New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-23
THE NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS
LONDON.
THE CREwE WEDDING THE EVENT OF
THE WEEK.
POLICY is FRIENDLY-ART EXHIBI-
TIONS-NEW PLAYS
rBY CABLE TO THE rRrBuxE.l

POLICY is FRIENDLY-ART EXHIBI-
TIoNs-NEw PLAYS
tBY CABLE THE TRIBUxEl
London, April 22.-Too great Importance is at
tached in London to partisan criticism Of Presi-
dent McKinley's Philippine policy as 1t is re-
aected from America. Tco great stress is also
laid in America upon English structures upon
military operations in Luzon. Englishmen know
that there is always q good deal of grumbling
Of home when they have difficult work on hand
abroad. and are not surprised when the same
tendency is shown in America by political oppo-
nents Of the party in power. Americans ought
not 10 take offence If they find the English press
assuming a superior tone and commenting on
their inexperience in dealing with subject races.
Fnglishmen are critical about their af
fairs. and will sometimes appear censorious in
their judgments concerning America. but there
s no reason to doubt that they are convinced
that the conquest OF the Tagals is only matter
Of time. and that the sister nation will prove
entirely competent to do her full duty in the
South Seas
There is no lack OF good feeling in England
for America it is marvellous that there should
be % little envy and bad feeling. for England is
interested mainly in commerce. and American
dustry, is felt every month with increasing
force and is causing great uneasiness. The
warmth Of English feeling toward America is
shown when Mr.. Michael Davitt makes a de-
uberate attempt to prejudice German Catholics
against the Anglo-American policy in Samoa by
repeating TO Herr Liebknecht the charges made
by Mr. Lloyd Osbourne in Truth that the
troubles In the islands due to the intrigues
Of the London Missionary Society. Mr. Davitts
act is resented as bit of misunderstanding with
the secret motive of estranging England and
America by exciting German resentment.
The English press at the same time. Is most
cautious in discussing the Samoa affair acting
on the theory that until the facts are ascer-
tained definitely by the Commission the least
said the soonest mended.
Foreign affairs are watched with keen
interest by all well-informed observers. 1t is
not believed that the German Emperor has any
intention of discrediting the Peace Congress at
The Hague by appointing bellicose delegates
That body of diplomats can only debate disar-
mament as an abstract proposition; but, while
powerless to commit any Government repre-
sented in it TO any decisive policy. 1t cannot
fail TO exercise a great moral influence.
The Pope is evidently failing week by week,
and the conclave will soon be compelled TO
make a rapid choice among the five leading
Italian Cardinals for the succession.
The English press is convinced that the Drey-
fus case will end in some despicable compromise,
but j, seldom hits the mark In forecasts Of
French affairs.
royal wedding could hardly have excited
deeper public interest than the marriage of Lord
" H.
all the way from Berkeley Square to the Abbey
cabmen sported white favors on their whips.
and thousands of bystanders wore primroses
and marguerites in their buttonholes. These
evidences of popular interest were fully con-
frmed by the industry OF the press in publish
ing detailed accounts OF every feature Of this
social function and the enterprise Of the music
halls in providing realistic pictures of the we'd
ding procession entering the church. The en-
thusiasm Of the crowds has been interpreted by
some writer's for the press as sign that Lord
Rosebery himself has taken London by storm,
and that he must resume the Liberal leader
ship. Political morals after wedding are as
untimely as funeral baked meats. There is
good deal of human nature centred within
radius OF thirty miles Of Charing Cross; the
lovely, happy bride in Westminster Abbey, with
ten bridesmaids attending her and two princes
OF the Royal house to sign the register. GER
tain TO carry all hearts with her without the
adventurous aid of politics. The Abbey while
not good place for witnessing beautiful we'd
ding spectacle is an ideal scene for a social
function which will interest everybody in Eng
land. This wedding was perfectly ordered and
II was carried out without a trace Of snobbish-
ness or vulgar ostentaton. 1t bas left pleas
ant impression upon the public mind, but Lord
Roseberys political prospects have not been af-
fected by 1t. IL the general electorate could be
wooed by charming proxy bride with
her fathers colors. weddings in the Abbey would
soon TO be a novelty.
Sir William Harcourt took up mis- political
parable OH the wedding night without having a
white favor on his coat. Like Mr. John Morley.
he charged the Government with financial pol
trconery in raiding the sinking fund. Unonists
affect 10 find him tiresome in his stage thunder,
but his criticism is destructive, and nobody on
the Government side succeeds in answering
him. Sir William is in better fighting form than
for several years. but the sinking fund issue
which he has chosen is not one that deeply in
terests the masses. The religious question Is
the only one which has promise OF potency In
far-reaching agitation and political disturbance.
ard he has not yet relighted the fires OF the
smouldering discussion
The LORD Chief Justice has commanded ,,o
attention OF all upright men by preparing a bill
for preventing corrupt practices in giving and
receiving secret commissions and bribes IN
trade. AS read in the House Of Lords. IL proves
10 be a courageous proposal to extend to private
business the principle Of the Corrupt Practices
statute. which makes the bribery of public SER
wants a criminal offence. 1t is the direct SEQUEL
not OF the scandals Of HoOleysm but OF the re-
port Of the London Chamber Of Commerce
showing that secret commissions prevailed In
almost all trades and professions and had be-
come a source Of systematic blackmail. demoral-
izlng in its effects on general business. The
remedies proposed for the existing evils are 80
drastic that It is doubtful If the present bill
LIE aracted ,,lfh the | ord Chief Justice