New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-04
THE NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS.
LONDON.
SPECULATION ON THE DETAILS OF THE
ANGLO.CERMAN AGREEMENT.
Mr.. CHAMBERLAIN'S LONG SPOON
SPEECH RECALLED-THE CARS DIS
ARMAMENT PROPOSITION GAIN
ING STRENGTH.
fBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE


rpY CABLE TO TniBuNg.l
Londcn Sept 3-The stars in their courses
are fighting against the recurrence OF the silly
season this year week iraught with startling
surprises in Moscow and Paris ends with per-
sisttnt rumors that an AIglo-German agree
ment has been made on the lines of Mr.. Cham
berlain's famous Tong spoon" speech. The
main ground for these rumors Is the fact that
Mr. Bafour AMI Count Hatzfedt have been
meeting almos, daily at the Foreign Office. and
the inference tnat something Of the highest Inn
portance is going on is natural; hut since each
keeps his counsel, much scope iG LETT Tor
creative work and Imagination.
The broadest generalization attempted by the
boldest diplomats Of the press Is that the all
ance between England and Germany has been
brought about and that Mr. Chamberlains
prophetic intuitions have been justified. when
details are reached, however there is mex
plea bic confusion. The rumor-mongers cannot
agree upon the subject Of the negotiations; IL
may he China. Malietoas successor. the Mixed
Tribunals in Egypt. the lease OF Delagoa Bay
from Portugal. German interests In Asia Minor.
or a dozen other matters These explanations
arc nrohably wide OF the mark. especially when
Lord Salisbury is enjoying his leisure on the
Continent: but the fact that so many confer
at this unusual time OF the year is significant;
moreover great improvement In the relations
between England and Germany has been notice
able for several months.
Whatever may he the precise nature OF the
negotiations America will he certain 10 profit
by the re-establshmcnt Of a cordial feeling be-
tween those countries The chances Of meddle-
some activity by Germany in the Philippines
vii, he greatly diminished thereby already
there are indications Of further reductions IN
the German naval force nj Manila
After six days Of animated discussion over the
Cars disarmament proposals there Is gen
eraI agreement that the project is less drastic
than was al FIRST assumed ana consequently
less impracticable The Russian Interpretation
is that the status quo will he considered inc
basis ~ operations AT the conference and that
the Powers will he asked To bind themselves
not 10 continue the policy of increasing their
armament There are already signs that an
effective combination is practicable for carry
ing out this idea a favorable response 10 the
Cars rescript from Lord Salisbury is assured
and this implies that England Is willing 10 enter
into an international arrangement Tor fnluns
shipbuilding in European na'ies dernany'
Italy and Austro- Hungary VIII certainly fol'o"
the lead of Russia In restricting aholti"hs w
their standing armies France vas dazed AZ the
nroro.al which seemed deadly stroke from
hnr alIv hut II now seem. probable that her
Ministry will accept the invitation 10 the con-
ference.
The Cars srasm ~ comTon-aense was nap
pily timed; his rcscript was protest hsa'h''
mu,,ar,.,n on the eve Of the astounding revela-
t,ons in the Dreyfus case. which has over
whelrned the French military stan with obloq y.
m OF France
dlscreducd 10y the exposures of conspiracy ana
forgery II will be hazardous for the Govern
mont to throw its influence heavily against It's
ou,,s nronosals For real and rational peace
nractlcal diplomats here do not take the view
that disarmament is chmerical they assert
that the publication Of the r,script has already
cleared the air and wrought complete revolu-
ton I'm the English feeling toward Russia THIS
is true; jealousy, irritation and wari'ke temper
have ceased. A week ago there was a state OF
general suspicion hut now everybody seefhs
convinced that there Is room enough TOT MI III
Asia" Mr. Goschen would not nave asKeu lor
new ships II the rescript had been is'ned month
earlier Diplomatists are not optimists but
astute observers. who perceive the practical ar
hculties Of all negotiations; yet the feehn9
among the Embassies In London IL that the
conference will be able. AT least. to restrict the
development OF mitarism I'm the near future.
dealing separately with armies ana naVies anu
preventing an increase In either arm oi 'pe SCI
yice This alone will be a great gain even II 1t
Inc tnnnosslble to reduce the armies ana hee's
now available for war. England and Germany
certainly will support the Cars proposals
heartily. The English press clearly discerns
tho essential truth that the European States
cannot be asked to restrict their land forces
unless the Admiralty here be willing to CON
slider simultaneously proposals for the reduc-
,ion Of the fleets Of the maritime powers
Tho idca commonly entertained In influential
circles is that the Russian Government III 'he
conference will suggest an internatioIai agree
ment TO suspend for ten years any increase VI
either army or navy. and TO diminish by hNeu
percentage for that period the number oi men
under arms in each army and the number OF
warships In service The Cars proposal IL uh-
doubtedly his own. but his advisers have prob
ably perceived the great advantage OF lessen'hg
o. nenditnres and maintaining peace during the
yeyt ten years When the finances are again IN
order. and railways now under construction are
finished. the Russian Government may be less
nacInc. At the same time. there is no reason to
distrust the sincerity Of the Cars peace over
lures France has not been treacherously dealt
with by her ally for rumors that Germany was
consulted in advance were unfounded.
France has however received a staggering
b,n,v IN her self esteem at a moment when she
WAS entering the Valley OF Humiliation In the
Drcvfus case Whatever may be her attitude
toward disarmament, the scandals Involving
the general staff offer the strongest possible In
direct argument against the demoralizing evils
of miltarism
American affairs have fallen into the back
ground this week; Moscow and Paris have be-
como the real centres Of European interest, and
,bere Is no leisure for threshing over old straw
on the philippines question or forecasting crops
what cynics like Labouchere describe as
American Wild oats. The American Ambassador
ia improving In health but In anticipation or the
-. af r,,,hlic dutIea In WashngtOn Is pro-