New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-02
THE NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS
LONDON.
LORD SALISBURY'S SECRECY REGARDING
GREAT BRITAINs FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
MR.. BAIFoUR HIS SOLE CONFIDANT-THE E
DISCLOSING THE MYSTERY OF
THE BISMARCK MEMOIRS.
(BY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.

London. oct. Lord Salisbury is not working
in a glass house, where everybody can see him.
He has retired into dark secret chamber
where his diplomacy may be more inscru'ape
than ever No leader-writer has any o'fcial
cues, nor does any discuss foreign affairs with
tone OF authority II Is understood that MY
BalfOur is the only colleague with whom he con-
Suits. and he could not have a better adviser in
his own party. Mr.. Balfour has been at North
Berwick. making a daily tramp OF nine miles OF
golf links but his secretary is with him, ana
there are frequent communications with the
Foreign Office. He has impressed the diplomat
lists here with his power Of making rapid ana
comprehensive study Of difficult foreign ques-
tions. and finding by sure instinct the salient
points Of the British interests. He does not
quibble over minor details. but comes TO quick
decision on essential points. There are many
signs that the British policy has been invig-
Grated and stihened consequence OF his ad-
vice. The Fashoda affair is dropping into the
background.
The extremists both in England and France.
would have been pleased If Marchand had been
arrested or Inundated in some way, but keen
Observers commend Kitcheners management Of
the affair. The bridge left open for
Marchands retreat after the Egyptian garrsons
had been stationed above and below him. 1t
was impossible for eight French officers and one
hundred Senegalese soldiers to contest the COM
mand OF the White Nile when the Sirdar had
two thousand soldiers with him Kitchener
avoided giving needless offence or magnifying a
petty incident. but his action was decisive The
future OF the equatorial provinces is clearly fore
casted France cannot obtain a commanding
position in the Nile valley without war with
England. and no campaign will ever be fought
the Fashoda swamps
Admiral Noel gets credit for energetic action
in Crete Just as Kitchener does for discretion and
firmness at Fashoda, but this is hardly fair to
Lord Salisbury. although Liberal critics here as
sumo that praise is due to subordnates when
the management Of foreign affairs Is good, and
that the Prime Minister alone deserves censure
when anything goes wrong.
Turkish rule will come to an end in Crete
within forty days unless all signs fail. This Will
be genuine triumph for Lord Salisbury whose
patience and tact have overcome every obstacle
He has succeeded in keeping four Powers
together after The original concert or IN
action was broken up by the withdrawal
Of Germany aHl Austria, and has Induced
them to guarantee safety to the Mussul-
man inhabitants after the bashi-b -bazouks have
been dsarmed and the Turkish forces nave
retired from the island. Christian blood was
cheap In Armenia, but English blood is dear
wherever IT is shed The slaughter OF British
soldiers was the tragic incident which brought
the tiresome comedy Of Cretan diplomacy to an
end. a constructive policy will be required when
the Turkish troops go out, but with the disap-
pearance Of Germany and Austria from the
scene this ought TO be easy. Prince George VIII
probably be installed ultimately as the Governor
of Crete This was one Of the last diplomatic
t.I ntsan n ~ m
mark. one Of the wisest women of Europe. took
an active personal interest. Her death VIII tehd
to hasten the appointment
IT is in China that the British policy Is enVel-
oped in black fog No ineligible account OF
what has happened there has appeared In the
English press not even in THE Times" which
has usually been we'll Informed on Chinese az
fairs There is no certainty that the deposed
Emperor is alive. although the versatile EN-
press-Mother has summoned all the leading doc
tors of the Empire for consultation respecting
his health. Whether he be alive or dead British
interests have received staggering blow AT
Peking. and what measures will be taken by
Lord Salisbury for their protection are unknown
Kang- Yuwei is safe at Hong Kong but the
British cruiser cleared for action in order 10 pro-
tect the liner on which the fugitive councillor OF
the Emperor escaping with his life An
other Chinese friend Of England has been
SHARED through the intervention Of the British
Minister. This is Chang Yen -Huan. who was
a special envoy to the Jubilee last year.
These are small points in the score which
runs heavily against England. What Lord
Salisbury is doing to prevent the restoration OF
E1gand's enemies to power is an inscrutable
mystery There has been feeble naval dem
onstration without definite purpose. and there
IS no evidence that it will be followed up with
resolute action. The reform movement IN emma
has ended before IL was fairly begun. Man
darins known to favor England are banished'
and those who have Intrigued steadily against
her are allowed TO regain strongholds OF power
The trend Of Lord Salisbury's policy in this new
crisis. Of which the partition OF China may be
the sequel, is not disclosed.
The death Of Thomas +. Bayard has drawn
from the London press many sincere tributes
to him as a gentleman of the old school ana IL
true friend Of the English people. Sir Wemyss
Reid describes him in to-days Speaker as one
Of the most delightful and admirable OF men,
His personal popularity in England was never
in doubt and this was strengthened when ne
was criticised in his own country.
American affairs now escape observation. ex-
cept when a clear declaration of the National
policy, like that of the Republican convention ol
New-York serves to reveal the trend or pubic
opinlcn on the Philippine question. The as
sertion that the RESPONSIBILITIES OF the VIC
tory have been assumed. and that wher-
ever the flag has gone there liberty, humanity
and civilization must remain and abide for
ever is warmly approved 10y many leaolhs
Journals and appeals strongly 70 English con-
science and sense Of moral obligation. An
optimistic view is expressed by THE Spectator
that the Paris Commission will have only hnah-
cial details to debate. and that the Spaniards
will never attempt to reconquer the Phlnppihes'
A pessimlstic view also finds expression that the
Standards will insist upon being bought out al
l,irh r.rinn and thai they may have Sunp0rt