The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-01-31

London, Jan 30..-Since the Irish
members of the house of commons
withdrew their amendment 70 the ad-
dress in reply to the queens speech
which amendment referred to the
financial relations between Great Brit
ain and Ireland, il is seen that they
made a serious tactical error which was
equivalent TO allowing Mr.. Balfour,
the government leader in the house,
to spike their guns. A 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 oppose the commission,
which will be supported by all the
Unionists and a number of English
and Scottish liberals. The question, in
stead of bearing solely upon the flnan-
cial relations between Great Britain
and Ireland, viii develop an inquiry
into the financial relations between
the different parts of the United King
dom.
The Scotch and Welsh members of
the house insist that their respective
claims shall be considered, and the
English radicals 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 government
proposal to transfer Irish private bill
lin takes the form of a bill. The tenor
of the Irish section of the queens
speech and the governments depend
ence upon time renders the appearance
of such a measure doubtful; but it
would undoubtedly pass if the govern
lhnent should submit it. All the Irish
members are eager for such bill,
foreseeing that it would transfer much
power and the expenditure Of much
money to Dublin.
The amendment made Thursday in
the house of commons by Mr.. Mac
Lean to the motion of Colonial Secre-
tary Chamberlain for the reappoint-
ment of the commission to inquire into
the British South African company IS
indicative of the feeling that prevails
in influential quarters regarding any
investigation of South African matters.
Mr.. MacLeans amendment was to the
effect that as the troubles in South
Africa had been settled peaceably and
as the leaders Of the raid into the
Transvaai had been punished, it was
Needless to appoint a committee to re-
open the matter Although Mr.. Cham
berlain'S motion was finally adopted,
the debate showed that Mr.. Cecil
Rhodes and the British South African
company in which he is the moving
spirit were not without strong friends
in parliament. There is no denying
the facts that if the commission at
tempts to probe too deeply into the
company's affairs that persons high
in society and political life will be
hurt. and for that reason 1t is the
opinion of many persons that the pro-
posed investigation will prove a farce.
1t has been stated that the company.
in its lavish use of money to attain its
ends, did not overlook 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 bribed
for that purpose. Mr.. Rhodes who.
had come from South Africa to testify
before the commission. is in fine fight
ing fettle. and does not aDDear to be
the least worried as to the outcome.
His testimony is looked forward to
with much interest. as it is generally
believed that if he should be pressed
too nard he viii make revelations that
VIII prove a great shock to what he
has termed the ''unctUous rectitude" of
some British statesmen.
One of Mr. Chamberlain objects in
insisting uDOn the inquiry is to clear
himself Of 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 has his tacit sanction and
{ that he expressed his disapprOyal only
when the expedition gave promise of
Failure Branches of the new Russo
Chinese bank have been opened at
Hankow, Pekin and elsewhere in
China. Business is already diverted
10 the new institution from British and
German houses and this fact, together
with Great Britain's exclusion in
sharing in the production of new rail
ways in China is regarded as marking
the doom Of English commercial pre-
dominance in that country
DIR Manson we'll known Arctic
explorer, and Mrs. hansen are ex-
pected to arrive in London on Tuesday
hsxt. DR.. Nansen Will be received by
delegates from the Royal Geographical
society, the Royal society and other
organizations. His first public appear
{ ance viii be made at Albert Hall on
Web s Society here viii make a lion
of him and there viii be keen COM
petition to secure his attendance at
dinners and receptions. Mrs. Nansel
will also find an easy entree into the
most exclusive London society. She is
the daughter of the late Professor Sars,
who was a well known ZoolOgist, and is
an eminent singer. The queen, having
heard of her splendid voice, has in
vited her to sing at Windsor castle, and
this fact, aside from the reflected
greatness of her husband, will tend
to make her society much sought for.
1t is stated in court circles that the
anniversary of her ascending the
throne viii create her daughters.
Princess Helen, wife of Prince Chris
tan OF Schleswig- Holstein; Princess
Louise, wife OF the marquis of Lorne,
and Princess Beatrice, widow Of Prince
Henry of Battenberg. duchesses in
their own right. This viii give the
children of Princesses Helen and
Beatrice English instead Of German
titles, very important consideration
in the minds Of the British people. In
the case of Princess Louise little inn
portance viii be attached to the dignity
for the reason that UDon the death of
his father her husband Will become the
duke of Argyll
The revival of political salon recep-
tions IS q feature of the present London
eeason. The duchess of Devonshire.
the naarchiOness OF Londonderry.
Countess Derby, Countess Spencer, and
Lady Tweedmouth are already holding
these receptions where, combined with
social pleasures, plans are laid or dis
cussed for the benefit of one or the
4 other of the political parties or for the
I advancement in political life of pro-
Seges of the titled ladies who save the
, functions The marchioness of Sails
Bhury. wife OF the prime minister, is at
present recruiting her health at Beau
lieu.
It is evident that there viii be no
communication of the sentence of eight
months imprisonment imposed on
Lady Scott for hbelling her son-in-law.
Earl Russell Earl Cardigan and other
OF her friends have sought to obtain