The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-22

LONDON. April 2l-Nlr Cecil Rhodes
Is the mystery man Of British impe-
rial politics When bis departure from
the Cape for London was announced a
month OF so ago, the object OF his
mission was the theme ofo every jour
nalist He had been summoned TO London
to support Mr. Chamberlain against the
rest Of the Cabinet in his policy Of thor
ough" in South Africa. in insisting espe-
cialIy upon a proclamation Of British
dominion over the Transvaal and the Free
State, upon immediate penal treatment
for the Cape and Natal rebels. upon the
protection Of the gold millionaires from the
supposed predatory instincts Of the Chan
cellor Of the Exchequer eagerly seeking
some one to pay for the war. and so on.
Well. MIR. Rhodes came. eusconced him
self in the Burlington Hotel, and, so far as
the pressman could tell the world. he went
nowhere except TO the Offices Of the Char
tered ana De Beers companies. In the city
certainly. he saw no Mr.. Chamberlain and
no Lord Salisbury, and now he quietly slips
back again to South Africa by today S
and. so far as journals know. without a
word in the Government ear. either.
il all seems mysterious to the man in the
street fer he has been taught by a certain
section OF the press to believe that Mr..
Rhodes is the one real Governor Of South
Africa. the man Of millions without whose
word Ministers dare not move or act. The
truth is that Mr. Rhodes has learned that
where Mr. Chamberlain is concerned he
can do more good by silence than by his
most forcible expletives that the Ministry
mean TO follow their own path in South
Africa. and do not mean to be hurried
into any attempt to impose political prob
lens upon a military situation still suf-
lcienuy complicated. In a word, they look
at this moment to Lord Roberts. and to no
man else, and VIII not move till he pro-
yides the moment for political action.
How complicated this military situation
Is this weeks publication Of Lord Roberts
despatch on Spion Kop shows. -Four high
officers make fragrant failures. Lord Rob
erts censures General Gatacre and he is
ordered to England. He also censures
Generals Butler and Warren. The censure
is kept six weeks by the War Office the
officers are retained in command, and the
censure is published on the eve OF i'm
portant movements in which both generals
are concerned. discredijing them just when
they need every support from their men.
Finally Lord Methuen makes the most
glazing blunders Of ALL and nobody knows
whether he was or was not censured. The .
censure certainly never was published.
and this is most pr0vokingly mystifying TO
the public. and everybody is fun of sur /
misses which the reassembly Of Parliament f.
may or may not remove.
VERY quietly the Government has decided .
10 demonstrate afresh to the world Eng
lands sea supremacy. The Admiralty are .
planning naval maneuyres on an imp0r I
tsnt scale and already have approved Of .
the estimates for bringing forward ships TO
be specially commissioned.
But more significant still Greenwich .
College is to be closed from June 80 to
September !. that is TO say. The whole Of
the naval officers there undergoing in .
struction VIII devote three months to leave
before maneuvres. duty during maneu-
yres, and leave after maneuyres.
What form the evolution will take has
not yet been revealed, but it is expected
that there will be more cruisers in COM
destroyers will play their part as scouts
in the van Of the cruisers.
Mr.. Gladstone's memory is 70 be per-
petuated in his own home county by a me
mortal chancel in Buckley Church Flint
shire. which is the gift Of the statesmans
daughter, Mrs. Drew. wife Of the Rev.
Harry Drew, vicar Of Buckley, and Miss
Helen Gladstone.
Old London is fast disappearing under
the hammers OF the housebreakers. Holy
well Street otherwise called Booksellers
Row. the haunt Of the book collector. is
being al this moment reduced TO dust and
bricks. Elsewhere the London Of the first
quarter Of the century is being rapidly
improved away. Regent Street ana the
Regents Park and St Johns Wood dis
trcts will soon be the only succeed quar-
tiers left. The latest to disappear is ST
Brides Avenue, Fleet Street the home
for over forty years Of Punch Had
London a Baron Haussmann. as pari. had
Sir Christopher Wrens imposing Church
of ST Bride. until now hidden among the
surrounding clusters Of mean houses.
would at last be given breathing room.
but it viii soon be huddled away again be-
hind Offices higher and uglier than ever.
This advertisement IN todays Saturday
Review suggests that clearing away Ola
London does not mean clearing away old
customs. Ii runs. "Cockdghung Gentle
men interested in the revival OF this an
Cient sport are invited 10 cooperate in the
formation Of a club. Address So-anG-So."
Once again an effort is TO be made to
close up the divisions In the Church of
England The latest proposal made by
Prehendary Webbe pepoe is that a con-
ference shall be held Of representative Of
the High and Low Church parties. s. SINH
Jar proposal made by Lord Halifax two
years ago led 10 no result but 10 is hoped
that the bitterness is less now. and there
IS a general feeling that concerted steps
should be taken 20 discourage the brawl-
ing in churches. in which some extremists
Of both parties s.jll indulge But the ques-
ton is. viii the Ritualists recognize the
necessity OF foregoing fancy rituals The
brawling In ST Marys Church. in Munster
Square. on GroOd Friday, was provoked
By the inclusion in the service Of the Mass
Of the presanctfed Moderate chuTchmeu
ask what place has a mass Of the
Dresauctifed in the worship of the English
Church. What primitive authority is there
Tor it2 What would have been the verdict
upon il OF men like Pussy and Kebic2
Intending visitors 10 the exposition may
ind this note from a friend iu Paris OF
service: The price OF food has not yet
been advanced. and rooms are not yet ar
famine prices. SO those who can should
ONE early 90 avoid the season when heat
aud crowds viii make Paris something
Ike a hell upon earth"
MR.. ALIENS DEPARTURE.