New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-09-27

The watch on the British war vessel Con-
stance, lying at San Francisco, have received
orders to fire on any one approaching the ship
who does not answer the challenges satisfac-
torily. Apparently the commander does not
intend that any torpedos, bogus or otherwise,
shall be attached to his hull. We doubt if any
one wants to disturb the Constance. We doubt,
also. if it would be wise for the watch on any
English man-Of-war in American waters to
shoot at Americans simply because they come
nearer than an Englishman likes. IL the COM
mander of the Constance thinks she is not safe
in our barbors, he would do well 10 move on.
way of escape for the Conservative Cabinet
of Enga and out of the embarrassment caused
by the Roumelian troubles is suggested in The
TRIBUNEs cable dispatches. 1t is to assume
that circumstances have changed since Lord
BeacOnsield obtained the treaty of Berlin.
Then the Englishman feared that union in the
Balkan States would strengthen Russia on her
march toward COnstantinople. Now Lord
Salisbury may be able to assert
that the present situation indicates
the uprising of new nationality, Big Bulgaria,
which will not be Russian State. The idea
would be popular with the English people.
but there is no guarantee that, if Lord Salisbury
took that position, peace would be assured.
Russia would be greatly irritated by such a
turn in affairs.
The trouble between Spain and Germany
over the Carolines has been lost sight of in the
more pressing df6c llties in Eastern Roumelia
But il seems to be settled-probably to Prince
Bismarck's satisfaction. The selection of the
Pope as arbitrator of the dispute was direct
concession to Spain, because Leo XIII. can
hardly help leaning toward the most Catholic
sovereign of the most Catholic nation in
Europe AS is minated in a letter to THE
TRIBUNE from Paris, 1t ia not unlikely that this
dispute was stirred up by the willy German
diplomat in order to settle it in a way that
would make tho King OF Spain more firmly his
friend than befOre-just as shrewd persons in
social circles often offend some one slightly in
order to make deeper impression by q grace
full apology.
The Democratic attempt tn overthrow the
Civil Service law by a suit against the Com
missioners has proved unsuccessful. Judge
Wallace unceremonlou.ly told the complainant
that he had no standing in court that proceed
ings to test the rightto Office of public officers
could not be begun by private citizen in this
way. The question of the constitutionality of
the law was not directly raised In the argu.
ments yesterday, though the United States
Distrct-Attorney in his brief made the point
that the law does not restrict the power of the
President as it does not appoint any one TO
Office but only fixes the qualifications of
persons to be so appointed. The decision on the
motion argued, therefore, does not settle that
question, but virtually says that when DEM
ocrat, seeing the improbability of the appoint
mcnt to Office of the needy partisans Of his
political faith under system that makes them
prove their qualifications, desires to tear down
the barrier to their poitical Advancement he