Evening star., 1902-02-01
London Spectators Buying Heavily
of South African Stocks.
SIR ELLIS ASHMEAD BARTLETT
Great Collection Of Photographs
at Amateurs Exhibition.
LONDON NEWS AND GOSSIP
Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.

ENJOYS, but a curiously optimistic feeling
prevails in certain ministerial circles, and
the moderate and conciliatory tone of the
colonial secretary's last night in the house
of commons is taken, rightly or wrongly,
to be of good omen. In the lobby his latest
utterance was the subject of animated dis
cussion, and one fact freely commented
upon was his evident recovery of some
thing like his old nerve and self-confdence.
More than once last year he appeared to be
on the point of a breakdown, but there was
no sign of either physical or mental weak
ness last night.
If any credence, however, were to be
given to the stories about peace negotia-
tions it would be dispelled by the budget of
absurdties published this morning. From
Brussels comes the statement that several
English. gentlemen have arrived at q
hotel at The Hague, where they were visit
ed by the British minister, and 1t is added
that they are supposed to be officials of
the British foreign and colonial Offices
under assumed names. 1t scarcely needed
inquiry to be assured that the whole thing
Is farrago of nonsense. If it were true
Mr. Chamberlain's secretary might possi-
bly, be indisposed to say anything, but the
frank Skepticism with which the story has
been received in both departments is
suffcient guarantee of it's abSurdity.
Belief That War is Nearly Over.
Leaving these airy regions of speculation,
it is satisfactory to note growing feeling
that the end of this war, which has been
so often officially ended, may not, after all,
be far Off The city is not always a trust
worthy barometer in affairs of this kind.
The price of stocks is too intimately as
sociated with the fluctuations of the war
for stock exchange opinion to be trusted.
At the same time. it is a fact, as l ascer-
al Inn
have been buying largely in South African
stocks. This is a most significant crcum-
stance, and, coupled with the buoyant tone
generally of the African markets. points to
some undercurrent of opinion on the cont-
nent that has not yet taken more def
mite shape than financial confidence in the
future.
That all the energies Of both the imperial
government and the army in the field are
to be strained to bring the war to conclu-
sion before the coronation is a fact suf-
ficiently notorious. 1t is a consummation
devoutly wished by King Edward and one
that would be hailed with universal relief
and reclamation. But it is pointed out
that it would be supreme personal tri-
umph for the colonial secretary if the en-
emy could be induced to lay down it's arms
prior to this interesting event.
There is no doubt that recent events
have given the colonial secretary a much
higher place in the estimation of the tory
party. The plain fact of the matter is
that Germany is not loved by British public
men. When, after his famous interview
with the kaiser at Windsor, Mr.. Chamber
lain went about ''touting' for an alliance
with Germany the tories looked upon his
conduct with profound, if silent, dsapprov-
al. 1t was an excursion into the field of
foreign politics which they regarded with
grave misgiving. But sooner or later those
who ally themselves with Mr.. Chamber
lain have to take him on his own terms,
and he is clearly resolved to take hand
IN international controversies. His dis
~P D., la, L.
a lot of good, and people are already spec
ulating on what will happen if and when
Lord Salisbury retires.
Sir Ellis Ashmead Bartlett.
Sir Ellis Ashmead Bartlett, who died on
Saturday, will be greatly missed from the
house of commons. When he was made
civil lord of the admiralty, in 1885, cynic
said he was paid s1,0OO a year to keep his
mouth shut in the commons and to keep it
open when outside. The reference was,
Of course, to his magnificence as a plat
form orator and to his failure as a de-
batter at st. Stephens Few politicians had
so impressively the grand manner" Mr..
Chamberlain is as child in the art of
handling the monocle compared with him
who, appropriately enough, first struck
the attention Of the house as Member for
Eye
No examination will ever equal the eff
feet Ashmead Bartlett could produce by
same time drawing up his head when he
wished to convey that minister had made
a damaging admission. AS he passed along
the floor with swinging movement, one
seemed to see the public meeting and to
hear the crowds cheering him. The late
Sir Frank Lockwood caught that extra Or
binary combination of dignity and Self-as-
sertiveness in a drawing he made of Sir
Ellis as a prisoner in the bands of the
Greeks, at the time he was captured during
the Turko-Greek war. In the background
on either side Of the commanding figure,
stalking so majestically, was a small ma
tive soldier, and underneath was the leg
end:
And Ashmead Bartlett walked before
with gives upon his wrists.
Despite his infatuation in late years for
the Turks, many people were drawn to Sir
Ellis by the manliness with which he bore
his reverses. His opponents always male
the mistake of undertaking him. and imag-
lining that the primrose knight" could he
suppressed with ridicule. His personal in
fiuence over a large section Of his constitu-
ents was remarkable. He was born an
American in Brooklyn, and came early in
life to this country, to his relatives, who
educated him and his brother, who is the
husband Of Baroness Burdett-Coutts. His
own family was very poor.
Kings Visit to Earl Howe.
The kings visit to Earl Howe at Penn
House, Amersham, Is a new departure not
merely because for the first time on record
the sovereign went out Of town by the un-
derground railway, but because it is the
first time he has visited Lord Howe. His
majesty went for the shooting, which is ex-
cellent. Lord Howe is an amaible peer best
known as Viscount Curzon one of the
whips Of the conservative party The
Countess Howe is one of the beautiful
sisters of the late Lord Randolph Churc-
hill. The countess is one of the best lady
whips and drives a four-in- hand with un-
faltering courage and uffailing success.
She is favorably known at present for her
services In connection with the Imperial
Yeomanry Hospital.
Earl Howe's family enjoys descent from
the famous Penn, who went forth to Amer
ic and founded Pennsylvania. Another
branch Of the family is that to which be-
longs Lord Curzon Of Kedleston, the Vice
roy of India Lord Curzon's name by the
way, is rather in evidence just now as a
future rival to the Earl Of Rosebery. He
has one advantage over Lord Roseberv.
In that he holds an Irish peerage and
therefore Is eligible for the house of com
mons. Lord Curzon is also happy in he
ing without South African reputation
AS far as ] know, South Africa is one Of
the few places to which he has not ex
tended his travels. Nor has he uttered a
single word in public on the South African
question. and brilliant future at home is
exnecfed for him and hic ~, aryoo~ -