New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-18

latter is what the Americans call "blun. but
we have to be very sure OF our facts before pro
ceeding on such basis. The Ameer Is not III
in spite of all the alarming reports. / suppose
he will die some day, and there will possibly De
great disorder. But until this occurs Tan ~ 70
what Russia effect II the movement is
as important represented, L think IL far IKE
lier that she intends to make a demonstration
of the strength that might be brought TO pear
upon some minor concessions to be asked tor by
Russia hereafter.
The opinion OF this official and those OF the
majority of persons accurately Informed Is that
Russia's move is merely one of the finer points
OF the diplomatic game, and that she has no
more idea of forcing war with Great Britain
than she has OF forcing war upon the united
States. So, while it appears that international
relations are really not threatened with any
serious break. it also appears that Russia Is
likely to get whatever she asks for, within rea-
sonable diplomacy, In the future. Nothing
is more patent. from the conversation of the
Cabinet Ministers and officials, than the desire
to conciliate and not to overvalue minor con-
cessons However 1t must not be inferred that
Great Britain intends to allow herself TO be
bullied into granting anything asked for, and 1t
is interesting to note In this connection that the
Channel Squadron. consisting OF eight battle
ships and other craft, is due in the neighborhood
OF Gibraltar February Pc.
RENEWED NAVAL ACTIVITY.
The renewed naval activity has had almost az
much to do with the return of national conf
dence Lord Roberts's evident grasp of the
campaign. While the nation is still looking
askance at the new military programme intro
duced this week, there is genuine qualification
at learning that the reports that hundreds OF
thousands of tons OF Welsh smokeless coal had
been bought for foreign nation untrue
There Is no substitute for that breath Of en-
pire.' 1t is almost important as smokeiess
powder. and were the supply to be seriously
diminished it would affect Great Britain's power
of defence tremendously.
The navy's activity is also evidenced in it's
progress with wireless telegraphy. Experiments
will shortly occur to ascertain whether II is
possible to communicate by this means between
ships and balloons The Importance of such
a test in ascertaining the whereab bouts of an
enemy and countless other points OF warfare
cannot be overestimated
THE QUEEN AND BUGLER DUNN.
The Queens personal interest in the men fight
ing her battles is being constantly illustrated
by her visits to Netey Hospital and the private
houses where lie officers and men who were
wounded in South Africa. few days ago Her
Majesty stood godmother to the child Of a
majors wife whose husband killed at
Elandslaagte and she has summoned to Os-
borne Bugler Dunn. aged fifteen of the LIST
Royal Dublin Fusiliers, who the first to
cross the Tugela River, though the of the
regiment tried to keep him back. While running
with the soldiers, holding his bugle in his right
hand Dunn sounded the Advance" A bullet
struck his arm and the bugle fell. The boy
Immediately lifted it up with his left hand and
repeated the call. He was brought to NetIey
Hospital, and was visited there by Princess
Christian and Princess Henry OF Battenberg,
who asked the boy what he would like the
Queen to do for him. He replied:
Il hope Her Majesty Will send me back to
the front. I'm to have a medal and three bars
because l was in three engagements. My father
has only two bars to his medal"
The lads father, a sergeant returned to the
front this week, having recovered from his
wound.
On his arrival at Portsmouth young Dunn was
tendery borne the shoulders Of the delighted
pOpulace.