New-York tribune., 1902-03-14
SOUTH AFRICAN RUM0RS
MEIHUEN'.S DEFEAT REVIVES
THEM IN LONDON.
MR.. RHODES'S LTH-MEMBERSHIP
OF ATLANTIC UNION TREBLED-
RIFLE CLUBS FOLLOW Mr..
ASTOR'S GIFT.
Copyright; 1902: By The Tribune Association }
Especial to The Tribune by French Cablel


Copyright 1902: By The Tribune Association,
Especial The Tribune by French Cahe1
London, March A. l a. m.-The rumor mon
gers are proiting by the lack of detailed in
formation respecting the military situation in
the Transvaal They are repeating silly inven-
tions about the recall of Kitchener. the return
of Lord Roberts to South Africa and the pro-
motion of French as commander in South
Africa. These reports dismissed with con-
tempt by officials and military men as even
more prepOsterous than the assumption that De
La Rey will re-establish the siege of Mafeking
or make dash for Johannesburg. Lord Sails
bury has decisive influence in determining the
selection of the commander of the forces in
South Africa. and Lord Kitchener has been his
favorite general from the outset. 1t was Lord
Salisbury who suggested the appointment of
General Kitchener Lord Roherts's chief of
staff when General Buffers campaign went
wrong after COlenso. and there is evidence
that the Prime Minister is dissatisfied with the
results Of recent operations. Information is
qmred respecting the column which Lord
Methuen expected to join when he set out from
Nryburg. but otherwise there has been no ap-
prehension on the part of the military
thorites of serious results from the recent de-
feat, which mainly due to a panic among
the unseasoned' yeomanry. 1t seems probabe
however, that the number of Beers under De
Wet who succeeded in breaking through the
British blockhouse lines considerably larger
than official reports indicated. and that juno
ton may have been effected with De La Rey.
Mr.. Brodrick's statement in the House of
Commons yesterday that Lord Methuen has
been released has caused as much surprise as
satisfaction It had been generally believed that
De La Rey would hold Methuen prisoner pend
ing the decision of the British Government re-
garding Kritzinger or at all events until he had
communicated with General Botha. 1t is not
yet clear whether Methuen has been given full
freedom or merely been released parole. In
some quarters II is suggested that General
Kitchener by hustng De La Rey has compelled
him to abandon his prisoner But 1t is unlikely
that the British general is al present in a posi-
tinn to concentrate a force large enough to COM
pei De La Rey TO hurry in retreat Probably Mr..
Broderick is in possession OF more information
the point than he deems II prudent to dis
close Just yet.
The newspapers are puzzled 10 account for the
release Of General Methuen but they generally
give credit to De La Rey for acting with great
moderation. courtesy and tact. The Daily
Mail" expects to see either General Cronje or
General Vnjoen returned to the Beers in
change for the British general.
young Berlin physician. Dr. Ludwig Fem
berg, has made an important discovery of inde-
pendent animal organisms in cancer growths.
This discovery. he says. means a diagnosis or
cancer.
The debate in the House Of Commons last
night not very important. but IT was inter
esting showing how the Irish question is re-
turning to its old place in British politics.
The South African market was again dis
turbed yesterday by premature reports Of the
death of Cecil Rhodes Conditions OF public
opinion respecting Mr. Rhodes have been greatly
modified since the Jameson raid. South Afri-
cans agree that his influence will be most bene-
fetal in healing the race feud after the war. and
that a fatal termination of his illness will be
little less than a disaster.
Mr. Balfour's friends urging him TO take
been fully recruited.
The Atlantic Union, which was established a
gether the various English speaking peoples. had
its annual meeting yesterday In the House of
Lords. II announced by Lord Aberdare
who presided. that the membership Of the union
had trebled during the last year. Lord Monks
well was elected president in succession to Lord
Aberdare
Rife clubs are springing up in all directions
the result of Mr.. Astor's gift of 100000 to the
National Rifle Association. /. n. F.
KINGS VISIT TO RIVIERA ABANDONED.