New-York tribune., 1900-09-09
THE RU1IORs OF LORD RoBERTss RETIRE
MENT-ASIERICNN COAL WANTED
WOMEN IN THE BRTTIsH
ASSOCIATION
roopyrtEh'. 1900 BY Tae S~~-TarE Tribunal

ASSOCIATION
ICopyriEht. 1900 BY The Nevv-T7rk tribunal
TBT CABLE I'VE TRIBUSEI
London. Sept. S-The runors respecting Io-s
Roberts's retirement from the chief command
in South Africa and General Baden -POweT's
visit 70 England are well founded although
premature The campaign has degsneratsd into
hunt for half dozen leaders. When they are
either run down and captured or driven across
the border into neutral territory the bands of
raiders VIII break up This may be an affair OF
weeks or months. for while there is science IN
war there is luck in fox hunting.
The return OF Lord Roberts wiz enable the
Government 70 dissolve Parliament and order
the general elections. as IL win be practical evi-
dence that the war In South Africa has virtually
ended It has not yet been officially announced
but win probably be the sequel 20 the capture
of LydenbUrg. General Baden-Poweu has not
been ordered 70 England. but ne has received
an OFFER OF leave OF absence from South Africa
II he wishes TO pay flying visit 10 London BE-
fore settling down 20 important work in the
conquered territory CuiOnisr whips VIII be
pleased if ne be IN England on the eve OF the
dissolution OF Parliament. but the War once
viii avoid the appearance OF ordering him home
as an election agent
The trend or events points clearly TO elections
in October OF early in November. although the
dates have not yet been settled The expIana-
tion commonly offered by the Unionists IS that
the campaign has established an urgent neces-
siry for a thorough reorganization OF the British
army and that the Parliament elected five years
ago cannot undertake 50 complex and difficult
a work Probably there VIII be better election
appeals when Lord Salisbury. Mr.. BaItour and
Mr. Chamberlain are in fighting form but ths
fact that a reorganization OF the army Is no
mentarily the paramount political issue Il sig
nihcant proof that the military processes of ths
war are considered unsatisfactory.
II would be an easy task 70 prove that Eng
Hshmen take a too serious view OF their military
failures ard disappointments- Guerilla war
fare. whether conducted IN the South African
bush or the Philippines is a long. harassfng
struggle, without glory or prestige. and one rs-
quiring unceasing patience Generals Lee and
Johnston could have converted four years
war into seven years OF conflict II they had
adopted the tactics OF Botha and De Wet Tn
ionists are unjust 10 their own army when they
bring the war 70 close with confession OF
military failure and demand fer a new Par
lament with a popular mandate for a completes
and thoroughgoing reorganization OF the milf
| tary establishment Moreover, they are neither
logical nor practical. for the reorganization
| which is needed cannot be accomplished ~ leg
fsIatioa. but must be worked out IN detail by
the Headquarters star and through new meth
DDS in training officers for their work and the tn
fusion OF fresh blood The privileged classes
have not come out vel during the campaign
and IL IS evident that officers IN the future VIII
be compelled 10 pay less attention 70 fox hunt
ing, golf drawing room gayeCy and country
house recreation and 20 master the details Of
their profession. But II IS clearly unfair 70 The
army 20 hold IL responsible for the prolonga-
tion OF hostilities IL South Africa, when II was
confronted with guerilla tactics by an enemy 50
alert and resourceful as the Boer conma1does
and when political conditions did not allow any
scope for peace negotiations
The signs OF disturbance caused by a war
fraught with surprises and disappointmeuts ara
increasing Trade returns do not tell the story,
for there has been no abatement in the voluns
OF external commerce. and wages are also on
the upward grade. owing 70 the withdrawal OF
large body OF workers for continuous campaign
ing in South Africa But the cost OF produc-
rion has run I'D IN nearly all lines OF manu-
facrure. owing 70 dear coal and 20 high labor.
and consumers are confronted with a marked
increase II living expenses The decline n rail-
way and Industrial stocks through shriukage IN
dividend earning capacity also Affects an I'm
mense body OF small investors whose incomes.
through war taxation, are now worth only ztne-
teen shIIlings the pound. and another SIX
pence may come on II Sir Michael Hicks Beach
declines next spring 20 enlarge the scope of In
direct taxation
The Trades Union Congress al HudderShsld
has been less remarkable for the passage BY
small majority OF a motion il condemnation Oc
the war in South Africa than for a presidential
address on philosophical lines BY a working
uan-WfIIiam PickIes-ou The Substitution of
CoIlectivisn for Capitalism with adroit quota
tions from Darwin and Herbert Spencer.
Whether its reasoning was correct Or not. the
high character OF this address was fresh proof
that the English working world IS acquiring in
teIlectuaI power
More important than the transactions q the
labor congress Is the decision % Justice Far
we'll that the AmaIgamared Society OF Railway
Engineers having been created BY legislation. -
not an irresponsible body. but can be restrained
by Injunction and held accountable for the acts
OF its officers. II this decision stands. trades
unions in England can be proceeded against BY
Injunction at every turn. and employers VIII
have u convenient instrument in every labor dis
pute Il has been rendered at an unfortunate
moment when Cancellation is favored as a
sound policy and the best remedy. and when
the New-Zealand system or rendering il com
pulsory has many advocates
Coal consumers here who are welcoming the
prospect OF a large importation OF American an
thracite into England and Europe as a means
OF lowering prices during the winter are greatly
concerned over the reports OF impending
strike IN Pennsylvania and are hoping that it
will be averted by a compromise similar C.
those Effected here in the mining regions.
Whatever may De the grievances Of the workers
there. political agitatOrs JUSTIFIED IN al
tempting 70 prejudice them against President