officers asserted. had been
tried with success many times, and il i'm
practicable for British columns. operating in
lines from twenty TO forty miles long. TO prevent
the escape Of stragglers The opinion was eX-
pressed by more sanguine experts that Lord
kitchener's silence was due 10 the long distance
Of Kn0Xs columns from telegraph wires and
possibly 10 De Vets retirement 10 Wepener
where they were hopeful that he would be head
I'd of by fresh relays from Bloemfontein and
Taurete5,~-