New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-09-23
lBY CABLE TO THE rRIBUYE.l
tcopvyiont: 1891: By tn. Tribune AnoeiaasnJ

London, Sept. 22.-For the reason, PROBABLY
that nothing succeeds like success. public opinion
here has swung very definitely round to the side
of Japan In the early stages OF the dispute not
many Engshmen here anxious to see the
undoubted success OF a barbarous nation like the
Chinese, but II generally conceded that
Japan was the unprovoked aggressor, and that
China had often placed herself in line with Eng
land in regard to recent issues which concerned
that country and Russia or France. Hence Ja-
pan entered upon the conflict without much en-
thIslasm the part Of the British nation. The
skill with which Japan has won two great en-
gagements on land and sea has, however. aroused
no little admiration. especially in the Services.
where the work Of the japanese commanders y
best understood.
The practical issues OF the weeks fighting are
much discussed In the newspapers by naval
men, The engagement at the mouth Of the Yaloo
River is regarded as an important object-lesson.
as showing by the experience Of the Chen-Yue
the value of big battleships and how readily
also not few ronclads can be sent to the bot
tom especially with stronger or more modern,
navies than those OF China and japan. This
Illustration comes at an opportune moment De-
cause there is just now crying demand among
naval authorities for increasing the personnel
OF the British Navy. Moreover this years ma
noeuvres showed the desirability OF Strengthening
the British fleet in the neighborhood OF Gibraltar
which lesson becomes the more evident when
Russia increases her Mediterranean squadron
Six hours fighting between second-class bel
ligerents, where neither ships nor men are equal
to the fleets Of Europe. has sufficed to parayze
two navies for several weeks 10 come. What
would happen in the event of conflict not half
so prolonged among European or American war.
ships? 1t would almost seem that the mastery
Of the sea around these islands may some day
be decided after a short but very sharp action.
and naval men pointing the moral by once
more preaching the necessity OF having every
prepara ton for a conflict thoroughly completed.
Another question that Is rapidly coming to the
front, because It may affect English policy, ID,
how will Japan use her victories? Russia Is sai6
to have intimated than once that japan
must not annex Corea We can well understand
that Russia would have preferred the rehabilita-
ton Of the Chinese suzerainty to the close neigh.
borship of Japan. With all her obstinacy. China
was sometimes squeezable. Japan on the other
hand. is a young ambitious somewhat perky
nation. She has outwitted the Chinaman In dip.
lomacy. she has outmanoeuvred him by sea
and land. Will Russia intervene to thwart Japan
In getting the full fruits OF her victory? Remem-
bering also that England has large trading IN
terests involved In this Far Eastern question.
and is understood to be acting in unison with
Russia. is It likely that the British Government
may be involved in this dispute? This Is one
OF the passing topics OF the hour
In regard to another matter affecting Japan.
the action OF Lord Kimberley is favorably COM
mented upon He has succeeded in making Eng.
land the first OF European States to hold out tho
hand to Japan in order to raise her status among
recognizing Japan's right 20 levy her own tariff
at slightly increased rates. and the agreement
to abolish extra-territorial rights. may be irrt-
tating to a few Englishmen in Japan. 1t ID.
however pointed out that the treaty will only
come into operation If the other Powers agree to
it. and Japan certainly will not rest content to
remain In swaddling clothes after successful
campaign. The fact that England has been first
to recognize Japan's aspirations ought not to
count to her disadvantage in future relations
with the Toxic Government
The withdrawal OF Lord Hothfied from the
Gladstonian ranks removes almost the last
official wealthy peer OF recent creation from tho
Ministerial side. He has long been sitting on
the fence but so long as Mr.. Gladstone. who en-
nobled him. was in office. he could not make up
his mind to act against his chief He statest
straint toward Mr.. Gadstone's successor and that
the successors "iniqutous"-not to use a strong.
er word-Budget was the last straw which this
nobleman with 100000 year could carry. He
will now do all that he can to drive the present
Government into that obscurity from which he
hopes they will never emerge.
This 'iniquitous'' Budget has been the source
OF sad annoyance to more wealthy supporters OF
the Government than Lord Hothfed. It has
proved very unpalatable TO some OF the richest
men on the Government side in the Commons,
and the lawyers OF Lncolns Inn and the Tenn
pie, who of course for politicians Of all coiors.
are having a busy time discovering how the
death duties be evaded
Mr. Gladstones letter respecting the licensing
laws has administered real backhander to one
section OF his old supporters in the Commons. It
seems also to have been written in forgetfulness
OF Sir William Harcourts unlucky local veto
proposals. Sir Wilfred Lawson and the local
veto men, who gave Mr.. Gladstone their votes on
all sorts If subjects for years in the hope that
he would allow their fad chance OF becoming
n law are naturally irritated at being told that
their remedy is little better than imposture. You
will have learned that Mr.. Gladstone prefers
OF the drink traffic the Goth.
enburg system, as this will afford to publicans
some compensation for disturbance. This scheme
will meet a wider approval than the high-handed
o. the Gaines Lawsons and United
Kingdom Alliance. to treat those engaged in the
liquor trade as 20 many criminals. This letter
places Mr. Gladstone, so far as compensation y
concerned, In the same ranks as John Bright.
The latest Irish grievance is a matter OF Nm.
ance. Ten years ago the Treasury advanced
40 900 to the Land and Migration Company in
order to purchase the Bodkin estate In Galway.
rhe investment proved failure. The estate was
.esold at a loss. The Treasury reluctantly took
proceedings through the Court Of Chancery.
which ordered a call Of ten shngs per shara
Cardinal Logue. as shareholder, protests
against these Saxon methods OF making people
pay their debts The advance he says was for .