The San Francisco call., 1897-01-31
Hints That the London Press Has
Been Bribed by the South
African Company.
Features Of the London Season-The
Nansens to Be Lioniz d-Lady
Scott's Easy Life.


that thew made a serious tactical error,
which was equivalent to allowing Mr..
Balfour. the Government leader in the
House. 10 spike their guns. prompt
and energetic opposition to the suspension
of the financial question might have been
effective in carrying the votes of the Irish
Unionists, but now it will be useless to op-
pose the commission, which VIII be sup
ported by all the UnionIsts and by num-
ber.of Scottish and English Liberals. The
question, instead of bearing solely on the
tinan cial relations between Great Britain
and Ireland, will develop into an inquiry
as to the financial relations between the
different parts Of the United Kingdom.
The Scottish and Welsh members of the
House insist that their respective claims
shall be considered, and the English Radi-
Gals demand an inquiry into the matter of
the taxation of the various classes in the
kingdom. Nevertheless the session will
NOT be barren for Ireland if the Govern
ment's proposal 20 transfer the Irish pri-
vate bill legislation from Westminster to
Dublin takes the form of bill.
The tenor of the Irish section of the
Queens speech and the Government de-
pendence upon time render the ap-
pearance of such q measure doubtful, but
it would undoubtedly pass ii the Govern
ment should submit it. All the Irish
members are eager for such bill, foresee-
ing thatit would transfer much power and
the expenditure OF much money to Dub
lin.
The amendment made Thursday in the
House Of Commons by Mr.. MacLean to
cF oI Tn bar
lain fer the Teappointment.o the commits
sion to inquire into the affairs of the
British South African Company is indica-
tive of the feeling that prevails in intlu-
tiaI quarters regarding any investigation
of South African matters. Mr.. MacLean's S
amendment was to the effect that as the
troubles in South Africa had been settled
peacea bly, and as the leaders of the raid
into the Transvaal had been punished it
was needless to appoint commission 10
reopen the matter.
Although Mr.. Cham berIain's motion
was finally adopted, the debate showed
that Cecil Rhodes and the British South
African Company, III which he was the
moving spirit, was not without strong
friends in Parliament.
There is no denying the fact that if the
commission attempts to probe too deeply
into the company's affairs persons high in
society and political life would be hurt,
and for that reason it is the opinion of
many persons that the proposed investi-
cation would prove a farce. 1t has been
stated that the company, in its lavish use
of money to attain it's ends, did not over
look the press, and that its support by
some of the most influential newspapers
of London and elsewhere is due solely to
the fact that these papers were practically
brbed for that purpose.
Mr.. Rhodes. who has come from South
Africa to testify before the commission, is
in fine fighting feitIe and does not appear
to be the least worried as to the outlook.
His testimony is looked forward to with
much interest, as 1t Is generally believed
that If he should be pressed hard he will
make revelations that will prove a great
shock to what he has termed the ''unc-
tuous rectitude" of some British states
men.
One of Mr.. Chamberlain's objects in in
slsting upon the inquiry is 10 clear him
self or the charge that he had knowledge
previous to the raid that the attempt was
to be made to violate the territory of the
Transvaal; that the plan had his tacit
sanction, and that he expressed his disap-
proval only when the expedition gave
promise of failure.
Branches OF the new Russo-Ch1na Bank
have been opened at Shanghai, Hangkow,
Peking and elsewhere in China. BUSINESS
IS already diverted TO the new institution
from British and German houses, and this
fact, together with Great Britain's exclu-
sion from sharing in the construction OF
new railways in China is regarded as
marking the doom of English commercial
predominance in that country.
DIR. Nansen the we'll known Arctic eX-
plorer, and Mrs. Nansen are expected to
arrive in London on Tuesday next. DIR.
Nansen will be received by oelegates from
the Royal Geographical Society, the
Royal Society and other organizations.
His first public appearance will be made at
Albert Hall on February 8. Society here
will make lion OF him, and there will be
keen competition to secure his attendance
at dinners and receptions.
Mrs. Nansen will also find easy entree
into the most exclusive London society.
She is the daughter of the late Professor
Sars, who was a well-known Zoologist.
The Queen, having heard of her splendid
voice. has invited her to sing at Windsor
Castle, and this fact, aside from the re-
stiected greatness of her husband, will tend
to make her society much sought for.
1t is stated in court circles that the
Queen on the occasion of the sixtieth
anniversary of her ascending the throne
VIII ereaIe ner aughterS-PrlnCess Hell
ena, wife of Prince Christian of Schles-
wig-Holstein; Princess Louise, wife of the
Marquis of Lorne, and Princess Beatrice,
wife of Prince Henry of Battenburg-
duchesses in their own right. This Will
give the children of Princ ncesses Helena and
Beatrice English instead of German titles
very important consideration in the
minds of the English people. In the case
OF Princess Louise little importance Will
be attached TO the dignity, for the reason
that upon the death OF her father her hus-
band will become the Duke of Argyle.
The revival of political salon receptions
is a feature of the present London season.
The Duchess of D.vonshire, the Mar
chioness of Londonderry, Countess Derby,
Coun tess Spencer and Lady Tweedmouth
are already. holding these receptions,
where, combined with social pleasures,
plans are aid or discussed for the benefit
of one or the other of the political parties
or for the advancement in political life of
pioteges OF the titled ladies who give
, these functions. The Marchioness of
Salisbury, wife of the Prime Minister, is
al present recruiting her health at Beau
lieu.
1t is evident that there will be no COM
mutation OF the sentence of eight months
Imprisonment imposed on Lady Scott for
npeIlng her son-in-law, Earl Russell.