New-York tribune., 1881-12-25
CURRENT TOPICS IN LONDON.

CURRENT TOPICS IN LONDON.
WHAT THE PAPERS ARE SAYING OF MR.. BLAINE9
pIspATCH-rHE EsTHETIC MOVEMENT FREELY
DISCUSSED IN THE LONDON PRESS OSCAR
WILDE FOLLOWING THE STAR OF EMPIRE.
fBY CABLE TO TRIBUNE.l
LONDON. Dec. 24-Articles continue to appear
in the daily and weekly press indicating that the
irritation produced by Mr.. Blalnes Panama dis
patch is deep and lasting. The Spectator Whlch oe
fore the dispatch was published was disposed 10
Justify the American clam, still urges that the SUD-
stance of the demand is less unreasonable than lts
contemporaries assume but it trusts that Lord
Granville. in replying will notice the quite extra
ordinary discourtesy of Mr.. Blaines tome ana
afirms that it is nearly impossible to do business
with Government which admits and repudlates IN
the same breath treaty rights and addresses yaunt-
ing paragraphs about its limitless, irresistible
military strength to a Power whose rights on the
American continent are older than the United
States.
A COMPROMISE PROPOSED.
The Economist, which always discusses inter
national questions with great sobrlety, excuses
the arrogance OF tHo uLSpdsSh III VN''i''
CALLING than any complaint and quotes Lord Palm
erston as saying that the American Government is
allowed to take liberties in dispatches because
such documents are often mere speeches. 1t re-
marks that Mr.. Blaine alludes, in style which III
Europe isnot considered permissible, TO the military
power of the Union and declares that the whole
dispatch read to the representative of sovereign
ruling half America is such as if sent by any
European Power, would involve serious menace
Mr.. Blaine, it says. asserts repeatedly and rudely
that the United States occupy some position OF I'M
approachable loftineSs enabling them to dispense
as one SEES with the most ordinary courteses, yet
The Economist urges Lord Granville TO disregard
all this and TO consider the demands on their
merits 1t holds British rights under the treaty
as indspuabe and obviously just, but it advocates
O compromise. suggesting to declare the canal, ex-
cept for the purposes of toll part of the high seas
hear and read numerous expressions OF satisfaction
that Mr.. Blaine, heretofore much respected in Eng
land retres from the management of foreign affairs
Englishmen readily believe the American dis
patches that appear in the press and the pubic
generally condemn Mr.. BlaInes language
THE IRISH LANDLORDS MEETING.
The admitted failure of the Irish landlords meet
ing on Thursday is alleged to be due to the hostility
of the Conservative press which has determined to
prevent a formal demand for compensation. and to
leave the question open till the meeting of Paria
ment. Another still more striking indication of
the Conservative policy is the letter of the Duke Of
Marlborough to the Lord Mayor in reference to the
Mansion House Fund. Referring sneeringly TO the
eleventh hour" at which the Mansion House
offers its valuable support" he ridicules the
notion that any voluntary agency cope with the
disaffection and lawlessness into which Ireland
has been allowed to degenerate The Dukes letter
was apparently written after consultation with
other Conservative leaders, and is intended to
further the purpose of making party capital ont OF
the Irish troubles and to dissOciate Conservatives
from the failure of the Lord Mayors subscription
failure largely due to the antagonistc attitude Of
the Government.
MIR. sHAW's LETTER.
Irish Liberals on the other hand, even Home
Rulers are rendering fresh support TO the Govern
ment. Mr.. Shaws letter explaining his withdrawal
from the Home RUE League is remarkable mani
fcsto He pronounces Home Rule impossible, and eX-
pressly declares that the Land Act, III the opinion
of the immense majority of the Irish people, has set
tied the land question. He deprecates agitation
which can bring only disaster to Ireland, pointing
80 reforms and industrial prosperity not separation,
rs the true remedy for Irish grievances.
THE APPEAL FOR THE CONVICTED BRIBERs.
The bribery memorials presented to Sir William
Harcourt yesterday were numerically strong, but
arc reported to contain few representative names,
no Peer or Member of Parliament of high political
rank having signed them. The press, with few
exceptions throughout the country, disapproves OF
the memorial, aud nobody expects that pardon
will be granted.
TIE GUIrEAU TRIAL.
The Times continues to publish conspicuously the
most discredltabe details of the Guiteau trial,
which other papers, far enterprisinG with real
news. omit These accounts prolong and deepen
the painful impression first created and are likely to
afix permanent stigma to America courts.
OSCAR WILDE COMING WESTWARD.
Oscar Wilde sails to-day IN the Arizona. An ami
mated discussion sprung up just before his depart
ure on estheticsm the papers publishing letters
on both sides The aesthetics complain Of the ridicule
attached to a movement embodying real artistic
education. Their opponents reply that if real it
viii survive Mr. Gilberts nonsense and Du Mau-
Iier's skilful satire. The Standard to-day
sums up the Philistine case, but admits
that esthetieism, when its extravagancies
and affectations are pruned away will be found to
Iaxzo tod fnr tha heau uof ri hat