New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-05-20
NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS
LONDON.
BADEN-PowELL Is THE HERO of THE
DAY
ROBERTs's STRATEGY ALMOST LOST sIGzr
OF IN THE GLOW OF ROMANCE
SURROUNDING MAFEKING

ICopy-ight: 1890 BY The New-Tors Tribsnei
lBV CABLE To TIE rHIBUNE-l
London. Nav 1a-The apathy with which the
development Of lord ROberts's campaign has
been followed by the English public contrasts
strongly with the carnival scenes OF rejoicing
witnessed last night in the streets or London
when the tidings OF the relief OF Mafeking We're
announced The explanation lies in the fact
that British strategy appeals 20 the Judgment
and the rescue Of an heroic garrison by
mysterious relief column whose leader is not
known touches the imagination and lights it
up. Robertss strategy is recognized as suitable
for the emergency but EngIishmen discuss II
cOolly, because they know in their hearts that
it is not a great thing for mighty empire to
crush two feeble coumonw ealths, and that there
cannot be any glory in so UNEQUAL a contest
especially when there has been 50 much blum
dering in the earlier stages OF the campaign
Honesty and candOr are English virtues. and
these truths frankly bIurted out whenever
Englshmen talk about the progress OF the war
The defence of Mafeking is a feat OF arms
which appeals 70 national pride, and il is
matched by the brilliant conduct of the small
relief expedition starting nobody knows where.
but coming out in the nick OF time at the right
| place when Baden Powell had repulsed the
| final attack
/ Engishnen have right 10 be proud OF these
| two exploits which are stirring anything
| in the history Of the Empire Lord ROberts's
strategy. in point Of tact. IS imperfectly appr--
ciated by the general public which is tongue tied
/ by it's own consciousness that duel between
/ the British and colonial host OF 100000 trained
soldiers and scattered Dutch commanders hard
| ly numbering than $4,000 burshers Is an
/ incor gruous spectacle There has been nothing
/ finer in the military annals OF the century than
/ the precision with which he has calculated
forces adarted means 10 ends ard carried into
I ffy-rT3
\ OF war. The relief column was not too large 10
/ be mobile yet strong enough 70 do its work; ir
started at the right moment, when the Boer
| commanders could not be massed against II,
and it arrived at the appointed time. The clear
ance OF the Free State and the advance toward
| the vaaI have been ordered with equal GER
| tainty OF Judgment. and the strategy was even
| more scientific than the opening OF Robertss
! campaign in the direction OF Kimberley and
| Bloemfontein-
| The rnanoeuvres and operations now in prog
| ress are leading almost inevitably 70 the speedy
| annexation OF the Free state; il is believed in
| influential circles that Lord Roberts intends 10
| Issue a proclamation OF annexation on ths
| Queens birthday and that the movements Of the
next few days viii be conducted with that end
in view When Bethlehem and HeilhrOn are
occupied the conquest OF the Free State VII
be completed. and a proclamation OF annexation
| will be a couveniens substitute for a convention
| or treaty of peace. With Methuen at Hoopstac-
| Broadwood at Lindley and Rundle marching
on eastward from the Winburg- g-Lady brand hne-
/ there is cumulative evidence OF RoberJs's plan
for the observance Of the Queens birthday N
| a manner as unique as his method of celebrat-
! ing Majuba Day.
Aparr from South Africa the only cloud in the
| sky is over COomassie, whare the Governor or
| the Gold Coast is still shut up by rebelIious
/ ba 70
| TO the seaboard If he has not received tidings
| that three columns moving 20 his relief
The Australian question is still unsettled bur
| there have bean conferences between Mr. Cham
| berIain and the delegates. and Cabinet coun-
Gil has considered the expediency OF compromise,
and the Unionisrs are hoping that second
! reading Of the Commonwealth bill may be
| brought about without party division Ap-
| parentIy the controversy will be ended If the
| Australian Parliament be armed with full power
| TO regulate the conditions of appeal 10 the Court
for the Empire. but Mr.. Chamberlain has not
| YET been convinced that the federated colonies
| can be trusted 10 that extent
| The de3ates al Westminster are utterly stag
nant: the only diversion. which the Commons
/ have enjoyed is the spectacle presented by Mr.
Samuel Smith in warning the public against
| the degeneracy Of the modern drama. and Urg-
| ing a stricter censorship % plays That stern
| condemns IL on hearsay evidence. has also taken
| up arms against sensuous and indelicare modes
| of dressing in London society, and, strangely
| enough. justifes his plea by the assertion that
| simple children OF nature from America are
| scandaIized and shocked by English inproprie-
/ ties Diversions ike these are welcome. for the
| weather is raw and cold, this spring being the
latest known for many years and the social
season is dragging sadly. in spite OF the ef-
I of rhe n fr1pa rrrIlS m
/ A third State concert is vaguely promised. but
neither Drawing Rooms nor concerts offer COM
| pensatiOn for the decision that there shall be no
Court ball during the season. for this has beer
an intimation the great houses that social
gayetes should be moderated during a period
| OF war when thousands OF families IN
mourning for the loss OF relatives and friends
Johannes Wolf played an evening party
last night. and several concerts have been ar
! ranged for private houses next week Lady
wimborne will have an evening party. with
| music in honor OF the King OF Sweden. The
| opera. under Mr. Grau's mar agement has made
most brilliant start. the subscription list being
the largest on record and the audiences large
and enthusiastic Operas have never been bet
ter staged in Covent Garden than in the per-
never bean more marvellous display OF dia-
the boxes and auditorium Nine MsISa was
compelled ny attack OF bronchitis 70 eis-
appoint the first night audience. but suzanne
in the part OF Marguerite Ternina has ap-
pearet Elsa. and CaIve has sung with hs-
oldtirne grace and piquant charm in Carmen"
I -2V Int had rTfr,a ~