The Portland daily press., 1900-06-25
BRITAIN's WOES.
Diverse Issue. That An.e. Her Fu-
ture.
Especial London Cable Letter.)

Especial London Cable Lottery
London, June 23.-Never at any time
In her history has Great Britain been in
volved in so many diverse issues that
vitality affect the future of hsr empire.
And, though there are still at stake In
South Africa military, territorial and
financial considerations that In their
magnitude have scarcely been exceeded
during the century, Great Britain Is no
exception to the rest Of Europe In being
wrought up to pitch of intense anxiety
and anticipation to the exclusion Of every
other topic, by the drama now being en-
acted In the Far East. In the excitement
Of the moment, the relief Of Mafeking
seems little thing compared with the
relief of Vice Admiral Seymour and the
international forces. Spion Kop, Paarie
terg and Colenso sink into insignificance
compared with the spectacle presented by
the land and sea forces Of the six greatest
powers in the world fighting side Wy side
against a common enemy. With keen
sense of the relative proportion OF things
Great Britain quickly turned her eyes to
China, not so much, perhaps, on imme-
diate developments as upon the possibif'
ty of the epoch making war or wars
which may arise out OF the present crisis.
The death of Count Muravieff, the
Russian minister of foreign affairs,
evoked no canting obituaries or express
sions Of regret here, for the British
press In spite of the equanimity of the
foreign Office, was unanimous in realiz-
ing the gravity of the present turn OF
affairs. Apart from the material view
of the result Of Count Muravieff's death,
1t is generally referred to rs one Of the
most pathetic happenings in political
circles, for according to the dead mans
critics, he see ed, owing to the crisis in
China, on the verge of accomplishing the
object to which he had devoted his life.
Lord Loch's death, almost coinciding
with Count Muravieff $, also removes
one whose name was much connected
with matters in the Far East. Before he
became colonial governor, Lord Loeb
assisted in the negotiations which result
ed in the treaty of Tien Tsin in 1860 and
only escaped execution at the hands Of
the Chinese emperor by 10 minutes
Srace. Like Muravieff, he was struck
down when the dream of his lifetime
seemed about to be realized. In his case
IL was British federation over the whole
of South Africa.
Lord Salisbury's entreaty this week to
the missionaries not to have themselves
murdered, is one more instance of his
uncommon frankness, or,as 1t is referred
to, his "thinking aloud pha se." Among
the secular press, the Premier remark
will meet the appreciation of their
sound, common sense, but 1t Will not
add church votes to the Conservative
party at the next general election, which,
by the way, is still further postponed ow-
ing 10 the Chinese trouble.
Great Britain great army in south
Africa is slowly accomplishing the work
of ratification. The smouldering en-
bers Of that once fierce resistance occa-
sionally flare up, but the hard lighting
seem to be practically over, The Brit
ish military progress in the Transyaal Is
scarcely more interesting now than the
events in the Orange River colony dur
ing the last two months. The TransNaal
annexation proclamation Is soon ex-
pected. Almost all reports indicate that
the Beers are rapidly realizing the fulfill
ty of a further struggle when opposed to
such an overwhelming force.
One of the most noticeable features of
the week in South Africa was Lord
Roberts's abandonment of humane meas
ures towards the Beers, which was per-
sisted in despite the criticism OF the Brit
ish colonists and many officers. The
stern vengeance that now will be visited
not only ON those who give the Beers
assive assistance, but ON those who, af-
ter surrender, fail to assist the British
arms, savors more of Gen. Kitchener than
of ''Bobs.''
Kumassi still awaits relief~Gov Hodg-
don is expected to hold out, but even II
the siege ends little can be done TO SUBJ
due the natives until the rains are over.
In December a punitive expedition
with corps OF white troops, will probably
be sent. The mortality among the offi-
GERS of Col. Willcocks' staff shows how
useless it would be to send many white
troops until then.