New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-10

Arbitration is in many cases right and useiui
method Of settling international disputes In
many 1T would be merely mschevous.
treaty binding US to submit to arbitration all
disputes Of whatever nature would therefore
itself be mischievous All | wish to point out is
that Mr. Cleveland. Mr.. Gresham and MI Nor
gan, who have not thus far been thought 10 shine
In foreign policy. will bear watching. Mr. Gre
n7er who is anything but man of the world, may
have misunderstood them and taken mere civil
tiles as pledges If that be the case, it will do
these eminent gentlemen harm to say so.
The comic side of the French schemes of Afri-
can conquest and colonization comes out strongly
in the latest Madagascar debate in the Chamber
The Government was found to have given con-
tract for the war material and for river steamers
to an English firm. French patriotism boiled
over at once. Ministers we're questioned and at
tackled. NJ Ribot. an experienced parliamentary
hand replied that the Navy Department was un-
able to do the work. that the only French nrm
who would attempt 1t asked 100000 francs. ana
that the English firm offered to do 1t for 4ooooo'
and could do ii. while it was doubtful whether
the French firm could within the time fxed IL
was simply a question therefore whether France
should abandon. or at any rate indefinitely post
pone her conquest of Madagascar, or whether
she should accept English help. This did not
satisfy the Chamber The patriots insisted on
hearing from the Minister Of Marine himseit
whether it was true that the French Navy couid
not find means of sending small expeditionary
force ninety miles up river. The sitting was
suspended The Minister was sent Tor. he
came got into the tribune, and admitted II could
not There was nothing left but for the patriots
to collapse. The matter had to be dropped
l.. % Tnnnn ana
where questions were asked whether the action
Of this English firm were not in violation of the
foreign enlistment act. The law officers are to
be consulted before that can be answered
The loss of the Elbe with $40 lives has given
rise to painful comments on both sides German
and English. Some of the baser Berlin journals,
founding their opinions the two simple facts
that the Elbe was German and the Crathie,
which sunk her. Englisi. have denounced Eng
land and English sailor in their usual manner.
Here in England. the other hand, the con-
duct of the German crew of the Elbe. and even
of her dead officers is sharply censured. If the
published statements of the surviving passengers
be true this censure is deserved Two at least
allege that they and others driven away
from the boats by the sailors: that women were
driven away and that serious attempt was
made by the officers to enforce discipline to pre-
serve order. or to save women and children
The English agents of the North German Lloyd
nevertheless profess themselves satisfied with
the conduct Of the officers and crew.
Some details of the extraordinary voyage OF the
Majestic have been published in the English
press but something remains TO be said There
have been more violent head winds and gales IN
the Atlantic. and sometimes even more tremen-
dous beam and head seas Seldom. If ever. have
they lasted continuously with equal force for hve
days From Friday to Wednesday the ship had
no respite She was in no danger and nothing
happened beyond the breaking in Of half dozen
ports. She reached Liverpool without casualty
and without harm to ship or machinery, as sea-
worthy and we'll found in every respect as when
she left New-Ycrk. That is because Captain Par
sell chose to make a long passage, much the long
est the Majestic has ever made either way, rather
than risk straining his ship or accidents to pas
sengers and crew. He deserves. and 1 hope will
receive, all honor for his sound judgment and
sound seamanship. wisely exercised in the face of
the passion for mere speed which has possession
of the public mind No doubt he only carried out
the White Star Company's rules; but though
these rules are specific the Interpretation Of them
rests with the captain in each set of circum-
stances as they arise. The ship is equal to any,
thing, and has steam power enough TO drive her
through anything. In fact she was put under
little more than half speed half the time. Many
passengers were impatient to reach port. but even
in their judgment the length Of the passage Is TO
the credit of Captain Parsell. We said goodby
to him with hearty cheers.
Mr. Henry Jamess play was performed for the
last time at the ST Jamess Theatre on Tuesday
The critics and the cabal between them have
had their way. They have driven off the Eng
lish stage one of the most delicate and truthful
pieces Of dramatic ant which that stage has
known. Mr.. James's Amercanism and his train
ing in the French school have proved INCAPABLE
offences. True Guy Domville" has run for a
month. True also that 1t has been played to
appreeiative and applaudng houses. True also
that Mr.. Alexander modified the second act, in
vain hope OF satisfying the prejudices which
had been aroused. Nothing availed. The houses
which nightly received the play with cheers were
too small to pay The audience, though ft was
few But it is true also that Mr. Alexander has
said that IL the thing were TO do again, he would
do it again. True. finally, that the most COM
petent of judges on the practical side. with the
best knowledge OF this curious English public,
has said that the play fails simply because it is
too good for that public.
Stanley Africanus. who has been supposed for
some time past to be IN. want of something to
do has been employing his leisure In sort OF
autobiography. This will appear at Easter under
the title. MY Early Travel and Adventures"
All will be new matter say his publishers, in
GLIDING an account Of the Two Indian campaigns
of 1867. with new information about General
Custer. Mr. stanleys future is supposed likely
to connect itsef either with Africa once more
or with Parliament He will stand for Parlia-
he no
means to revisit the Dark Continent whittier
Mrs Stanley may accompany him.
Mr. Balfour's reappea :ance as a theoosian,
long expected though it has been. stirs no little
interest among not theologians only. but among
TnO Tired tn Smile