New-York tribune., 1897-01-31
THE NEWS OF EUROPE.
4 POPULAR SUGGESTION FOR THE
QUEENS YEAR.

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES wOrCoTr AND HIS
MoyEMENrs-TTip CzARs HEAITTi-A
VAGUE REPORT OF COLOR PHoToG-
RAPHY DIscovERY--A DIscoURAGER
TO PHILANTHROPY.
IBY CABLE TO THE TRrDUNE)
London. Jan. 30.-The oldest and best club In
London, with its unlicensed bar and free tap or
frothy debate. is now in full operation. Scenes
IN Parliament would be dull If a second Opposi-
tion were not forming below the gangway. On
four occasions already the Government. with an
unmanageabe majority, have been forced to
face the revolt Of a section Of their own fol-
lowers each time it was the Cave OF the Winds
not the Cave Of Aduam. but breezy and lively
withal. Sir William Harcourt, with his best
comedy manner. has officiously come to the
rescue Of the Tories and defended them against
their own janizaries He has aided Mr.. Dayitt
in repulsing the old Tory assault upon the Home
ONCE for the release Of dynamite convicts. has
laughed down Sir Howard Vincent's raid
against German trade. protected Mr.. Chamber
lain against Mr. MacLean's structures on South
African inquiry, and only once rubbed in salt
when the Board Of Trade was smarting from
wounds inflicted by Lord Penrhyn's defenders.
While the dulness OF the session is relieved by
these sero-comic episodes, the Ministers are
Inundated by the spirit Of revolt Just noted
The debate on the labor conflict at LORD Pen
fhyns quarries was especially damaging. since
It disclosed Tory sympathy with the self-willed
peer who has wantonly challenged the work.
mems right Of combination. TIL. attacks upon
Mr.. Ritchie's attempt to enforce the Concilia-
ton Act were warmly cheered by the Govern
ment benches. and his courageous defence OF
the Board Of Trade wao received In silence.
Sir William Harcourt's taunt that the Tories
go about boasting Of their social legislation but
when 1t comes to the point hate and obstruct
It, was we'll deserved. The effect Of this de-
bate was to expose the Unionist party to the
charge Of insincerity in dealing with the vital
interests Of organized labor.
The Liberals, under wise leadership, were
united as one man In defence Of the Concilia-
tion Act and 4he rights of the working world.
The debate introduced two new orators. one a
Welsh schoolmaster, Mr. Jones, who stirred the
House with eloquence and pathos. the other. Mr..
Bromley Davenport who. after ten years OF
silence, electrified the benches with a speech of
remarkable debating power.
Mr. Chamberlain easily vndcated his reputa-
tion the best debater In the House by pru-
dent and weighty speech disclosing the necessity
for the redemption of Government pledges re-
specting South Africa. His statement that the
situation had again become most critical and re-
quired the exercise of prudence and patience
created a profound impression BY referring to
legislation enacted in violation OF the Treaty OF
London. and by enlargng the inquiry so as to
include the grievances of the Uitanders. he sue
ceeded almost unaided In choking off mischiev-
GUS debate and convincing the House that the
good faith Of the Government must be man-
taned. Indeed, so deeply were the Government
ad IN ipc hv bo On
speech last year and by repeated pledges to
President Kriiger that the Ministers could not
have remained in office If Mr. MacLeans amend
ment had been carried While an inquiry has
been ordered. with a large committee, nobody
pretends to understand what can be accom-
pshed beyond the redemption OF pledges 1t
will certainly occupy many months. and may In
volve the withdrawal Of the charter OF the Brit
fish South Africa Company and the transfer Of
RhOdesia to the direct control Of the Colonial
Office Cecil Rhodes. who will be the first wit
ness has acted with discretion in not breaking
silence since his arrival. He has paid three
visits to Dr. jameson and has been closeted with
Mr. Chamberlain for two hours; but whatever
secrets he has will not be revealed until he tes-
tihes before the committee.
Mr.. Arthur Balfour's followers are boasting
that the text Of the Education bill next week
generated his opponents by clever manoeuvre
He is displaying more vgor and fexibility in
leading the House than ever before. His bill
will probably grant five shillngs for each child
to voluntary schools. and exempt them from
local taxation. His tactics may be adroit but
Sir William Harcourt will be likely to find some
method Of opposing the bill and enlisting the
support of insubordinate Tories
The Queen Is credited with the project Of in |
viting the Colonial Premers to London to take
part in the years festivities. but Mr. Chamber
lain is probably the real author Of the scheme |
This is the first proposal for making the cele- |
bratiCn unique event. and meets at once with |
popular approval especially detachmepts Of |
Colonial troops will accompany the Premiers |
and supply ma ateral for good town show. All |
other plans have been commonplace, and failed |
to appeal to the popular imagination. Royal |
visitors have come and gone during the reign. |
but never before have self-governing colonies |
been represented by their Premkrs and the |
body guards Of these officials at the Queens |
in the capital Of a worldwide |
Empire.
Senator Wolcott has gone to Paris to consult
eminent financiers and obtain additional in
on the silver question. He did not
expect to visit Berlin when he left London, but
may change MS plans; probably he Will return
to London next week and sail for New-York
not long afterward. The Washington rumor
that he had been coldly received here and
driven to the Continent is not we'll founded
His reception here most cordial he has seen
the Chancellor Of the Exchequcr and the most
eminent fnancers Of London. His visit to
Paris was planned from the outset, because he
believed that important work could be done
there He takes a cheerful view OF the situa-
tion and does not acknowledge the failure of his
self-imposed mission. BY denying reporters the
privilege of talking with him the Senator has
kept his work out Of the press but thereby has
increased his facilities for exchanging con-
fdences with Ministers and f1nanciers.
The February number Of THE National Re-
view" will contain series of articles on BIZ