New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-01

Hamilton has come very near reversing himse'
on the question of the repeal of the Indian cotton
duties Mr.. Balfour has repeated his expression
indicating lack Of faith in the possibility OF an
international agreement on the currency question
in existing conditions. and thereby has discour-
aged bimetallists. In Lancashire and elsewhere
Mr.. Chaplin has discussed the agricultural as
tress. but has been able to meet the general de-
mand for relief measures only by vague assur-
ance that the Government may some day DO
something helpful.
The subject OF prson-made carpets imported
from India has come up in the Commons. but
the inquisitive objector has only been referred
10 the Board OF Trade for information Mem
hers of the. Government take less interest IN
these matters now than they did when they were
making campaign speeches
The Trades Union Congress. meeting at Car
diff on Monday. will do we'll to avoid some OF the
mistakes which marred last years session
Nearly four hundred delegates will be present.
The principal resolutions relate TO the general
eight-hour day. employers liability. the law OF
conspiracy the Poor law amendments factory
legislation alien immigration and relief for the
UNEMPLOYED The discussion OF these supJects
will cause less trouble than the renewal OF the
struggle between the New and the Old Unionsts'
which has been menacing the organization with
disruption.
The decision Of the parliamentary committee
exc,uding Messrs Broadhurst Burns and Hardie
on the ground that they ere not working men,
hers of the trades which have chosen them as
representatives is the first sign OF approaching
hostilities The objection is at once raised that
the trades councils have been DISTINGUISHED. ana
that the committee AIMS to enforce the new
standing orders before the congress has had a
chance of considering and sanetioning them The
New Unionists who carried last years collectlVist
resolution that it essential for the mainte-
nance OF British industrie. that land should De
nationaiized. with the whole of the means OF
production. distribution and exchange will not
surrender without a fierce struggle Many dele
gates are pledgSd to vote for the repeal OF the
socialist programme, and 4 very lively session
may be looked for.
Meanwhile the il-timed strike Of the millwork-
ers in Dundee is on the verge of collapse. The
employers have announced that unless the strik-
ers resume work by the end Of next week the
mills will be closed indefinitely. This threat Will
probably bring the strike 10 an end on MONDAY
although the workmen are still holding meetings
and voting against surrender without an IN
crease in wages. The workmen have been ask
ing for 10 per cent increase, when the Jute in
dustrc OF the town was expoced to destructive
competition from cheap labor in India, where
the raw material for the manufacture is pro-
duced. If the manufacture Of jute goods in Cal
cutta be continued on a large scale, with labor
as expert as it is cheap all the coarser grades
will be exported directly from India 10 the mar
kets OF the world. Dundee will then have to
find some industry in lace of 1ute, just
as Coventry introduced the manufacture OF b.
cycles when its old-time silk looms were stopped
through competition with cheap labor on the
Continent The Scotch manufacturers are now
struggling to save their industry. and the de-
mand for higher wages Is one which cannot be
met in view of low wages md long hours in Cal
cutta
The depression In the iron and steel trades
still continues in. England. That industry has
not yet shared in the prosperity Of the woollen,
worsted cotton. pottery and other industries
which have felt the invigorat.ng effects OF the
improvement Of trade with the United States
The great shrinkage in lind values, especially
in rural communities, continues. An estate
formerly valued at 100000, and actually mort
gagged for $40 00o was recently sold below $4,000
That is an extreme case. but it illustrates the
depressed condition of English agriculture, with
the unusually bad harvest this season. loud
cry for legislation or State aid or electric rail-
ways for carrying farm truck is heard from
village and roadside
The French expedition is making better prog
ress in Madagascar than the English military
critics are ready to admit Their army has not
met with serious resistance from the natives.
and their staff has overcome the main difficulties
Of warfare in the tropics, namely, marching
when there no roads and commssariat with
out local food supplies. Naturally there has been
much sickness in the camp, but neither famine
nor fever is likely to prevent a successful ad-
vance upon the capital. The French will nave
big bill TO pay for Madagascar, but their la
b.lites there do not prevent the jealous advocacy
of the new colonial claims, whether in Africa 90
Asia especially when England is suspected OF
poaching upon their preserves
The Waller controversy seems to be in the
stages Of friendly negotiation with the United
States and will probably be adjusted speedily
The Sultan is still dawdng in his negotiation
with the Powers. and putting off his decision re-
specting Armenia His demonstration against
England on the ground that Lord Salisbury was
attempting to bully him was adrotly aimed
as 10 excite Russian susceptibility, but failed in
its purpose Indeed 1t seems to have brought
about better understanding between England
and Russia on the Armenian question. The Sui
tan has not yet answered Lord Salisburys de-
mand that the Powers shall name three Of the
seven members Of the committee in control Of
Armenian reforms.
The details OF the execution Of Stokes. the
British missionary trader in Africa, not yet
known but it is generally thought that the
Congo Free State will make full reparation If the
conduct of those responsible for the summary
punishment Of that light hearted but unscrupu-
Ious pioneer has not been justified by the ne
cessties Of the case
Mr. Irving and Miss Ellen Terry sail the
American Liner New-fork to-day from South
ampton. Mr.. Bran Stoker has already gone by
another ship, and the Lyceum company. with
properties and scenery for the long American