Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-06

the colonial secretary into his way of think
ing but behind Mr.. Chamberlain stands the
premier, and if Mr.. Rhodes monkeys with
that buzz saw he will come away wiser
and sadder man. The Marquis of salisbury
has no intention of allowing the liberals TO
prove their charges that this war was be-
gun and is being carried on in the interests
of South African capitalists
No Faith in the WoIscley Prediction.
Not much credence Is attached in the
service clubs to that pretty story which
represents Lord Woseley as having predict
ed that "Bobs'' would be in BloemfoEtein
by March 10. In the first place it is no.
torious that the commander-in-chiefk knew
absolutely nothing of Lord Roberts plan Of
campaign and that there was no cousulta-
ton whatever between them in the week
that elapsed between "Bobs" appointment
and his departure from Southampton. More
over it is well known that Lord Roberts
advance was delayed for more than three
weeks owing to the chaos which he found
prevailing in the military headquarters in
Cape Town. If Lord Wolseley did predict
that Bloemfontein would be occupied on
that date in question his prescience par
takes more Of a supernatural than mill
tary character. Nor is much attention paid
to the commander-in-chief's prediction that
the British army will be in Pretoria by May
Is. The capture of the IransVaal cahtal
depends chiefly upon the measure of re-
sistance that will be offered by the Beers
themselves. People who know the charAc-
ter of the burgher pretty thoroughly are
confident that their opposition to Lord ltob-
erts' advance will be prolonged. The con-
tempt with which the Transvaal prisoners
at Cape Town treat the Orange Free state
captives shows pretty conclusvely that nc
Sudden faltering of the Free Staters is not
well regarded by President krugers coun-
trymen The Transvaalers seem to despise
the Free Staters. and they will doubtless
make a stand all the more desperate pc.
- tIa fir,,iIi " their former
"Bobs'' is of course, sure to end In Pre-
toria, but it is rash to fix the date OF his en-
try-more than to predict maJorltleS III
an American election.
I learn on excellent authority that the
government will, in all human probability,
dissolve the present parliament at the enc
of July, and that the genera electio, WIZ Il
take place at the end of August or in the
first two weeks of September: various
rumors have been flying about for months
past but those who learnt from a trus'
verify source. that the government had
then arrived at no decision were not dis
posed to treat them seriously Ihere is
reason to believe that the subJect came pc
fore the cabinet almost two weeks ago
whom President Kruger'S appeal Tor peace
was discussed by Lord Salisbury and ms
colleagues That brought TO a mead the
nroblem of the future government OF the
two republics and it was felt that nothing
could be done with so important a question
without consulting the country thereon
There can be only one response TO the APP
noaI that will be made to the electorate.
The government will, no doubt. be returned
to power with even stronger majority
than it possesses at present. w mere It's
difficulties will arise, however, VIII be with
in it's own ranks. 1t is fully anticipated
that Lord Salisbury will carry OUT What
has been his intention since ms wire
death viz, retire from active poiiucS. III
that event the leadership Will deFoiFe upon
M RaIfour Then comes the comphcated
nroblem which turns upon MI Chamoef-
lain's future. Will the colonial secretary
be content to play second iiuu,e Iot ~
other five or six years! ne VIII p!ondoiS
make a strong fight for the premiership. |
49, biS lingo peculiarities are too strong =!
for the peace-loving queen to select MIN II
any other man is available. Mr.. Chamber
la;r NAV he elevated to the head or the Tor |
eipn office. and that ought TO satisfy him. |
hnt he has a fine appreciation OF MS own
ability. and it is certain that he VIII not be !
snhord;note6 without a struggle behind the |
aneS IT is a curious comment on the |
homeless prospects of liberalism that the |
onuasition are specializing not on thelr
chances of being returned to ONCE but as |
tn what Mr. Chamberlains move will be |
when the general election arrives, as to |
how much trouble ne can Drew lof ttie eoi-
sentative party. |
The Students Raids.
The home secretary has pardoned those !
Cambridge undergraduates who We're fined /
$40 each a week ago by an unsympathetic |
magistrate for painting the town particu- !
larly bright red in honor of recent victories |
in South Africa. Strenuous pressure was |
brought to bear on the home office TO Sc
cure the pardons, for without them the |
convicted students were barred from enter