The San Francisco call., 1899-02-26
NOW CRY FOR
ARBITRATION
British Comment on the
Canadian Dispute.
UNCLE SAM INCONSISTENT
LONDON PRESS ALLUDEs TO
THE VENEZUELAN CASE.
However, the English Public Follow
Events at Manila and Condemn
the Ineendiary Acts Of
Filipinos.
Copyrighted. 1893. by the Associated Press

Copyrighted. 1899 by the Associated Press
LONDON, Feb. 25.-The adjournment
of the Anglo American Commission at
Washington has caused a feeling of
deep regret here and the optimistic tone
of the British Foreign Offices explana-
ton is not reflected by the general pub
lie, although the newspapers, as a rule,
profess to hope that the fresh attempt
to reach an agreement in the autumn
will prove more successful.
The Speaker remarks:
"The fact that business arrangements
in particular points affecting large in
vested interests in both countries can
not be satisfactorily reached un-
apreciabIy affects the friendship of
the nations as whole. The nations
are still aggregates and not persons" F"
The Spectator says: Arbitration
seems to be a, difficult mode of settling
international disputes. The profession
al diplomats have right to ehuckle a
little"
The ST. James Gazette, in the course
Of a long article on Americas refusal
to accept an umpire" headed THE
inconsistency of the United States. "
contends that America now refuses
what she agreed to in the case of the
Venezuelan arbitration, when King Os-
car was empowered to appoint an UNI
pire, and says: THE English commits
sioners in the present case, therefore.
have not made proposal unfamiliar
to the United States, yet they meet
with a refusal Under these circum-
stances we are compelled to ask what
the United States really want. They
know an umpire is necessary, let them
then choose a man from the acceptable
candidates after discussion with our
selves. Unless they make some such
proposal or offer a satisfactory settle
rnent on the boundary line. we shall be
compelled to suspect either insincerity
of their friendship and gratitude at
Great Britain's recent diplomatic as
sistance, or their Willingness to abide.
in a doubtful case, by the principle of
arbitration, whereof they are the fore
most champions and greatest benefl-
ciaries in the past"
The events at Manila have been fol-
lowed here with interest and there has
been general condemnation of the Fill
pinos' attempt to burn the town.
A private cable received in London
computes the loss to foreign merchants
by, the bombardment of Iloilo at $1,000
O00 Only one European warehouse. 1T
appears, escaped.
The London municipalities bill. intro
duced in the House of Commons on
February %, by Arthur ]. Balfour. has
been we'll received generally. The most
striking feature of the bill is the re-
vival of the ancient city of Westmin-
ster. which will comprise the whole of
the enormously valuable and busy area
from Temple Bar to Knightsbridge and
from oxford street to the River
Thames, in which are included nearly
all the theaters, clubs, government Of
fees, parks, royal palaces, embassies.
etc, and the aristocratic districts of
Belgravia and Mayfair. 1t will be five
times the size of the city of London
proper, with five times its population.
and it will be a serious rival of the
ancient city of London, whose ratable
value is G4 45O, 900, while that of the
city of Westminster is e4.S50.000. The
imperial and social Importance of the
new city will be tremendous.
Lord James of Hereford has
introduced bill in opposition
to the Government bill in the
House of Lords as to the out
come of the recommendations of the
committee who recently investigated
the usury systems. The bill provides
that every money lender must be regis
tered and must do business solely in his
own name. In cases where the inter
est exceeds 10 per cent. or when the in
cidental charges are excessive. the
courts may reopen the transaction and
give judgment in accordance with all
the risks and circumstances of the case.
The lenders as we'll as the borrowers
are held accountable for false state
ments, promises and deceptive words
employed when the contract is made.