New-York tribune., 1895-12-29

when they consider the possibility OF war win
any great Power. that bread and meat would
be dear. and starvation would be averted only
by great display Of naval strength.
Perhaps the fairest article on the Venezuela
question is Mr.. Laboucheres in Truth" He
rec.tes the origin and progress Of the frontier
dispute admits that The schomburgk line was
not definitely accepted by either party, and con-
tends that England ought to have agreed to full
arbitration Of the disputed lands either side
her refusal savoring Of might not right He
also comedies that good deal can be said for
the Monroe Doctrine, but regrets the bullying
and arbitrary tone Of Mr. Cevelands message
His main conclusion Is that in spite Of the in
discreet language Of Mr.. Cleveland, England
ought to submit the entire boundary question to
an arbitrator. and suggests Japan as the proper
Power to decide the matter.
Mr.. Labouchere has the courage Of his opin-
ions; no other Englishman talks in this way
The ordinary view is that Mr. Cleveland has
rendered arbitration impossible; that the Eng
lsh do not want war and will do nothing TO
provoke 1t. but that they cannot yield their
rights TO q mere arrogant assertion Of authority
Monroe Doctrine or no Monroe Doctrine, they
are convinced that a commission. even with such
men as ex-Ministers Phelps and lincoln on it,
can do nothing 10 settle the dispute. since Eng
In any way They have no idea that war is pos
sible but expect that Mr.. Cleveland will retreat
under cover Of his commission from what they
regard as an untenabe position. They now say
less than they did about his message being
political manoeuvre, but charge him with appeal
ms to popular passion and laundering grossly
in his conduct Of the whole affair and question
his competence for his great place.
Apart from American affairs Englishmen find
little to talk about. The Sultan is now fine ola
Turkish gentleman compared with Mr.. Cleveland
The lingo guardshps. In which diplomacy was
deeply concerned for many weeks. have dropped
out Of sight completely as Noahs Ark Mucn
more interest is shown in Mr. Edison's pocket
torpedoes with which fleets may or may not be
destroyed:
The Ashantee expedition is beginning to leave
a trail IN the daily press, which publishes minute
details about the foreign tour of officers and men.
One correspondent has taken his bicycle with
him and mounted 1t. expecting to ride 1t all the
way to Prahsu, the road to the frontier being IN
excellent condition.
The manifesto of the Transvaal National Union
seems TO have promise Of potency for some KIND
of revolution led by British colOnists which may
enable England 70 intervene in force. restore
order and dictate terms Of settlement. The Beers
have ordinarily been able to take care of them
selves but the English settlers are hoping that
some crisis will arise which will force the British
Government to take decisive action ana bring
about an agreement with British South Africa
English domestic politics are stale ana nat
No speeches are made; no delegations are re-
ceived by Ministers; policies are discussed;
even Mr. Chamberlain is as dumb as an oyster.
French affairs are equally barren The most
interesting thing Paris finds to talk about is the
fate Of young Lebaudy, who was forced TO JOIN
the army as a c6nscript because he was rlch' ana
when invalided for consumption on medical cer-
tificate and left free 10 go home, was forced
back through fear Of Socialist outcry and trans
ferred from hospital TO another until he
finally caught typhoid fever and died. The de-
tails Of the life and morals of this representative
of the jeunesse doree afe as sensational as
French play and make fine sport for English
moralists when they bored with the monotony
Of their cynicsm about American Jingoism
Lord Dunraven's appearance In Newly OTk IA
deplored by the English press. SO far as IL is
noticed at all One sporting critic bluntly says
that the inquiry into his charges might We'll be
POSTPONED since in the present state of Ameri-
can opinion the least accident might easily
bring about an altogether undesirable outbreak
The Gladstones are on their way to Biarrtz In
good health and fine spirits, their journey from
Hawarden TO France having been made without
incident When their visit ends they will go
across the country Cannes. a rather venture
some journey without good railway service.
Mr.. Gladstone's departure and his approaching
birthday call out kind expression Of interest
and respect from his once embittered foes. The
resentful feeling against him in the English
world OF wealth and fashion is slowly passing
away.
Mr.. John Morley is in Rome. recruiting his
strength for the Scotch election campaign.
Mr.. George Merediths friends predicting
that he Will carry off one of the New Years
honors, and other prizes for men or letters are
hoped for MIR Meredith is seldom in lit
erary circles, being unsociai in his habits.
Mrs. Oliphant has striking article in BLACK
woods" on the attitude which modern novelists
maintain toward marriage holding that the
love OF shocking readers has much TO do with
the present fashion Of the new school of fiction.
The death of Sergius stepnak at railway
crossing is greatly regretted by a large circle
Of literary frie DIS. They recognized in him a
fanatic. yet admired and respected the simple
minded. earnest man who, in spite Of his own
poverty. was laboring constantly for others.
The death of the Nihst leader was undoubted-
ly accidental and was caused by absent minded
ness.
The biography Of Cardinal Manning is the
most important book promised for January. Mr.
Sheridan Purcell has made Of all the diaries
and letters Of the Cardinal. and has drawn upon
"reminiscences OF all who associated with
him.
The weather has been dismal In London dur
ing the week. both Christmas and the Bank
Holiday having been cold and wet. The incom-
ing swarms Of holiday visitors from the country
were smaller than usual. The theatres and music
halls crowded in spite OF the nclement
weather The town shows We're good. and even
brilliant Robinson Crusoe." at the Lyceum Is