New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-25
THE NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS.
LONDON.
BRITISH HOLIDAY ADVICE TO AMERI'
CAN COUSINS.
VARYING VIEWS As TO THE ABRoGAT1ON
OF THE CLAYTON TREATY.
THE IMPERIAL PENNY POST.

J J.
politics and society So stagnant is the surface
Of the worlds affairs that the moralists OF the
press. instead of waiting for the end oi the year
10 put forth their annual reviews are serving
the funeral baked meats for the Christmas din
ner. America fills out a large share Of these
holiday reflections. in which bitter is mingled
with sweet There is no lack Of appreciation In
the English tributes to American triumphs IN
war and in diplomacy. but these moraiists feel
compelled TO salt their honGs as well as 10
sugar their praise SO good a friend OF Ameri-
cans as THE Spectator" propheses that tna
burdens OF empire will relieve the United states
from monopoly and protection and that the
plant Of honest administration will be raised
in the new oversee possessions and transplant
ed thence 10 America.
Another good friend. THE Daily Chronicle
finds something to erumble over even at CHRIST
mas time in the attitude of the American Gov
ernment toward England on the Nicaragua
Canal question. the discussion Of which mas
been resumed this week by the EnShsh press.
It asserts that British feelings have been some-
what hurt by the assurances that have come
oyer to the effect that many public men IN
America are perfectly ready TO act in the Amer
lean interest in total disregard Of British rights
II reminds Americans Of the services rendered
10 them by the British Government in the last
year and Of the advantage which they VIII de-
rive if the Clayton Buwer Treaty be altered FOR
their benefit and ntimates that something VIII
have to be done for England in return for the
favors which are now asked. The tone OF THIS
article is different from that Of the leader IN
The Birmingham Post" 10 which | referred
last week. Americans must expect sharper ana
more fault-hnding criticism from the Liberat
h1r
Lord Salisbury. being Influenced by Mr. Cham
berlain and Mr. Balfour. both strong friends OF
the United States. and also By his personal re-
lations with Colonel Jay, is disposed 70 favor
a reasonable readjustment OF the canal ques-
ton on the lines Of American control and the
adoption Of Suez principles The London
Times" and the Unionlst press. acting upon cues
received from the Foreign Office. are discussing
the question in a just and friendly spirit Inc
Liberal press representing the party IN oppo-
sition. is insisting in advance that there must
be a quid pro quo, and that the present STATUS
under the Clayton -Bulwer Treaty must not %
altered unless equivalent advantage is OBTAINED
in some quarter. There Will be censorious crltl-
cisrn from that press il England does not get
something out of the diplomatic pool In wnich
the Clayton -Bulwer Treaty is revised so as -
enable the American Government to construct
and control the Nicaragua Canal Happily 1or
America. the Unionist Government is now noe
only we'll disposed toward the United States
but is strongly intrenched in power ana III iu'i
possession Of the confidence OF the country.
Undue stress has been laid in America upon
Mr. Henry Whites visit this week 10 Loro
Salisbury at Hatfield House. 1t is a social en-
gagement which he makes every year ana mas
no special bearing upon the revision Of the treaty.
~ he
Washington, where other Anglo American aues-
tions are under consideration While it IS trua
that certain country houses whore Ministers ana
diplomats are entertained when Parliament IS
not in session are working centres, where FOR
eign affairs are discussed Informally. Hatneld Is
not one Of these diplomatic capitals; Il is place
where Lord Salisbury broods IN silence over
British policies, ard he is not ikeiy 10 mihsle
business with pleasure. The real dlpioihdli'
capital u England for eight months III the year
is the country house. where men Ike Mt. Bal
four the Duke of Devonshire, LORD George
Hamilton and Mr. Chamberlain are entertained.
If any Ambassador wishes to approach LORD
Salisbury informally any subject ana sus-
gest q new, line Of action he accepts invita-
tion 10 some country house where Mr.. Balfour
is a guest. The latter is Lord Salisbury con-
fdential adviser in foreign affairs and Mr..
Chamberlain also has great influence over him
England is almost the only European state
where country houses are working centres OF
the governing class. where pubic business is
dispatched and where Minister'S confer with ono
another and exchange opinions with foreign
repres entat!ves.
Mr.. Asouith is almost the only prominent
Liberal. except Lord Rosebery. who is con-
stantly met at these exclusive country houses.
and for that reason he is a favorite in society
circles as Sir William Harcourt's successor for
the Liberal leadership OF the House Of Com
mons He is ambitious. ard Mrs. Asquith IS
liked and he has the best wishes OF the West
End for carrying off one Of the political prizes
Of the new year. It is an open question whether
he has the temper and heN!bility required for
uniting the distracted Liberal party Mr. Camp
bell Bannernan II he be not too indoient to
undertake the laborous task Of leadership is
still considered by close observers as probable
candidate of the Liberal caucus. Mr. Fowler is
also favored as everybody's friend and ma
tonal trimmer Mr. Herbert Gladstone Is pre-
ferred by Nh. Labouchere, and Sir Edward
Grey's friends seeking % prove that whis
he is in sympathy with Lord Rosebefy's diplo-
matte policies he has strong Radical opinions
on social questions. When the list is exhausted
the name Of any candidate competent to meet
Mr. Chamberlain in debate is not found. Sir
William Harcourt is the only man on the Liberal
side who is IN any sense match for him.
Prince Georges triumphal entry into Crete
marks not merely the close Of q long and con-
fused chapter Of European diplomacy dealing
with the Eastern Question, but the success OF
a family plan formed long ago IN the Royal
Palace at Copenhagen. The late Queen OF Dem
mark who had great force OF character. sug-
gested this solution Of the Cretan question. and
her daughters the Dowager Empress Of Russia
and the Princess Of Wales have exercised
great influence in carrying IT out.
Not only is the diplomatic field cleared IN
Crete. but also on the Upper Nile. where Major
Marchand has vanished and left English censors
OF French affairs nothing to talk about except