New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-08
THE NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS
LONDON.
THE RISE IN THE PRICE OF FOOD SUP
PLIES SHOWS AMERICAS POWER
ENGLISH PROPOSITIONS FOR NATIONAL
TON POOH-POOHED-ADVIC AS
TO THE PHILIPPINES.
lsY CABLE Tc THE TRIBUNE. ]

States over lut IpOO SuprllcS or tne WCr!O mas
been demonstrated already, even If :he war has
lasted only fortnight and decisive naval en-
sagenent in the West Indies still hangs fire.
The proofs are the bread riots in Italy, the
compulsory reduction Of w eat duties In France
the rise of provisions in Germany and the ad-
vance of the price Of English wheat 70 80 shil-
nngs a quarter. Europe has been subjected at
once 10 the pressure Of high prices FOR food
and has been warned that It's privations will In
crease with the duration OF the Not
single grain ship has been captured on the At
lsrtic and neutral commerce !s safe yet the
loaf IS already dear in England and on the
Continent. Even fortnight Of indecisive cam
raignng serves to prove that Europe. owing 10
her Increased dependence upon imported food
supplies. is N-prepared 10 face the risks OF
starvation from prolonged warfare and grain
speculation on n large scale; especially when
the worlds wheat crop last year was INSULT
clent for current requirements In the absence
OF any large reserve stocks. to-day's "Statist'
clearly points out.
This subjec; is attracting much attention IN
England. owing to the timely publication Of the
report Of the Yerburgh Committee on National
Wheat Stores. The theme is not a new one;
experts have discussed II in the magazines FOR
many years without having hal fair hearing.
Market quotations and bakers prices now en-
phasze the committees declaration that after
harvest home the supply OF wheat only lasts
fourteen weeks and tha: after the first or
March there is never more than six weeks
store Of food on hand. Bounties for farmers
and subsidies for rnillers rejected as I'M
practicable The committee considers Nationa!
wheat sranarios as indispensable 10 the defence
Of the United Kingdom in time OF war and
recommends the purchase Of Soo0po quarters
oil of q
stock every year Objections point out that
even this reserved stock OF food would serve
for only fourteen weeks supply The press dis
cussion OF the whole subject leads up 10 the
general conclusion that a royal commission
must be appointed 70 conduct an exhaustive
INQUIRY into the National food supply In time OF
war and that England must have navy able
70 beat all creation. These seem like counsels
Of despair.
The talk about European Intervention in the
Cuban affair ard Continental league against
the United States has a hollow sound "heh
American control Of food supplies is demon
strated so completely. America stands IN no
dread Of European concert in defence o' the
worm eaten Spanish throne. when by Withhoio-
ing food supplies she could menace every Con-
tinentaI State except Russia with bread riots
and starvation: nor is it necessary for Ameri-
Anglo Saxon alliance. Eagland not only speaks
the same language and reads Shakespeare. but
/, also lives on American wheat. Self-!nterest
rather than sentiment is tae true basis of an
Anglo American alliance; IN future bread IS
more important than blood relationship The
logic Of tho National sranarics discussion oTor
the Ye-hurgh committees repor; points 70 the
necessity e maintaining friendly relations with
America 60 fer as England is concerned Free
Trade has left her dependent in peace or war
upon American food supplies.
The rumors that the Intervention Of the
Powers has been asked by ;ne Queen Regent
have been persistcnty repeated since CoInno-
dore Dewey's descent upon Manila. but these
ara obviouslv without foundation. All diplo-
matte exrcrts agree that the war cannot END
until q great naval engagement has been fought
between the main fleets. and rain Is prepared
T. rcl!nquish Cuba and pay an indemnity ar
cordng 10 the established rule of modern war
fare Neither Ministry nor monarchy could
stand II such d surrender wcrc How made ana
without It the European Powers could not IN
-ervene The fact that the United states no"
holds the balance z power H. the Philpplhes
Influences botn Germany and Russia against
nrer,a,urD Interference The Yorkshire Post
sreak!ng for the English press. contends 'ha'
u the Continental Powers should attempt such
alliance between Great Britain and America
I, also considers that Engand's diplomatic ac-
zion after peace negotiations are opened must
be limited a. friendly representation 10 ue
United States not 70 demand a wal Indemnity
dis,roportioncd to the poverty of spain
Whatever signs Of English disaffection there
were during the frs. week of the war nave o'S-
appeared sine. Dewey's victory. Sncefs, carp
Ing criticism and ridcule have ceased II - no"
admitted by al English journals that America
has shown energy. capacity and courage
whereas Spain has displayed hesitaton' uh-
readiness and Incompetence. De"e! suno
,Nsnced every gle about "rnule honnoaro
ments" and amateur Yankee war-makng.
The future Of the Philippines has been the
favori,e fhcIne of newspaper diplomacy through
Out the week although the discussion of II was
obviously premature until Dewcys actual posi-
ton was definitely asccrtaned. Some Of the
least responsible journals have expressed an
eager desire that England should take the
islands as Ii gift from America. but THE Man
chester Guardian" has rebuked this traf1c"hs
spirit In this cnaphatic declaration:
For the United states 10 seize and Keep them
because they might be strf tegicalIy useiu WQu,n
be crime He the annexation OF HIstce-'"' -,
rane: and for US 10 become receivers of the sroi!
would be almost as oliOus as 90 share IN 'he
partition o. Poland
The Spectator urges Americans 20 Keep '"o
PHILIPPINES. and explains how easily Il can DE-
done By enlisting large and effective army OF
negro troops. especially Europe cannot at
tack them without Eng tnd's permission
The final iHstamcnt Of the Chinese indemnity
10 Japan has bean PAID to-day. aggrc9auhb
i!4W"vp Tho bulk of IT Is now In the BhhR
"I England but the Japanese Government may
decide TO take a considerable part Of II In eoid
ior the purpose Of maintaining its gold cur
rency. This would cause new outflow or gold;