New-York tribune., 1902-03-18
WAR INQUIRY NOT LIKELY
HISTORY NOT EXPECTED TO REPEAT
ITSELF IN PARLIAMENT.
KRUEGER's PRIVATE SECRETARY GOING TO
SOUTH AFRICA-LORD WOLSELEY'S
JOURNEY.
Copyright; 1902: By The New-Yo-k THbune)

London, March IS l a. m.-History does not
always repeat itself Roebucks motion for
select committee TO inquire into the conduct OF
the War Office and the condition OF the army
in the Crimea carried by a majority of 100
and followed by the fal Of the Ministry.
All the talents of Lord John Russell would not
attempt any defence, but Mr.. Gladstone and
Lord Palmerston replied with vgor TO every
assault, and condemned the investigation
premature and unpatrotlc while the war
in progress. Sir Henry Campbell 8annerman
Yesterday introduced a motion similar 10 Roe
bucks. and the ministers adopted a line OF
/ defence analogous to that taken by Lord
Palmerston and Mr.. Gladstone. But the attack
Of the opposition not effective. and the
/ government was not in danger of overthrow al
though it could legitimately be satirized
a ministry of all the inefficencies. While the
necessity for full inquiry into contracts
and methods in South Africa was as urgent
Lord John Russell admitted in the Crimea. the
opposition too demoralzed to conduct a
successful demonstration Sir Henry Campbell
Bannerman failed TO make the best use Of the
ample material supplied from official sources
and spoke with little animation. Mr.. Labou-
chere was caustic rather than weighty, and the
debate dragged on the Liberal side. The debate
will be concluded tonight, but the result is a
foregone conclusion. as the Tory members will
not vote the government out of Office.
hear from The Hague that Mrs. Eloff, wife
Of Mr.. Krugers private secretary. sailed for
South Africa on Saturday and that her hus-
band expects to follow her speedily. The in
ference drawn by some people at The Hague is
that he will carry letters from Mr. KRUGER
which may have a decisive effect in ending the
war. The generalization is an elastic Sne but
without doubt well informed people at The
Hague are convinced that negotiations are in
progress, and peace nearer than is generally
supposed.
The Standard publishes a long telegram
from Pretoria giving graphic account OF the
Boer victory at Twebosch. The most interest
ing part Of the dispatch is that which describes
how the Beers charged Lord Methuens rear
guard. They came surging along at a hand
gaop, shouting and brandishing their rifles
and threatening by sheer momentum and
weight Of numbers to ride clean over and
through the rear guard. When they were 400
yards away the British opened fire with sue
cession Of volleys and the field guns came into
action with shell. The Beers replied with
heavy FIRE and continued to ride direct at the
rear guard They bore themselves with the
utmost courage and determination. so much so
that many of them rode right into the midst
Of the screen covering the march OF the column
The Standard" in a leading article. compares
this ride with the charge os the light brigade
Of Balaklava-
A good deal Of needless agitation has been
caused in the War Office by Lord Wolseley's
sudden descent upon South Africa The real ex-
planation of his Journey is that Lord Wolseley,
when feeling faded, met Sir Donald Currie and
learned that he would he sailing TO South Africa
within forty-eight hours. Lord Wolseley eX-
claimed:
You ought to take me with you"
Come on" was the reply. and Lord Wolseley
went at the shortest possible notice, It Is not
unlikely that ne viii see Lord Kitchener. and
obtain some side lights on the mysteries Of the
campaign. But Mr. Brodrck has no cause to
dread the appearance Of Lord Woseley
/ literary guerilla on the high veldt.
Dispatches from Plymouth announce that
Prince Henry3s voyage in the Deutschland
pleasant and uneventful. The weather had
been favorable and the Prince had fully recov-
cred from the fatigue OF his protracted journey
IN America. Passengers arriving for England
had pleasant things to say about him, and 1t
was evident that he was well satisfied with the
results Of what German journals now de-
scribing as a semi-diplomatic mission.
The Cunard agents do not expect the Etruria's
mails and passengers before Thursday morning
The proposed Anglo-AustraIian Parliamentary
cable chess match may have TO be abandoned
and chess enthusiasts in the House of Commons
are now suggesting a contest with the United
States. l. y. f.
SOUTH AFRICAN INQUIRY DEMANDED.
MOTIONS FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A
PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE
London. March lin the House Of Com
mons this afternoon Sir Henry Campbell-Ban-
herman, the Liberal leader, moved the appoint
ment OF a select committee 10 investigate the
whole commercial history Of the South African
war, including the contracts for the purchases
Of remounts, meat and forage and the contracts
for freight and transportation saying that in
so doing he was only fulfilling a moral duty and
echoing a sentiment deeply felt throughout the
country.