The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-13
ADVENTUROUS STATESMEN.
British Politicians Who Served I'm
South Africa and Elsewhere.

Philadelphia Ledger.
The British House of Commons Is emil
nently a peaceful looking assembly, yet IL
includes among it's members men who have
had their full share of deadly peril and
DARING adventure, says the Montreal Star.
The fighting in South Africa proved that
there were politicians who were quite as
ready TO do their part In battle as in Pariia-
ment- Several honorable gentlemen who
have now returned TO peaceful pursuits
saw desperate fighting on the veldt and
one, at least, Was recommended for the
coveted V. c. This was Claude Lowther
who went to the front with the Imperial
1eomanry, acted as aide-de-camp TO Sir
Charles Warren, and rescued a comrade
under terrific fire during the fight at
Faberspruit. Winston Churchill's adven-
lures during the war are fresh in peoples
minds But the young member for Oldham
had seen hard fighting long before Briton
and Boer appealed to the arbitrament of
the god of battles. He fought with the
Spaniards In Cuba, saw service with the
Malakand field force, and was at Omdur-
man with the Twenty-first Lancers, whose
famous charge on that memorable day will
not readily be forgotten.
Another NJ. p who distinguished himself
greatly during the late war is Major j. E
Is. Seely, who represents the Isle of Wight
at 81. Stephens. Major Seely gained the
ID. s. o during the campaign. and the
manner I'm which he and handful of Yeo-
many covered the retreat OF their com
rades, who had suddenly come upon a large
party OF concealed Beers, won them un-
stinted praise. Major Seely is also one of
the crew OF the Tolland bay lfeboat and IT
Is not strange that I'm the Isle OF Wight
they think highly of his courage Some
time back he swan with a line from the
Hfeboat TO a sinking French ship and was
thus instrumental in saving nine lives For
this act OF galfantry he received. the thanks
or the French government, and he enjoys
the distinction of being the only lifeboatman
in Parliament John Burns, however has
saved a man from drowning. In his younger
days the member for Battersea was engf-
neer on board a steamer In the Niger and
on the cry OF Man overboardi" being
raised. he jumped into the river and eff
Sir William Allan, the veteran member
for Gateshead. once made the acquaintance
OF the inside OF a prison a result OF his
love for adventure. When a young man
a good deal OF the world. and faced many
perfls OF the sea. During the war between
the Northern and the Southern States the
young Scott engaged in the exciting yet
dangerous pursuit OF blackade running but
on one eventful night the steamer OF which
he was chief engineer fell prey TO a fed
eral cruiser. The engine room where Sir
William remained awaiting his fate was
invaded by a Yankee officer, who hearing
an ominous rush OF water. jumped 10 the
erroneous conclusion that the young engf-
neer was sinking the ship With a fierce
gesture the federal leveled his revolver at
the head Of the Scot. but IL was not fated
that the latter should die that day and
though he suffered Imprisonment for his
blockade-running exploits, he was ultimate
~ little the worse for the experience
No man in the House OF Commons has
had a more adventurous career than Mr
j. j. O'Kelly, the member for Roscommon
Forty years ago Mr.. O'Kelly enlisted in
Frances Foreign Legion and saw fierce
lighting with the Arab tribes OF Algeria. a
year or two later his regiment was ordered
TO Mexico 10 support the Inflated Emperor
Macmillan, and here, after taking part
in number or engagements, the young
Irishman was made a prisoner by the
enemy. Mr.. O'Kelly, however, escaped,