New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-12

fBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.
t,epyr1oht; 1888 By The Netr- York Tribune
London, Dec 1l.-Sundry more or less improb-
able rumors about the American Minister have
lately found their way into print and others may
be heard in private. A telegram, what purports
to be telegram, from New-York, says it has been
known there for some time that Mr.. Phelps is not
comfortable in London since the Sackville affair.
This is entirely erroneous. The Sackville affair
has made no difference in Mr. Phelpss personal
relations with the British Government with
any member Of it. They have always been cordial,
never more so than now. If all goes well he VIII
remain here till his successor is appointed by
President Harrison. But all will not go well if
Lord Salisbury persists in his notion of not ne
placing Lord Saclxvile during President Cleve-
lands Administration. If the British Legation at
Washington be left in charge of third secretary,
it would not consist with the dignity Of the
United States to retain Minister at London. Mr..
Phelps will in that ask for leave of absence
and go home. Thus far no official intmation has
been received from Lord Salisbury, nor is it KNOWN
whether he will keep to his hrst purpose.
Professor Bryce's book, The American Com
monwealth' is, l presume, published by Mac
millans, in America, as in London to-day.
therefore only describe the reception it meets
with in England Professor Bryce himself
is so well known in literature and in
public life that any book from him
is sure to he seriously discussed. Especially is
this true of an elaborate work on American lnstl-
tuiions. Every body will again begin talking about
the United States. " The Standard" which likes
neither Profess Bryce's political opinions nor
American institutions acknowledges his ability,
learning and scholarship, and accepts him as
most instructive and phlosophic guide through
the mazes Of American politics. What pleases
the Tory organ is not eulogy OF things American,
in which Professor Bryces book is not deficient,
but his criticism on American Democracy. Two
Of these have been carefully selected the basis
of to-day's editorial. lie speaks Of the lower
tone of public life in America Why, cries our
Tory friend, in this phrase alone are con-
centrated nearly half the objections which have
ever been urged against the democratic spirit.
Professor Bryce finds in America certain CON-
monness of mind and tone. a want OF dignity
and elevation in and about the conduct of public
sfairs, insensibility to the nobler aspects and
finer responsibilities Of national life. This is
quoted with delight. So is the assertion that the
best men in America stand aloOf from politics.
On these two texts the Tory preacher enarges
after his usual fashion oldest of all is the COM
plaint that sner. is no poetry in American politics
Perhaps not. But neither do English politics
l.
The Liberal vicw. as expressed in The Daily
News. is less narrow and less hostile than the
Tory, but not free from the comic element. 1t
is the absence Of ideas and conclusions which
seems to this liberal Brton one of the most
praseworthy features of the book The author
Is applauded because he observes and registers, and
leaves Others to Judge His nationality and modern
training adds this philoSophic critic save him from
De Tocquevile's besetting sin of generalization.
Precisely. If there be one thing an Englishman
holds more in adherence than another it is
principle applied to politics. The Daily News
however. secs. and is fair enough 20 say, that
Professor Bryce does express an opinion on the
general question, How does Democracy answer?
He thinks it answers very well.
The Liberal like the Tory, both borrowing from
Arnold, complains of the want Of Distinction in
America. This writer's idea of distinction in
style may be gathered from tO-day's editorial
sentence: Even sceptics confess America the
most portentous Of phenomena. now that our
imports from the Union include duchesseS as
well as breadstufs and salt pork"
The Tines" has no notice Of the book. The
evening papers of both parties discuss it. The
Pail Mall Gazette" calls it the event of the year
In the literary world and thereupon perpetrates
one of the unlucliest comparisons on record
wondering whether Professor Bryces book
Gibbon did for the Roman Empire.
What Gibbon did for the Roman Empire was
to write the history of its decline and fall " The
St Jamess Gazette in an article headed " Tri-
umphant America" expresses its wonted cynical
dislike OF the Union. The Globe is more
friendly All these discussions are, however,
premature. No reader really have mastered
these three big volumes of over two thousand
octave pages.
Fighting was expected at Sualdm to-day, but
may be delayed to await the arrival Of fresh
troops, on their way from Cairo The dispatch
of these reinforcements is spoken Of as iustfying
Lord Randolph Churchilrs motion last week. 1t
justifes perhaps, his opinion of the military sit
uation but not the method he took TO press his
opinion ON the Government Nothing is better
settled than that the conduct of military opera
tions is outside the sphere Of Parliament Bet
ter that British battalion should have been
sacrificed at Suakm than to turn the House of
Commons into a Council of War. To establish
the precedent for which Lord Randolph contended
would have ruined the military service.
Lord Randolphs journey TO South America is
notice to all the world he does not expect or
desire TO re-enter the present Ministry. He
Will be absent from January 10 May, and the Ses-
sion Of 1889 will be half over before he returns.
There arc sanguine people including Sir Charles
Russell, who believe the Parnell Commission will
have finished its work by that time Irritation
against Lord Randolph. now widespread among
Tories on account of the recent Suakim incident
will have had time TO subsdc. At present, though
the incident is week old, and though various
explanations of Lord Randolph's action have been
published by himself and his friends the anger
of his party against him has not abated. His
intention is to sail up the Pacific Coast to San
Franc,c and come home via New-lor
Parliament is still wrestling with the Irish
estimates Yesterday. after six hours debate on
a single item, Mr. Balfour moved and carried the
closure. Thereupon Mr.. Labouchore called out: