New-York tribune., 1873-08-04
vol. XXXIu.....No, No,1O,OS9
BRITISH TOPICS.
NOTES FROM THE BRITISH CAPITAL.


THE BUILDING TRADE.
vFRoN THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
LONDON, July 19.-The supposition that the
English Government knew nothing about the Persia con
Reuter- had been granted
De- officially confirmed. Earl Granville has stated this
week the House OF Lords that he first heard OF 1t from
Baron Reuter- himself last September But my conec-
ture that the English Government though too indoent
20 nd out anything about the matter till the bargain
was struck would 20 reap the benefits Of it,
dd much credit 70 their policy. did less than JUS
tice 70 Baron Reuter- and more than Justice to the
Foreign Once II appears that Baron Reuter- mas
looked at his concession as an Englshman might look
t H. that he considers himself by residence and interest
an EngishmAn and that when he got his concession ne
took Il Granville and offered hm the opportunity
10 gather the political benefit Of It for Enfland Hou
would say Lord Granville jumped at the offer. All
the world knows that it depends on thls
concession and the way in which is worked whether
Persia Is 70 become political dependency OF England
OF political dependency Of Russia, and that cohtro
ing influence over Persia additional guarantee Tor
that great Indian Empire which the imperial position
Of England depends in great But Lord Gran
yie so far from jumping at the Offer or congratulating
himself that Baron Reuters loyalty had placed again
In his hand the great chance which the stupidity OF ms
heran representative had allowed TO slip out OF it, re-
peIed tho proposal He treated 1t as commercial
speculation and-but let Lord Granville speak ior lW-
self After due consideration" he says, of the sub
iect and consultation with my colleagues the answer
cave the Baron was that it would give Her Majesys
fovernment great to railways and roads
developed in Persia but thatt was altogether out OF our
usual course to protect officially commercial under
taking Of that sort"
RCoud anything be more Englishi "No precedent Tor
L." That Is what Lord Granvlle's answer amounts TO-
On the subject OF the concession he held the same IAN
Vuageentirely in conformity with the views OF his col
cagues-to all who had spoken to him IN reference to IT,
To the Persian Envoy and Baron Reuter- what he said
sfrfc CoVar -np nj
the strongest wish for the prosperity OF Persia and be-
neyed that that prosperity would be developed by ma
terial Improvement in the means OF communication; /;
that an arrangement might, perhaps, be arrived at
such as was cOntemplated-which would be mutually
beneficial 70 Persia on the hand aud TO the capital
Iss concerned the other but that il was impossible
that Her Maestys Government could give TO either the
one party or the other any advice with reference to the
terms of such commercial agreement. They could not
give it material supports and with regard to moral sup
port of which be had heard so much, he confessed he
mad never been able to find out what was meant by
those who used the term.
In a speech marked by rare elevation Of view Lord
Crnarvon had previously pointed out that if England
held aOof Russia and Russia alone would step in, and
that foothod in Persia was the greatest OF all
perils to India Lord Napier and Erich followed In
similar view, but 10 no purpose. The yardstek is the
only measure Of policy which the Foreign Office knows,
and the maturing of threemolths bill the utmost limit
Of its political foresight am sometimes half tempted
10 wish the days come again when there was real
aristocracy in England With all its faults 1t made
England great power and it would neither endure
numatous for fear Of possible war, nor let an empire
slip from its grasp from mere short-sighedness or
from apprehensions Of collapse the Stock Exchange
meaning OF it an says The Spectators journal
which knows. a moderate computation ten times as
much about Indian affairs as the Government" that
Mr. Reuter- TO do he kes and Instead OF taking his
assistants from the crowds Of Indian officers wanting
work, take them from Russia, which win thus ex
plOre thoroughly, besides flooding her with SOL
ders the guse Of cappers for the worka situation
very disastrous for trade which Mr. Reuter- can at
any moment put under heavy duties" It's hope of
Averting a calamity lies in the Indian Government,
"whoh fortunately is not the English, but knows what
is about and, If alarmed will have little scruple in
making Persia dagreeabe place Of residence both for
Baron Reuter- and the Russians"
The prediction that the Government would advise the
Crown merely formal assent to the address
OF the House favor of international arbitration has
been fulfilled quote verbatim the following extraor
dinary account OF what happened Thursday;
"Lord Otho Fitzgerald. Controller OF the Household
appeared at the Bar and, having been called by the
Speaker, advanced " The table, and said: humble
address having been presented By the order OF the
House with reference 10 tue subject Of Arbitration, a
commanded by the Queen to communicate Her MaJestys
gracious as follows: i have received your ad-
dress pray log that will be graciously pleased TO IN
strue ny Principal Secretary OF state for Foreign Al
fairs O enter into communication with foreign powers
viii view 10 further Improvements IN lnJefndUOna
law ana the establishment OF general and permanent
system Of international arbitration. am sensible OF
the force OF the phianthrOpc motives which have dc
taed our address. nave at al tlmes sought 10 e&
tend both by advice and Dy example as occasion might
Une the practice OF closing controversies between pa
tons by submission 10 the impartial Judgment OF friends
ano T. encourage tue adoption Of international rules IN
tended Tor the equal benefit OF all shall continue TO
pursue simar course with due regard TO time and OPP
ptuny, When II shall seem hkely 70 lie attended WIN
xition."
That is called by one paper politely ignoring" the
prayer Of the House should say II very impertl-
nenty advising the House mind its business The
House asked the Crown to instruct Lord Granville TO In
Yite Foreu Powers TO Join with England in establishing
system OF arbitration Usage makes such vote
IN the nature Of instruction TO the Government 1hey
treat With contempt and reply substantially that they
WI do what they think best when they think best IL
only one more evidence Of the demorazed state OF
the House, the Government, and politics generally
An Instructive commentary this condition OF
hngsthough not addressed at all TO this pointand an
explanation Of the processes which have brought IL
about, viii be found in letter published IN me Dd"V
Se Of yesterday The letter Is long, but Is worth tne
attention OF anybody who studies Enghsh pontlcs anu
especially Of ANYBODY follows with solicitude the
totunes Of the Liberal party 1t is most vigorous and
lucid exposition OF the pOcical situation from the lnue
pendent Liberal point Of view. wish II could DC re-
gsred an authorized manifesto OF the NoneonIoris
wing Of the party IL is too outspoken " pe haoe 'ne
platform OF any coherent body In politics. All the same
VIII show Mr. Gladstone how deep Is the oissa'isiac
ton with his prescott policy Of carrying on the Govern
uent by concating the Opposition and estrangng his
own supporters.
II IA "as You we're" after all, and we have had our
nght for nothing is 10 be strike The master
builders have gwen way The men get practcv, every
thing they want. They are 20 kuock OIL worK at ~
on Raturdays and 10 be paid at u at the shops ana aros
ana elsewhere as soon after practicable according
fha nj