New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-06-24

10 whom politics are the science Of somersaults.
II "a announced that Germany and England
have come TO terms about the Congo convenuon'
Article Third is to be cancelled, the lease OF the
strip OF land which made Germany and England
ne,ghbors is to be surrendered. That Is the only
part OF the convention about which germany
cares and she only cares because she does MOI
like and declares she does not Ike. to De III I'M
mediate contact with England In AFRICA Neither
the resistance Of Germany nor the reason Oh !"
can be very palatable to the BRUSH foIeie"
Office nor is It agreeable to LORD Kimberley W
have to renquish scheme which was Aeraiueu
as triumph OF English diplomacy. NOT are ''ie
circumstances such as do credit to the gentlemen
who have charge Of these particular pigeoh-hoieS
IN Doxn1ne-st They ought. It is said. to have
known that Germany would object; since she oo-
iec,ed 10 A similar arrangement four years ago.
T., docs mt follow that because England could
not then persuade Germany to accept her views
she was bound to lose chance OF giving effect
10 them in a different way by treaty with a less
stubborn State That does not seem very pa
,riotic or very dignned contention; yet that IS
the contention of THE Times" which writes IN d
tone OF subservence to Germany difficult 10 ac-
count for In a journal which. abroad ana on IN
ternational questions has always been supposed
10 speak for England. The English foreisn
Office is open to criticism. because it seemed 10
have forgotten ali about its former negotiations
with Germany when Lord SALISBURY was foIeisH
Minister But the argument that 1t ought 10 10
nothing dIspleasing TO the diplomatsts OF Berlin
is a singular one In itself. and most singular III
the leading Journal not Of Great Britain only Out
OF all Europe.
To make matters worse. France instantly CITES
out IF YOU give in to Germany you must give
In TO us 1t will be a rebuff 70 France and an I'M
friendly act If YOU do not" such is the language
OF the Temps" now the semt-offcial organ Oh inc
French Foreign Office. 1t is likely. TO become
still more peremptory when THE Times's edl-
torial OF this morning has been read. The asser-
ton that prompt Withdrawn is the only nom
orable course. will be held TO apply to France IN
IT'S fulles. force 1t Is not intended to. nor Is
Franco Germany; nor need IL be imagined that
because this paper IS on its knees to the German
Emperor it will preserve that attitude TO the
rest Of mankind.
Mr. Cecil Rhodes, who never disappears from
view for long has made a remarkable speech
at Cape Town, followed by still more remarkable
results in London He appears as the apostle OF
Imperial Reciprocity. He tells his South African
fellow-citizens that he proposed TO the Colonial
Office an arrangement in virtue Of which British
goods should be admitted for all time TO come
into South Africa under less duties than I'M
ports Of foreign nations the duties never 10 ex-
coed their present maximum. He onits 10 say
with precision what he asked in return, refer-
ring vaguely, though in spirit OF Imperial pa
triotsnl to the naval protection Of her colonies
by England. But England. that is to say the
Colonial Office under direction Of the Cabinet.
rejected Mr. Rhodes's offer
Lord Ripon-you must make effort OF mag
- I.ord "A
for an Empire-scems 10 have based his refusal
on the ground that such policy would be in
consistent with the doctrine of Free Trade. NO
douh, Il would The dead hand OF Golden still
les heavy on this country. The English seldom
care for principle in politics. When they DO
they work II for rather more than II Is worth.
Mr. Rhodes tells them. in a tone OF something IKE
contempt that their politics are parochal' ana
that on English trade. against which the world IS
combining hangs the life OF the English nauon
The English at home begin dimly 10 perceive MS
noint Ten years ago they would have closed
their minds 10 such an appeal and returned MIN
contempt for contempt. Now what Is their an
swer? The true answer comes. not from the
Colonial ONCE swaddled in mouldy traditions
but from the press; and the press tells MIN
frankly that the true obstacle TO his proposal Is
the necessity Of applying 1t to all the colonies
and not 70 South Africa only. The answer Is not
complete but It is a very striking indication OF
The advance Of economical thought. and not
less striking tribute TO the capacity and authority
OF Mr.. Cecil Rhodes.
Sir William Harcourt is supposed TO nave come
10 an understanding with the leader OF the Oppo-
stion the terms OF which are unknown Wnat-
ever they be- his Finance bill advances In Conn
,nittee by leaps and bounds. The present rate
of progress is due in part to the greater readi-
ness shown by the Chancellor OF the Exchequer
and by the Solcitor-General in accepting amend
ments The measure. in truth. is undergoing
process Of remodeng in phraseoiogy and IN
administrative details: It's organic iniquiues re-
main
The principle OF spoliation is embedded in the
BILL Even in spoaton, however. there are de-
grees and the method of applying the thumb
screw may be varied, and is varied. There has
been compromise on the highly important mat
ter Of valuation. There has been a compromise
on the much more highly important point at
issue between the Exchequer and the Colonies. A
concession has been made with which in princl-
pie the spokesman OF the Colonies In the House.
Sir Richard Webster, processes himself satisfied.
The Agents General OF the Colonies. believe
are not The doctrine OF a domicile is not modified
Sir William Harcourt still insists that the estate
abroad Of a colonist domiciled in England shall
pay ransom What he comedies Is that the
amount paid to the Treasury OF the country
where the property is situated shall be deducted
from the duty levied here.
There are more reasons than one why the con-
cession may prove inadequate, II not illusory.
Sir William Harcourts demand for reciprocity
from the Colonies impairs, at any rate the grace
Of this reluctant and imperfect capitulation. 1t
applies. moreover. TO the Colonies only The ex-
tortion originally contemplated by the bill is 70
be vigorously enforced against all foreigners
domiciled in England. Duties are TO be levied |
on their whole personal. If not, which is doubt |
full. on their whole personal and real estate. For