New-York tribune., 1900-12-27
LONDON DAY BY DAY.
LORD KITCHENER NEEDS sINEws OF
IRON AND NERVES OF STEEL.
LORD ROBERTS MAY BE REWARDED WITH
AN EARLDoM AND THE ORDER
OF THE GARTER.
Copyright: 1900: BY The New-York Tribune
fRY CABLE TO TEE rprnr,zr1

OF THE GARTER.
Copyright 1900: By The New-Yorl Tribune,
tBT CABLE TO TEE TRIBUSEl
London Dec %. 6 a. m.-Iittle light IS thrown
upon the military situation in Cape Colony by
the official and press dispatches. The system Of
railway and wire communications has evidently
been thrown out of gear by the Boer invasion.
but no important town or station has been occu-
pied, and the raiders are not in sufficient force
20 accomplish any useful result There is the
worst possible weather not only for military
operations, but also for ordinary railway traffic
for the rains are incessant, the rivers are at
food and the drifts are impossible One body
Of the raiders is reported in zuurberg and an
other is moving toward Prieska, after cutting a
wide circuit, but there is no evidence that all
these rough riders in the east and west number
more than two thousand. If they are so many
The pursuit Of them is difficult when they are
ready TO break Up into small squads whenever
they are menaced with attack Lord Kitchener
needs sinews Of iron and nerves of steel in
order TO endure the incessant strain of cam
paigning OF this kind. but the force of his will
and energy is felt wherever he goes. Whatever
alarm there was in Cape Colony was dispelled
when it was known that he was personally di-
recting the operations at De Aar and Naauw-
poort.
There is e general tendency to credit the Cape
Town report that a squadron Of Yeomanry has
been entrapped by the Beers in Cape Colony.
Lord Kitchener. in reporting yesterday the re-
occupation OF Britstown by Thorneycroft's
Mounted Infantry, mentioned that the retreat
ing commanders were being followed UP. From
to-day's news it would seem that the Glamorgan
and Gloucester Yeomanry were detailed for that
purpose, and that after smart action they
were captured.
The English people will be delighted if the
Prince Of Wales see his way to accept the
invitation which. 1t is reported this morning, is
TO be extended 10 him by the New-York Yacht
Club 10 be present at the races for the Americas
Cup The Prince is enthusiastic yachtsman
and he has more than once expressed a desire
10 see Of the great yachting matches be-
tween England and America, but circumstances
may arise to prevent him leaving this country
next autumn. The Queen will not allow him to
visit Australia for the Commonwealth celebra-
tions and notwithstanding that New-York is
only a weeks voyage from London Her Majesty
may on account of her great age and increas-
ing inhrrnties, not consider it advisable that he
should again cross the Atlantic Ocean during
her lifetime.
Public interest here is centred upon the final
stage Of Lord Roberts's journey from Madeira
and Gibraltar and upon the honors which will
await him when he arrives in England. The
rumors are revived that his name will head the
New Years list of honors but dukedom seems
on; OF the question and an earldom is more
probable. with possibly the Blue Ribbon of the
Order of the Garter. The Queen has a ribbon to
spare, since no successor has been appointed to
the late Duke Of Argyll Buffers friends will be
sorely disappointed if his name does not appear
in the New Years list and White, Hunter,
French Ian Hamilton and Pole-Carew are re-
garded probable winners in the lottery of
decorations. Needless confusion has been caused
by the exchange Of formalities between Lord
Hopetoun and the Premier of the senior colony
Of Australia Barton, by virtue Of his leader
ship, was the only candidate for prime minister
OF the new commonwealth, and Sir ". Lyme was
the proper master Of ceremonies for nominating
him for the post of honor. Barton is an eminent
colonial statesman Of the class Sir Will
frid Laurier. The federation has been the dream
Of his political career. AS idealist and en-
thusiasf he has not been interested in anything
else and he has lived to see his dream carried
out as a new principle of the Empire. His name
can hardly be omitted from the New Years list
Of honors.
Gilbert Parker has started for Egypt with
Mrs. Parker, and will probably go to Dongola
and Khartoum. Literary projects and the study
Of the Egyptian administration the motives
q the journey.
Lord Edward Cecil is credited with the inten-
don OF writing a book the siege OF Mafeking
Baden-Powel has been overwhelmed with pub
fishers solicitations for a book the same sub
ject with illustrations. His own publishers have
regarded this as unlucky year for trade and
are glad 70 have il ended There was no money
in war books, and the autumn trade was broken
up by the elections and the receipts from holi-
day sales have been disappointing.
Drury Lane crowded last night with the
usual Boxing Night crowd every seat for THE
Sleeping Beauty having been sold weeks in ad-
vance. The pantomime was one Of the noisiest
and most varied ever produced. Dan Leno was
Cock Of the Walk and Sparrow. the mad juggler,
was unique among the attractions at Drury
Lane The crowd disported itself as only
Drury Lane crowd could. n. f.
DADY WILL FIGHT FOR CONTRACT.