The Forrest City times., 1900-01-12
A STORM Is GATHERING.
The Present British Government
May be Swept Aside When
1t Breaks.
PEHT-UP DISSATISFACTION OozIHs OUT.
conservative Leaders Admit the
3ra~fty of Their Position. but
Fail to- See what Can he Done
Only Success In the Field Can
Abate the Popular CIamor.

London. Jan. 1.-THE plight of the
British arms in South Africa is over
shadow ed fer the present by the storm
which is bursting over the head of the
home government. The Manchester
speeches of Mr.. Balfour. the govern
inent leader in the house of commons.
has loosened such a torrent of COM
ment from the press and individuals of
lbs own party, that were parliament TO
reassemble to-day. il is doubtful IL the
conservatives would retain power In.
spite of their tremendous majority of
the past session.
Pent-tp Dissatisfaction.
The pent-up dissatisfaction with the
governments lack of energy in waginy
the war is no longer concealed. When
snch 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.. Balfcur is the
scapegoat, but there is a terrible rod
in pickle for the marquis of Lans-
downe, while Lord Salisbury and other
cabinet ministers will not escape un-
less a wonderful change comes over
the war situation.
They Admit Ii.
y press representative learns that
the conservative leaders privately adj
NIT the gravity of their position. but
fail to see what can be done. In the
meanwhile, successes in the field
would abate the popular clamor. Some
OF the conservative papers go SC far
as TO regret the extreme age Of the
cabinet ministers. and refer to the
cabinet as body of patriarchs In
der these circumstances. ii is Doubt
ful whether events transpiring before
the reassembling OF parlin;ent would
be powerful enough to restore conf
dence in the government ard maintain
its ajority.
Sacrifice May be Made.
There is the important alternative
that Lord Lansdowne or Lord Wei
seiey may be sacrificed II is learned
that Lord Nolseley not only disap-
proved of Lord Roberts appointment
TO the chief command of the British
oisapproval TO be generally known. 1t
is fact that Lord WoIseley 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 SCI. at
tacks on the government such as Lord
Salisbury has not had to withstand
during all the course of his political
| career.
borrowing Power Almost Exhausted.
The borrowing powers conferred up
en- 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 singular dearth of news
from all parts of the theater 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
accommodating party met with oppo-
sitinn.
Gen. Gatacre dispatched strong
force, Monday, January s, to recon
hotter Stormberg, which the Beers
were reported TO have evacuated. The
British found the burghers strongly
intrenched and returned TO Sterk-
| Stroem.