The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-20
GREAT PLAN OF EMPIRE.
REAL MEANING OF THE QUEENS
JUBILEE EBRATION.

InNCuuNu !" v =" t".
or tho british Empire and TO Hind 1t Toe
gcthcr-Chier Events OF the JubiIee-Tho
vitality OF q nlschood-snlnries OF Rulers.
LONDON, June 1.-the scope and Significance
OF tho Queens jubilee celebration have vastly
broadenod in popular conception within the past
few days. The sordid, local. commercial aspect
OF II is at last beginning to disappear. 1t Is even
coming to DO regarded as a moro serious affair,
embracing q deeper meaning than n nero
spectacle and season Of public merrymaking.
II Is beginning to DO perceived that n grave POI
ntical purpose undcrlies tho plans OF the British
Government in celebrating in the most imposing
manner possible this climax Of the Victorian
era. This purpose deeply concerns not only
Great Britain, but every nation which comes
In contact with British interests as we'll. 1t 10
highly important, therefore, that the full i'm
port of the coming display Of the greatness Of
the British Empire should DO understood and
recognized by all tho world.
The Queens jubilee will, in q word. mark O
new departure in the imperial policy OF Great
Britain. The celebration has a two.fold object:
First, to demonstrate to the outside world
and the outside world Is now in a sense almost
unanimously an anti.British world-the strength
and resources OF the British Empire.
Second, to inaugurate q policy, which Is best
described by the word consolidation, with re-
spect to all the integral parts Of the empire.
Tho first purpose is dictated by the general
attitude Of other rulers and powers toward
England. 1t has been brought homo to the Brit.
iRh Government, IL not to the British people,
within tho past few months that Great Britain
Il no longer "the dominan power" In January
OF last year England SYSTEMATICALLY equipped
and sent to sea at a few days notice a powerful
flying squadron as a rebuke and a threat to tho
German Emperor. Such In some degree the
great military and naval demonstration this
month is designed to DO with respect to the
world at large. Lord Salisbury, and every other
candid observant Englishman, knows that Brit
ish interests are seriously endangered in all
quarters of the world. Such men also believe,
not unnaturally. perhaps, that the defensive and
offensive resources Of England on land and sea
arc not adequately understood by those who
seek to weaken her. Tho show Of strength which
will be made at the naval review on June %
and by the representatives of various imperial
forces in the royal procession on June % will be
quite sufficient to demonstrate the folly OF any
single rival attempting to cope with Great Brit
ain in war.
The second purpose Is forced upon the British
Government by motives of common prudence.
Great Britain 10 no longer strong en~ough-and
at last she knows and admits ito maintain
herself against accommodating dangers without
making full use OF all the resources Of her
daughter nations. 1t has been decided by Lord
Salisbury's Government that the whole scheme
Of empire which unites tho colonies with the
mother country by only sentimental ties shall
be abandoned. Reciprocal trade privileges and
reciprocal defence are the two new principles
which are to be introduced at once, and will be
made Of general application as soon as possible.
Canada has been the first to introduce the for
mer innovation, and Australia the latter. Cape
Colony has just followed the example Of Aus
tralia, and Sir Gordon Sprigg will consult with
the imperial authorities next week upon tho
subject Of South African contributions toward
the defence of the empire.
There has been no general announcement as
yet Of the full scope of this radical new departure
in imperial policy. 1t may come in some form in
connection with the jubilee festivities. The
public mind has been carefully prepared for II,
not only in England but also throughout the
colonies during the past few weeks. The news
will probably be made public in the form of a call
for a great imperial conference to be held in
london early in 1899. Public opinion in Eng.
land will probably support the new policy. The
reports from the colonies. brought by delegates
to the jubilee festivities who have already ar
rived, are said to be favorable almost without
exception.
1t is well understood that Joseph Chamberlain
IL the prime mover in the new departure. Ia
hopes and expects that the promotion of this poll
cy will carry him to the Prime Minister'S chair.
and his ambition by no means seems impossible
Of realization. His plan of empire consolidation
has. of course, been fully elaborated, but only
occasional hints as to its scope and details have
been allowed TO become public in his various
public speeches on the subject. 1t includes colo
NAL contributions in men. ships. or money to
ward imperial defence, and a large scheme oil
preferential trade on the lines suggested in the
recent Canadian tariff bill. All the colonial
Premiers will go homo with full instructions for
developing the plan according to the exigencies
OF their respective colonies, and thereafter the
practical working out of the new policy 10 eI
pected to be rapid and enthusiastic.
Turning from the political and prospective
bearings OF the Queens jubilee to its present
and practical features, London offers plenty Of
evidence OF the universal disturbance which the
biggest fete in all Christendom is bringing
Order has not yet como out Of chaos in the vast
preparations which arc making on every hand
for the procession and other festivities. The
Official programme for the great day was made
public to-day. and a brief synopsis of the chiei
events as scheduled will afford a pretty cleai
advance idea of the principal functions.
The procession. the great spectacular oven
on which will he centred the interest OF the null
ttude. Will begin at s:45 in the morning. A
that hour the colonial procession will start ant
march TO 81. Paul's Cathedral. At the head viii
DO o party Of Royal Horse Guards, with q Roya
Horse Guards band. Next in the place of homo
will march the Canadian mounted troops, be
hind whom will come Mr.. Laurier. the Premie
OF the Dominion, Whether he will ride or driv,
Is at present a moot point. Indeed, there is thu
Same little difficulty connected with many O
the high colonial officials. The Colonial Ofic'
would like them 10 ride. but the question o
horsemanship has arisen and has not yet beef
settled.