The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-07-14
CRITICS ARE VERY BUSY
WORRYING THE BRITISH WAR Of
FICE 18th OPEN STRUCTURES.
Much Dissatisfaction Over the Conduct
of the south African War-kitch-
ener May Be Recalled.

LONDON, July 13.-The Vlakfontein in
cident has come near to spelling Water
loo for the government. An apparently I'M
important incident, the incident of one
OF the newspaper dispatches. has had the
effort of crystallizing all the widely differ
ing sorts Of public dissatisfaction concern
ing the conduct of the war in South Africa.
The dissatisfaction has long been pent up
and now finds free vent, not, strangely
enough. through the columns of the news
papers, but in the government journals.
For months past the public belief in and
admiration for Lord Kitchener have been
waning and now he is openly and severely
criticised. A rumor, which cannot be sub
stantiated, is current that he will shortly
be succeeded in the command of the Brit
ish forces in South Africa BY General Sir
Bindon Blood, who has been operating in
East Transvaal. Should this change occur
it would probably be due to the differences
of opinion existing between Lord Miner.
or Cape Town, and Lord Kitchener, and ii
would be announced in the form of promo
ton, accompanied by the statement that
the operations in South Africa no longer
justified the presence there of an officer of
the seniority of Lord Kitchener. There is
little doubt that Lords Miner and Kitche-
ner have had several disagreements, and
the high commissioner does not want 10
return to South Africa as long as the hard.
high-handed General Kitchener remains in
control there.
Amid the storm OF disapproval resulting
from the Vlakfontein affair and which the
governments supporters are pouring upon
the War Office on account of the suppress
sion of news and the fragrant vagaries of
the censorship. the Liberal party. through
its hopeless differences of opinion. is
obliged TO sit stupidity and see the best OPP
portunity probably ever offered pass out
Of their hands. The extraordinary spectacle
has been presented OF an advanced radical
newspaper, the Daily News, patting the
War Office and Lord Kitchener on the back
for suppressing the story of alleged Boer
outrages 10 British wounded, while the
Times and other government, though less
s~atrical, organs ike them, say the feeling
aroused in the general public who have up
TO this time blindly and enthusiastically
supported the government war policy can
scarcely be estimated.
Officials OF the War Office are more wor-
the war and they are working strenuously
TO explain the mistake. The incident which
has awakened in the public mind an eager
ness. most unfortunate for the government,
10 know the details of operations and an
ever-increas sing dissatisfaction with the
progress of the British arms in South
Africa.
Prominent members Of the Conservative
party believe that If their party had TO
go to the country now IL would be de-
feated, provided a semblance OF opposition
could be mustered.
In this connection there is some talk of
the possibility OF a new Liberal organiza-
ton. consisting Of a commission OF the old
Liberal Cnionists and the Liberal Imperial
lists. many OF whom would like to see a
Cabinet including Lord Rosebery. the Duke
OF Devonshire president OF the CounciD,
Joseph Chamberlain colonial secretary,
and III. II. AsouIth Qeader OF the Liberal
Imperialists), which some men believe
may eventually be feasible.
Sir Charles Dixie, advanced Radical mem
Der of Parliament, speaking at Forest If
Dean. Worcestershire, this evening. said
Mr. Chamberlain must indeed De an opti-
mist. Having entered Parliament as an
advanced Radical. twenty-five years ago.
: he has been advancing ever since II is a