The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-12-01
PUBLIC ACHAST.
Boer Success in South Africa
Startles England.
The Situation is Now Regarded
as Most Serious.
HOPE IN KITCHENER.
Lord Roberts Was Too Much of
a Humanitarian.
Many FiIipinOs Pouring Into
London and Paris.

London, Dec. 1-South Africa once
more monopolizes attention. The public
is aghast at General DeWet's recent
success at Dewetsdorp. where he cap
tured the British garrison of 400 men
and two guns, as already cabled to the
Associated Press in detail.
rs this guerilla warfare?" the Lib
eraI papers ironically inquire.
Why" is asked on all sides, ''are
these troops coming home? The ova-
tions to the victors strike even those
participating in them as hollow COM
pared with the events transpiring at the
seat of war. Parliament not being in
session, the public Is not favored with
any insight into the war Offices op1n-
ions and plans. But it is credited with
varying ideas, from philosophic indiffer-
ence to acute panic. representative
of the Associated Press interviewed one
of the responsible heads of departments
and ELECTED the following views:
Undoubtedly the situation in South
Africa is serious. 1t resembles in many
respects Americas trouble with the
FilipinoS. We can not expect to crush
out opposition for some time to come.
We are not Withdrawing troops indlS-
criminately nor are we Indifferent to the
gravity of the problem. The household
cavalry has come because heavy cav
airy is practically useless. The infantry,
too, is Of comparatively small service
We rely upon two things to bring about
peace First the transformation so far
possible of all the British troops in
the disturbed districts into mobile cav
airy and mounted infantry. Second,
through the tablishment of a police
force. Until the latter gets in working
order even the cavalry will not be able
to accomplish much. The police force
should be similar to the Irish constab-
ulary, only all the men will be mounted.
When that body is organized 1 believe
a change will quickly come over the sit
uation."
The Canadian officers who returned
here from South Africa this week ex-
pressed no surprise at the renewal of
Boer successes. They only wondered
htat they had not been greater. The
Canadians, however, are unanimous in
expressing the belief that General
Kitchener is the right man to deal with
the form of opposition now faced by the
British in. South Africa Hardly any of
the returning officers expressed criticism
of Lord Roberts, even in the face of the
recent reyerSeS. The general feeling
towards the field marshal is well put
by the Sun of this city. 1t says:
Lord Roberts is a brilliant dashing
soldier, and has displayed consummate
ability. But, after all, we fear he is
too much of humanitarian for the
work now to be done Once Kitchener
gets to work on the Beers nothing will
stop him.
There is a noticeable incursion of Fill
pinos into London and Paris. The re-
port, subsequently denied, that AgOn-
clio, AguinaldO's agent in Europe, was
contemplating going to Hong Kong to
reorganize there the Filipino transport
and resupply the F'ilipinos with muni-
tions of war, has given rise to the belief
that the Filipinos in Europe are con-
templating new campaign A repre-
sentative of the Associated Press has
interviewed one of the most prominent
members of the European junta, who
has just returned from Paris and Mad
rid. He said:
I'VE are planning no new campaign.
go to Hong Kong to give the F'ilipinos
a further supply of munitions of war.
The fact that Agoncillo has just leased
a home in Paris shows he intends to
remain there and watch events. The
reports of our committees at Kobe, Yo-
kohama, Maco, Batavia, Hong Kong
and Bankok show they are all working
we'll This is also evidenced by the fact
that ten thousand rifles were smuggled
into Manila last month. The war is no
nearer an end than ever. The Filipino
resources are still great, as can be
judged by the fact that Aguinaldo is
continuing to keep and feed 5000 Span
iah prisoners. We are deeply diSap-
painted at the reelection of Mr.. Nc
Kinley Although our agents in the
United States never led US to believe
Mr. Bryan would actively help us, yet
we relied on the strength of the anti
imperialists in the United States. We
are still anxious to come to an under
standing and there are indications that
Mr.. Mckinley may compromise. It is
clear that Judge Taft goes beyond his
instructions, and that Mr.. Mckinley is
prepared to give greater concessions
than Judge Taft. It is true that a large
number of Filipinos are fiocking to
European countries. At least so are now
in London, but not with the idea of
renewed propa ganda. The junta is con-
tent to await till the Americans are tired
of losing officers and men by death
from sickness. We hope and believe
better times are in store"
Sir Thomas Upton recently has been
considering the proposal to send the
Shamrock into American waters for
series of trial races with the Shamrock
II However. while he is anxious to give
the new yacht every chance he feels
pledged to the Glasgow exhibition corn
mittee to race the older boat in the in
ternational match which the committee
has arranged to take place on the Clyde
and he has decided to leave the decision
To Mr. George I. Watson, who has de-
signed the new challenger for the Amer
ica's CUP. Therefore, it is improbable
that both boats will cross the Atlantic
as Mr.. Watson only desired to see how
the new and old yachts compare and he
believes this can be done on the Clyde.
The only alterations yet made in the
Shamrock II are to replace her corroded
plates, improve her Sheer plans and re-
duce her draught Is inches, so improV-
ing her chances under the new British
rule (preparing) five which will not now
be put into execution until the trial
races of the Shamrock II have been sail
ed
Mr.. Joseph H. Choate, the United
States ambassador, Thursday evening,
at the Thanksgiving dinner given at the
Hotel Cecil under the auspices Of the
American society in London. referred
jocular1y TO ''long-eared' reporters,
which has evidently not been considered
by the English press to be as humorous
as intended, for the papers dismiss the