Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-17
George Wyndham, the English Apollo

wonder that he is being hailed In EngianA
as the probable next premier.
Notwithstanding all his political activity,
the secretary of state for Ireland has
found time to develop the literary gifts
that he first displayed in his campaign
with the pen against Mr.. Balfour's Irish
disparagers. He has won much distinc-
ton by means of his essays, and introduce
tions contributed by him to new editions
of Plutarch and Shakespeare's sonnets
have gained high praise. He also has
written some uncommonly good verse.
Recently it has been limited that Mr.. Wynd-
ham was writing a novel, but the rumor
has vet to be confirmed. 1t was George
Wyndham who first drew general atten-
ton in England to Stephen Crane py
brilliant magazine article on THE Red
Badge of Courage"
Mr.. wyndham's career shows only one
great disappointment. That occurred ia
1895. when Lord Salisbury was choosing
cabinet to succeed Lord Rosebery's omclai
family 1t was thought that the frleno-
ship of the premier's nephew, Mr.. Ballour'
for Wyndham made him certain OF port
folio. But too many of Mr.. Chamberlalns
friends had to be accommodated in order
20 make sure of the Birmingham chiefs
allegiance, and Mr.. Balfour proved un-
eoual to the task of bringing him into the
cabinet.
The disappointment was a severe one,
and many men would have sulked under IL.
George Wyndham, however, did nothing OF
the sort To occupy himself he TOOK up
the study of the South African situation
as it was then and for some time made
the southern part of the Dark Continent
his speciality.
Finally changes came in Lord Salisbury's
cabinet with the result that Wyndham
was chosen to fill one of the vacancies
that of under secretary for war; Win LOT"
Labsdowne as his chief
To the young politician the honor was
n great one, but, in ordinary circumstances
the new under secretary would have had
small opportunity of attracting attention
10 himself However, there began the war
IN the Transvaal, which completely changed
the aspect of things. Wyndham touno
himself one of the most carefully watched
men in the government. He knew 1t was
his great chance and he took advantage
of it. Soon his remarkable speech in sup
port of the war office, when Lord Lans-
downe's blunderings were enabling tho
Beers to gain victory after victory, drew
national attention to the young man who
had practically saved the government from
disaster, and his political future was Sc
cured.
When his old chief, Mr.. Balfour. became
premier, Wyndham wac made secretary OF
state for Ireland
He is just 40, an age that, in the House
of Commons is not uncommonly regarded
as one of discretion. He is a member OF
Parliament for Dover. a fact that makes
him also a director Of the London, Chat
ham e. Dover railway, one of the most
important lines in the country.
Although Mr.. Wyndham has handsome
young son of his own, he is a great chum
of his stepson, the duke of Westminster, a
rather hot-headed strong-willed youth OF
the kind that would not be able to get or
well with the ordinary sort of stepfather
The young duke is brother-in-law of Mrs
CORVALLIS West who, before her second
marriage, was Lady Randolph Churchill.