Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-01-03

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Copyrighted, 1901, by The Associated Press
London, Eng, Dec. 30. IN iserable
rain, fog and dirt made Christmas
week Of evil memory for England.
Depressing gloom, in thorough har-
mony with tho weather, settled over
the country. The coasts were strewn
with wrecks, commerce was out OF
joint and the public was bitterly
digesting the criticism OF tho British
Army. The demand for Mnior- General
Sit Henry II. Uolville's resignation,
thrown as a sop. only served to whet
the ravenous appetitee OF these who
are bowling for the responsibility of
the reverses 10 South Africa being
brought home TO individuals. More
heads are demanded. Where so many
must be blamable, 10 Ia felt that the
selection of Gen. Colville is woefully
inadequate. II not unfair. INDEED, 1t
is already said that had not the yeo.
many force at Lindley, which Colyille
failed to relieve, included some of the
nobility and other influential persons,
Colville would never have been re
called. The bitterness felt by these
yeomanry at being compelled to sur
render because as they allege, Colyille
refused to render the aid within his
power has never died out, and 1t will
probably result in one OF the most
interesting oourt-martials In the annals
of the British Army, upon the result
OF which will depend the fate Of several
other high officers WHO have proved
unequal to the occasion.
The Liberal papers comment severely
on the acceptance by the War Office Of
continent OF Maoris from New Zeal
and. The Star says. 1.-THE effect OF
this stupid blunder on the Dutch will
be terrible After declining to employ
Indian troops. we are taking paltry
hundred Maoris. This will not only
infuriate the Dutch, but it will insult
the Indian troops, who will regard IL
as declaration OF their iHferiority to
an inferior oolored race. Go on, iOh
government Of muddlers. Even the
gous could not save you, from your own
inyincible folly.n
However, there are signs Of the dawn
CT that common sense, the lack of
which the English critics 80 deplore
in the military system, for the cavalry
now going out to South Africa is dis
carding the lance and carbine, and sub
shutting for these weapons rifles and
sabres. fter over years. fighting,
the authorities have woke up to the
utter uselessness of lances aud car
bines, considering that thousands Of
British soldiers have never seen a Boer
during the many engagements.
While Great Britain Ia tied hand and
foot to South Africa, the navy, which
is not escaping the wave OF criticism,
Is quietly increasing its strength and
morale. For months, both men and
ships have been kept 10 an unusual
state of readiness, and there are now
building in British yards no fewer than
ii battleships, 10 cruisers and ID
smaller vessels, totaling nearly 400, 600
tons. These exclude vessels which
have been tried, but are unfinished.
The gradual removal of the social
barriers which formerly restricted
English political and educational life
was never better instanced than by the
appointment this week of Joseph Owen
to fellowship at Oxf ord.
Six years ago, Mr.. Owen was O mill
hand at Oldham, helping to support
his POOR parents. He attended at night
the University Extension lectures and
SO much ability did he show that the
lecturers got up fund and sent him
to the great university, where, with
his wife, he settled down in a humble
cottage. He knew no Greek and little
Latin. His first success came when
he won the Brackenburg history
scholarship, to the surprise of many
learned, aristocratic competitors. Four
years Of determined up hill work
passed, and the final examinations drew
near. On position In these, depended
Mr.. OVENS whole future. A few weeks
before the ordeal, his young wife died
suddenly. Mr.. OWENS friends thought
IL impossible for him to acoompiish
anything, but the mill hands grit
stood the strain, and Mr.. Owen gained
the coveted first class, with the degree.
His appointment as extension lecturer
quickly followed, and Mr.. Owen
lectured where, six years preyious, be
had learned. The climax in his career
came this week, when Pembroke Col
lege elected Mr.. Owen, out OF oil the
Oxonians, TO the lucrative and honored
post OF fellowship.
There are few original pictures of
Gen. Washington In England; hence,
the discovery Of another miniature is
interesting. 1t is by Sam Folwell, and
ia dated 1901. Another, by tho same
artist, is now In the possession OF the
Historical Society OF Philadelphia,
dated 1916. The new find is supposed
to be an excellent likeness 1t repre-
sents Washington wearing a pigtail