New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-02-17
THE QUESTION IN ENGLAND.

MARKS OF THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. BY THE
LONDON PREsS-UNUsUAL POSITIONS OF
PARTY ORGANS-INSTABILITY OF THE GLAD
STONE MINISTRY.
IRON TIE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRBuNEl
LoSpoN, Feb. 3-Mr. IIughess letter which
was sent YOU by the last post will have shown you only
100 clearly in what state Of mind moderate,
snable friendly Englishman finds himself at this mo
ntut on the subject OF the Alabama claims. You may
Judge from that what sort OF talk goes on among the
much larger class of Engshmen who are not moderate
but violent not sensible but passionate not friendly but
hostile now as formerly, and all that
That amazing animal, the BRITISH Lion, il II Que Of ls
hot fts 1t seems TO me, trying to look al the matter
rooy that the excitement and anger greater than
they have been at any time during the last five years
greater than they after Mr. Summers speech more
unreasonable, Illogical and therefore still more
likely TO keep possession of the British mind, and far
more pre- naut than then with misclievous conse
QueDces,
Iwrote sou month ago that the statement Of our
Case Geneva had produced great irritation, but had
seen a similar irritation subside once before.
II seemed then TO have the whole a
good Reflect the British temperament ana
20 far from ending fatally, had brought the
pubic that udcous and healhful state which led
10 the Treaty of Washington, and expression of
gre for past mlsdemeanOrs. But this is far om-
nous. Before, there time enough for the fever
10 cool. Now, uniucky, time is not side de-
csioD must be taken at OnceI fear has already been
taken-on the mOmentOus question whether the British
Government will will not with the Arbitration.
The question has been put day after day in newspapers
Of every shade Of opinion, and there IS hardly vara-
ton in the they give. in the tone Of it, 1t is
discussed officially and discussed everywhere in private
BY those whose duty is to answer the question officially
OF what has been said in Cabinet meetings do not pre-
tend 10 have any knowledge, but If the !who
pose the Cabinet talk in Cabinet meetings they talk
elsewhere, there can be little dOubt.whatthey to
do, or have done They who made the Treaty of Wash
Dgton some nine months since ready to tear it up
and toss the fragments back at with more less
polte invitation TO JOIN with them in making another
1hose papers which supposed TO receive inspra-
uohe RON the Ministry hold language which, OF ITSELF
would more than justify such inference. The Daily
1eHgrdph which al first Chat is suppose while Minis
tiers were making up their minds) treated the general
Alarm az unfOunded says that pretensions
not be for moment allowed by the English Govern
ment The general tone OF The Times has for days.
eOresponded with this latest declaration Of its cOtem
Poafy Yet The Times having, let us hope, learned dis
elon by its mistakes during war, has shown stu
nous moderation. Hardly offensive expression IA TO
oe Hound IN the long series of careful articles which 1T
mas published since Case into its hands. Alone
VI al the English journals, The Times has been supplied
viii The British Case. During the heated discussion,
10" some six weeks old, the rest of the English press
h~s presented singular spectacle 1t has had 10 take
second hand from the leading journal all its kDOwl
edge OF what it's Government had said and done at
"eneya Not pleasing attitude for papers some OF
WINCH and especially take pride in the intimacy Of
'nelr confidential relations with Ministers and which
are more in the habit Of beating The Times in early intel
nsence than Of being beaten by it Within the last day
" two they have been allowed the precious docu-
neut II must De said also for The Times that IL has
seemed 10 feel the gravity Of the situation and the
responsibility laid upon 1t by the Government.
Mas rather sought for way out Of the difficulty than
lot means Of provoking fresh discussions subject
unhdppiy only too fruitful Of them in the past. so
much let me say in Justice 10 old enemy.
After saying which. it is particularly painful 10 have
70 add that Old friend, The Dads Ners is anOnc
those journals which find for M. pub
hshed on Tuesday the most violent article thai has
appeared in any British newspaper II describes ON
demands astounding and obviously insdinssibe, aud
again a. wild inquiries whether the ritsh Government
nave been tfckcd and duped by their cupabe neg
hgence, or whether the American state Of dana e
L. prepOstorOus invention for which reasonable
cause can be found previous negotiations and insists
mat the Treaty demands instant and minute ,On.
ik Subsequent articles nave been cOuched o. the same
pereDptoIy and dciatorial tone. one would
almost suspect they had been written for Tie Sqnoa.6
hhd by some strange got printed IN he Do Ns,s
c1uiJ eHoagh, The NOr,Lg Ios Jamc:ttcI.'s o.b IT.