New-York tribune., 1900-05-07
THE TALK OF LONDON
"BOBS" AND SOME OF HIS GENERAIss
CAMP FOLLOWERsTHE DIssOLU.
TION-JOHN MORLEY'S POSI-
TION-DISRAELFS PAPERS
London, April 21

has been sensation equal to that created by
the publication of Lord Robertss structures on
the commanding officers directly concerned II
is significant testimony to the unique position
''Bobs' occupies with the British public that mo
question is raised to the justice OF his criti-
cisrn or of the righteousness OF it's severity
The question CONS in whether the Governments
are justified in publishing the dispatches at the
present moment. More than two months have
elapsed since the commander In chief comrnuni
Gated with the Secretary for War. In that time
q great deal has happened. including the reie,
of Ladysmith. The immediate and. far as
be observed. the only effect of the publica-
ton is TO discredit General Butler. Sir Charles
Warren, and practically TO break the sword OF
Colonel Thornycroft.
Hunting about for reasons Eor War Office pro-
ceiure in the matter. il is concluded that their
recall is decided upon and that steps for justify
ing 1t in the public eye have been taken in ad-
Even if such course of action is not
contemplated at Pail Mall it would seem irnpos-
sible that with this public disgrace attached to
their names either General retain his COM
mand. Apart from his personal feeling, the ef-
feet on the men he might hereafter be called
on to lead into battle would be hopelessly de-
moraliZing.
The condition of affairs at Cape Town, follow
ing inrush of British tourists is indicated by
the letter from Sir Alfred MiIner Mr.. Cham
berlain has circulated From the outset the
front in South Africa, or as near as IL was safe
to go, became as fashionable a resort the
Terrace or the House of Commons in June and
July. 1t is a pleasant voyage (after you pass
Madeira). The climate in winter months ia
lovely, and there are few families in society that
have not father. or brother under arms. II
was above all things. the centre Of interest, and
the politicians of the class of Ashmead Bartlett
and Howard Vincent instinctively gathered
round the flame. Grandes DANES. like Lady RAN
dolph Churchill. picncking on luxuriously ap-
pointed hospital ship, drew women well
men, Among the grim stories coming home about
the enthusiasm of amateur nurses. one is told OF
a sergeant brought into hospital after Magers-
fontein we'll known London lady. passing
his cot and wishing to do something kind
sponged his face There" she cooed you'll
feel refreshed after that" Yes. ma'am re-
Piled the sergeant you're the seventh kind lady
that has done it this afternoon
Sir Alfred Miner makes a strong point OF the
Inconvenience arising TO officers and others hav-
ing business in Cape Town by the always I'm
tied hotel accommodations being appropriated
by this particular clasSp camp follower For
its size and Importance Cape Town IS, experlen-
tia docet, the worst hotelled town in the World
Within the last two years there has been partial
class hotel But what is one among so many
as compose the floating population Of Cape
Town? Travellers coming and going lombard
IL as if il were a desirable kopje, and when 1t
is filled as it always is, there remains nothing
but the dirty draggle tailed hostleries that have
heretofore served the sOjourner at the Cape
The definite and confident declaration by Mr.
J. w. Lowther that Parliament will be dissolved
in June or July quckens interest in question
which in these days is never absent from the
mind of the politician. Apart from his position
as chairman of Ways and Means in the House
of Commons. Mr. Lowthers family and social re-
,ations lend pecuIiar weight to his opinion
Writing in this column last year, / broached
subjects and set forth reasons that mace prooa-
BILE a general election at the time named More
recently recurred to it. dealing especially Win
the influence the war is calculated TO nave III
settling the issue. 1 am bound TO say that pros
uects of dissolution in June or July seem 10 me
loss clear than they presented themselves when
writing Just a month before Mr. Lowther SPOKE
1t seemed at the time that Lord Roberts.
promptly following up his occupation OF Bloen-
fontein. would forthwith be on the way to Pre-
+oria and that Lord Wolseley's estimate or the
campafgn being over by the middle or May
would be realized. In such case the Govern
ment, flying the flag of peace with honor might
have rushed the country at a general eieeIon
on tho Question of terms of settlement with the
South African republics. At present the capitu-
1aticn of Pretoria seems afar off, and among
nuch that is doubtful in details one thlnS Is
certain-that the Government cannot appeal 70
the country while is still going on
While Sir William Harcourt's retirement from
official connection with the Liberal party haS
dome little in the direction of limiting his Parna-
mentarv activity Air. John Morley's self-enaee-
ment is practically complete He looks In occa-
sionally at the House of Commons. and Claims
his selected seat at the extreme end or the iron'
Opposition bench But he refralns from taAins
part in the debate and rarely sits 1t out oeyonu
the dinner hour. There is some question whether
he will attempt to re-enter Parliament a1ter 'l'
dissolution. He has not through prolonged ef-
fort of character far removed from MS 'aS''
and disposition. been cheered by the compensa-
tion of supreme success. Some years ago. az q
| time when he was slowly recovering from severe
| illness. an old friend found him seated In MS
library deeply engrossed in volume that wasn't
a Blue Book Wouldn't you be glad the
friend asked. Ito get away from the turmoil OF
politics and return TO your old life as man OF
Ietters?" Perhaps" Mr. Morley said reiec-
| lively But if the opportunity comes. II must
come soon" Already he was bitten with the
overmastering passion for the political way.
When he recovered his health he went back 10
the old battlefield. seeming to have left forever
behind him the quiet pastures of the boOkman.
The accident of the proposal TO write the LHe
| of Mr. Gladstone happening at time when 40
felt piqued at certain tendencies of the Lioera
| rank and file forced the opportunity upon hif'-
He is. l believe, thoroughly absorbed IN niS
work and has convinced himself that he is acso-
Iutely and finally detached from political lfe-