The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-09-22
END OF WAR AIDS uNIoNIsTs,
Breakup OF the Boer Army Deprives
the Liberal Party OF Its Strength.

NEW YORK. Sept. 2l.--A dispatch to
the Tribune from London says:
The leaders have now taken charge
of the political campaign on either side.
Lord Salisbury IS expected to write a
letter to some prominent Unionistoandi-
date. and Mr.. Balfour win produce an
address within thirty-six hours with
official explanations Of the government
reasons for appealing to the country.
Sir Henry embellishments and
Sir william Harcourt are holding back
their addresses until the Unionist lead
ers state the main issues Of the cleo
tions. Probably there viii be more
life in the opposition canvass next
week when these veterans open their
attack. but at present the current is
strongly Unionist and seems most like
" to sweep everything before it.
Some uneasiness is shown by the Un-
lonist rress over the Intervention Of
the National Protestant League in poll
itlcs. but It is not likely that pressure
viii be brought to bear upon many
candidates during so short a canvass.
The anti-ritualist leaders Of that move
ment viii be content to concentrate
their efforts upon small number Of
districts ard establish their claim to
having donated half dozen candidates
upon the test question Of Protestant
discipline. II Sir William Harcourt
was to emphasize this issue something
might be done with It. but it is not
believed that he win reopen the discus
sion.
South Africa holds the field 70 the ex-
clusion OF everything else. with annex
elton as the Unionist method Of set
tlement.
: Lord Roberts meanwhile is acting as
The Unionist whipper-in by keeping
his columns in motion toward Portu-
'kuese territory. His bulletins could
hardly be more decisive.
The Boer army. retreating before
French and Pole-csrew, has virtually
disbanded. The refugees who have ena
tered Portuguese territory have des-
troyed their artillery and will now be
disarmed by neutral officials. Other
commanders are going to pieces in
every direction. and only few bands Of
guerillas remain in the field. wretched
remnants Of the formidable army
which held the battalions Of Butler.
Methuen and Gatacre at bay last De-
cember.
Steyn and Botha have both disap-
peared and De Wet is still in hiding.
The occupation Of Komatipoort by
Freneh's troopers is expected within 4s
hours. and Lord Roberts can choose
his own time for returning to Eng
land. leaving either Butler or Kitchen
er to direct the police work.
All these details supply the Union
list press with effective headlines for
election purposes and justify the con-
clusion that the war has really ended.
The final scenes. with rioting at Koma-
tipoort and The destruction Of the Long
Toms" and captured British guns, are
anything but dramatic.
Some discussion has been raised over
the right Of the British government to
intercept the gold and public documents
which Mr.. Kruger is reported to be
anxious to take with him to Holland.
It IS not probable that any obstacle
win be placed in the way Of his car
Iying off anything he has with him.
The Netherlands government has re-
ceived word from the foreign Office
that Kruger's journey will not be n
terfered with by the British feet. It
is plausible that the amount Of gold
which Kruger still retains has been
grossly exaggerated and. in any event,
the ministry here will be greatly re-
lieved to have him leave the country
quietly. Moreover there has always
been a strong belief in official circles
that Steyn rather than Kruger was
responsible for the outbreak Of the war
and that he was dragged into 1t at
the last moment against his Judgment
The picturesque figure Of Mr.. Kruger
reading his Bible at st. Helena or
Ceylon would have excited English
whereas the refugee in
win be speedily forgotten.
Mr.. Chamberlain has issued an ad-
dress to his constituents with a detailed
statement of the questions which have
been at issue in South Africa. 1t is
by his opponents as too long
"