Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-12
Mr.. Brodrick's Defense.

Mr.. Brodrick's Defense.
Quietly, undemonstratively, Mr.. Brodrick
gave a long list Of instances to show that
improvements were being effected in Pail
Mall-on the whole. however, rather a dull
story. Much has been said of reforms not
made, but nothing has been said about re-
forms which have been carried out" he
added bitterly. There was cheer led by
Mr.. Balfour. Indeed, the speech drew
forth many incidental expressions Of the
loyalty of Mr.. Balfour to his ministers. At
every convenient moment he cried Hear,
hear" cheering Mr.. Brodrick, and doing
his best to rouse applause. But the house
was against the war minister. There was
no doubt of that.
81 have set standard for the army"
said he. 'and carrying it into effect may be
at the cost Of a minister. That minister
will not have suffered In vain, however, if
the reform is carried out But I fsarlessly
submit my policy to the safe-keeping Of the
house Of commons" There was decision in
the speech. 1t did not rouse enthusiasm,
but it told plainly that Mr.. Brodrick had
his back to the wall and had no intention
OF surrendering.
Colonel Kemp gave an account of visit
to Colchester to watch the training. He
saw soldiers maneuvering in a good-sized
cricket field How do you teach your men
to take cover?" he asked the officers ''Oh!
We tell them to &c beyond the small orna-
mental trees which fringe the ground, and
pretend they are bigger" When the
chuckles which hailed this "Reminiscences
had ebbed, the colonel, in strtdent voice.
doomed forth, why, you might as well go
to Drury Lane and borrow their trees and
sylvan property as train men in the way
they are trained at Colchester
The colonel became hot-bloodedly indig-
nant at the neglect Of the intelligence de-
partment. AS the government knew, the
South African war was lneyitable-a, word
which the radicals rubbed in to the min.
int off
GERS sent out to prepare maps? He had,
been through the South African war. and
on the maps, he SAID, would often be writ
ten-"This map Is not to be taken as abso-
lutely accurate"-a somber humor not far
removed from the tragic! 49,
Never since the present government came
into power has it known SO sturdy an at
tack by it's customary supporters-an at
tack which never halted in it's determine
ton. The members Of the ministry sat
with folded arms. staring straight before
them, apparently Needless.
Fever Of Rebuilding.
1t Is curious to mark the fever of demol-
ishing and rebuilding which has taken pos
session of London since the Inauguration of
the great Holborn-Strand Improvement
Today l took a bus ride from Piccadilly
circus to the Kensington Church and passed
quite remarkable series of departed or
doomed landmarks. First of course, there
is the st. James Hall, the home of ballad
and negro singers joys. Nearly opposite,
a little above the aristocratic Church of ST.
James, there is a roomy, vacant place, the
future site of an American hotel, with all
possibilities of garish decoration and whir-
ring lifts. Lower down, on the same side
the Bath Hotel, long the haunt of respect
able county families on their visits to
town. and the fashionable Walsingham
House are already in course of disappear
ance to give room to great hotels on Ameri-
can lines.
acquisition Of two houses in st. Georges
place, that favored quarter with Its out
look on the row, to give place to q sta
tion for the New Brompton and Pccadiliy
railways. The station will be next door to
the house occupied by Baden Powelps
mother and which, for week, was sur
rounded by enthusiastic crowds on the oc-
casion Of the relief Of Mafeking. The mar
row thoroughfare at Wilton place, and
again the High street at Kensington, also
show huge gaps on which will be piled
monumental blocks of buildings for depart
ment stores and flats.
Christie's for a time lost it's reputation
as Saturday afternoon rendezvous Of the
fashionable and dllettanti. On Saturday
afternoon, however, the famous salesrooms
and dealers to witness the dispersal of the
collection OF pictures formed by the late Sir
Edward Page Turner of Brighton, who had
displayed excellent taste as well as q rare
precedence In his artistic purchases. A
charming little picture on panel. "A party
| fetched. f07O As, another and even smaller
| canvas by the same artist. wildly depicting
| the confusion Of opposing horsemen. and
| entitled "A Conflict OF Cavalry" realizing
| f662 los. A portrait OF Elizabeth. Duchess
| Of Parma. aunt Of Louis XVI. by ]. NJ.
| Nattier went for 1900 lbs Naod Riuor