The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-06
Many Would Not BE Surprised IL Rob-
erts Reached Pretoria by May
Is, as Wolseley Predicted.
COMMENT OF LONDON PRESS
HOW ROOTS MONROE DOCTRINE
SPEECH is VIEWED.
Possibility of War Between the United
States and Germany Discussed
by the Spectator.

Copyright, 1900. by the Associated Press)
LONDON, Nay 5.-Among the many in
teresting topics brought before the English
public within the last few days Lord Rob-
erts's advance on Pretoria is pre-eminent.
The inception of this wearily awaited move
ment has thrown open to the papers and the
people. hitherto too conservative to prog
nosticate or criticise, the sluices of free
thought. Hence the probable duration OF
the siege of Pretoria, the facilities of the
Beers for carrying on guerrilla warfare
subsequent to being defeated in decisive
engagement and the possibilities of retain
ing the colonials and reservists now under
arms, as settlers in British South Africa.
are now matters of serious speculation.
Upon details of the military strategy that
is to accomplish the putting into action of
the various theories advanced, the wisest
are silent, for the war critics have been
so evidently at sea regarding Lord Rob-
erts's plan of campaign that the staid
weeklies prefer to jump at the result with
out devoting space TO representations of
the steps to accomplish the same. however
celebrated the prophets may be. Still, there
is a widespread feeling that the end will
come quicker than was expected. This i'm
preston figures not so much among the
writings of professional critics, who have
found themselves so often wrong that they
are almost afraid Of their own judgment,
but is found among prominent business
men. Stock Exchange leaders anu those in
close touch with the government a major
ity of whom are inclined to draw a close
parallel between the Boer war and
the conquest of the Sudan. Keen recollec-
tions of General Kitchener's long wait be-
fore striking any blow and the rapidity and
decision with which he smote when trans
port and other essentials had been organ
lied, lead the bulk of the best British opin-
ion to believe that similar plan has been
followed in the Free State, though for fear
of being thought overcOnfident, 1T is hard
to get those holding this idea TO express 1t
in print or anywhere but In confidential
Were Lord Wolseley's prophecy that
Lord Roberts will be in Pretoria on May
Is accomplished, there would be no undue
elation or surprise, and there are men who
believe that Sir George Whites opinion
that the war will last only six weeks longer
may be justified within an approximate
limit 1t is, of course, possible. that this
hopefulness is based chiefly on the principle
that the wish is father to the thought.
THE SPION KOP DISPATCHES.
The debate on the publication of the Spion
kop dispatches, which has redeemed an un-
interesting week in Parliament from hope
less innocuousness, has only revealed the
governments utter lack of tact. With no
serious case to face and with the army
regulations to justify their action. they ap-
pealed through Mr.. Balfour to sentiment.
and based their plea on the duty of the
Conservatives to protect Lord Lansdowne's
personal honor. BY so doing. though nat
urally they carried the day, they damaged
case that, even partial observers con-
sidered open to various constructions and
added fuel to the feud between Butler and
Roberts. that, both with the public and in
the service, threatens to rival the Sampson
Schley controversy.
Hopelessly, but withal interestingly, in
termingled with the countless war ques-
tions matters of American internal and
external policy. These are receiving
need of notice that delights the heart OF
him who fears that the United States is
not a factor in the affairs of Europe. The
visit of the Boer delegates is perhaps more
responsible for this phase than any other
factor but Secretary Roots declaration
for an aggressive Monroe doctrine comes
in for a large share of comment, while
Admiral Deweys candidacy, the continued
troubles in the Philippines and other minor
questions are infinitely dealt with. The alb
sence OF any development In the American
controversy with Turkey has resulted in
that matter being banshed from the seri-
Gus probabilities, and idea is enter
tanned in England that it will result seri-
ously.
Regarding the Boer delegates, the Specta-
tor and the Outlook voice current English
opinion, the former saying that there is no
fear that the Americans will be taken in.
more especially as 1t is very doubtful
whether the delegates have any power to
bind either President Kruger or the Volks-
raad. while the Outlook remarks: The
only hope of the delegates In the United
States lies in the gamble of presidential
politics. Yet even there the prospect Is
disheartening The Americans will remem-
ber-if the delegates don't-that America
owes her independence to armed protests
against being taxed without representa-
tion.''
ROOTS MoNROEIsM.
Secretary Roots Monroeism utterances
are dealt with in a long article in the Spec
tator, which mali that 1.-The war sec
retary's explanation that he was speaking
ACCIDENTALLY must not be taken into ac-
count and that he deserves praise for
speaking as frankly as he did" The article
continues: mo American who takes the
trouble to look the facts in the face can
fail to see that the doctrine cannot be sup
ported on tall talk. America must not i'm
agine that If she ever gets into serious
controversy with a great continental power
she will be treated as Lord Salisbury, with
the full consent of the nation, treated her.
Here we should dread a victory over
America, supposing We were able to obtain
It, only one degree less than defeat. But
IL Is idle to suppose that the continental
powers-Germany for instance-would take
such things into consideration. Granted
she wanted TO infringe on the Monroe doc
trine Germany would simply consider
whether America had physical power to
maintain IL. If she had not Americans
historical claims would not be held to be
worth straw"
The Spectator then goes on to say that
no power would dream OF invading America
but Germany. The paper adds: For in
stance, the latter country might get into a
dispute with Brazil and prepare to occupy
fits territory If America should wish TO
enforce the Monroe doctrine she must be
able to destroy the German fleet. Her
present officers and men, the article con-
tinues. ARE as good possible. They
the sister navy OF Great Britain. But there
are too few of them" Regarding the
strength of her forces, the paper says:
Clearly. IL Germany is building ships
and America is doing little or nothing,
America will not be in a position to fetter
Germany's will or TO tell her tnat she shall
not make what terms she likes with the
South or Central American powers
The Spectator disclaims in those alarmist
views any wish 10 tempt America TO take
a warlike course or TO make any i'll blood
between America and Germany, but main
tains that Secretary Root is right. and ''if
she sticks TO the Monroe doctrine and yet
refuses TO prepare there is in store for
| America great humiliation" The paper
| concludes by reiterating the authenticity
| OF former articles dealing with German
activity in South America and its attend