New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-29
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Copvright; 1889 BY The Neic- York Tribune.
Ionlon. Dec 2s.-Relations between England
and Portugal continue to occupy the public mind.
There is entire absence of excitement. though the
Foreign Office undoubtedly takes serious view
:, the situation Lord Salisburv's dispatches are
ansularly conciatorv in tone, but firm in sub
stsnce livery effort is being made to let Portu-
ssI down gently; but, gently or otherwise, down
.be will have TO come. says diplomatist high
in rank.
This mornings dispatch to "The Standard"
,oro New-York gives new interest TO the question.
The rumOrs current here, though not publicly
discussed of joint action by England and the
United States against Portugal, are partly con-
srmed by this dispatch. The American warships
arc said to have been ordered TO Lisbon by virtue
~ an understan nding between Mr.. Elaine and Lord
Salisbury Mr. Blaine's action being based on the
NcNurdo claim, which is set forth fully in this
dispatch. No editorial remark is made upon 1t.
Another New-York dispatch gives what purports
70 he Mr. Blaines denial of the story. while an
English note that looks sem-oicial, denies also
that the British feet from Malta has been ordered
into the Tagus
lisbon and London continues Arbitra-
,jon is talked Of vaguely. Major Serpa
Pinto has telegraphed an equally vague denial
nj the charges against him. evidence in support
of which is becoming steadily more complete,
The so-called strike of the South Metropolitan
,eas-stokers continues fresh manifesto from
the Central Strike Committee appears this morn
ing. but is of slight interest, except TO the men
themselves, who threw up good berths wluch
they have little prospect of resuming The mani
festo is altogether devoted to discussing ancient
history in the shape of the bonus system, against
which the men struck. There are two other
matters of pressing interest, the coal supply ana
the proposed strike against the Gasight and Coke
Company which supplies London north oil the
Thames Mr.. Michael Henry, who runs the
Seamen and Firemcns Union, has spent fortmshp
in Newcastle trying TO stop supplies OF coal 10 uhe
South Metropolitan Company. lie has not sue
eeeded. though Mr.. Livesey admits that ne mas
nut the company to some expense ana Irouole.
should he succeed. which seems unlikely, ali
ARRANGEMENTS are made for importing foreign coal
The other point is, or may be, far more serious.
Tho threatened strike north of the Thames dld
mot occur Yesterday as was feared, and as strike
,otices are by custom handed in only on Fridays
which are pav-days il will not occur for another
week But il is admitted that the leaders OF the
Gas Union are really considering whether theS
will or will not order out the 5000 or 9ooo WORK
,,cu employed by the Gaslight and Coke Company
,nd So as they hope leave nearly all OF the rich-
fSf
of London in darkness There is no dispute be-
tween these workmen and their employers. Inc
strike. if ordered, will take place in order to
coerce the South Metropolitan Company to sur
render. No act so wicked has been thought of
since Mr.. John Burns proposed TO stop work
throughout London in order TO get an extra penny
a dov for the dockcrs The Gas Union leaders
declare that the strike will be ordered unless Mr.
Ivesey accepts their terms, dlsmlsses the new
men whom he is bound in honor to keep, and re-
instates the whole body of present strikers. MT"
Iivesey and the whole board of directors are
nledoed 10 refuse There the matter stands
The Gaslight and Coke Company are supposed TO
be i'll able TO enter upon contest, but the press
is urging them 10 prepare at once for passions are
up the prestige of the unions is at stake, the men
are desperate, their leaders are restrained by no
regard for the public welfare, and anything may
happen.
The gas-stokers on strike do not find their paths
strewn all with roses. -Four of them came yes
terday in contact with the law. and all four
now have from one 10 two months each to THINK
IL over. Their zeal in behalf of trades-unionlsm
led them to assault the police who were protect
ing the new wOrkmen on their way
to the gas works Assauting the police IS an
amusement of which police magistrates take aus
tere views, whatever may be the social theories
or social standing of the assaulters. One sergeant
of police has conclusion of the brain, ana otherS
lesser injuries, as the result Of the gas-stoIerS
efforts. Most people think the sentence on these
ruiians lenient. The Socialist sheets think it
or rather call it-an outrage. The most violent
Of them all condemns it not less monstrous
than hanging a man for stealing sheep. Wier.
the compositor who advised the meeting in Hyde
Park that Mr. Livesey ought 10 be killed, has
not yet been prosecuted. but perhaps will be.
Mr. O'Brien's health seems not to have suffered
by his imprisonment The Governor of the Galway
Jail had the good sense TO treat his guest as e
spoiled child, rather than a martyr. He let
Mm nave ms own way about his clothes, fed
him wei, relaxed various prison rules in his
favor, and finally released him in better condition
than when he entered the walls four months ago
These official hospitalities were followed by those
Of bishops and archbishOps in Ireland but the
release attracts curiously little attention in Eng
land. Even his Gadstonian allies discourse upon
Mr.. OBrienS case but briefly, perhaps because
nobody cares much Tor politics during Christmas
week
The Liberal martyrs Of Crewe are not quite
such good martyrs as they were last week The
Board Of Directors of the London and Northwest
ern Railway have replied officially to the MARTYR
memorial Of the Liberal Town Councillors Of
Crewe, denying that they have ever interfered
WIN The political opinions of their employees or de-
slred any Interference. The charges in the memo
risl against the company's officers at the Crewe
"orks are they say, absolutely untrue and with
OUT foundation This letter is important, as it
anec'S the political freedom Of 10000 men The
hoetaIs' however, kept it a week, and published
Yesterday with reply saying that the direct
oi' uehidi Is ABSURD asking how il can be known
V"%v ue charges are untrue, and demanding a
pu'ho inquiry Such is political controversy
W "4a'e accusations are made and denied; then the
cIS o"o You must prove them untrue"
Inc operation OF the United States contract law
VI ioo' Is uie subject Of Parliamentary paper
Just Issued. and of lone comnIaint in "Tbe |