New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-05
THE NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS.
LONDON.
DISESTABLISHMENT LOOMS ON THE
CHURCH HORIZON.
LORD HALIFAX rs FORCING THE ISSUE
THE TINES" SHOCKS THE CoBDEN-
ITEs-LADY RANDOLPH CHURCH
ILLS QUARTERLY.
lBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUxE.l


London. March 4-Public interest here is stir
centred Rome. whence bulletins announcing
the slow Improvement Of the Pope's health are
constantly dispatched. These fail 10 reassure
those who suspect that the whole truth may not
be known outside the nnermost circle OF the
Vatican The Pope and the Queen are the two
great historic figures Of Europe remaining at the
end OF the century. and EnglIshmen's interest
in his recovery is quickened by their fore
cast OF her own position Of Isolated grand
eur II the nhrmities OF old age do not per-
nit his speedy recovery. Full justice is also
accorded him. even In those controversial times.
one OF the greatest and noblest Of Pontins
with a keen Italian mind Of extraordinary lucid
ity and nexibility
There are also disturbing reports in regard TO
the Cars failing health otherwise. foreign af-
fairs pass without close observation.
The distractions and anomalies OF French pub
lie life continue. but English journals find almost
hopeless the attempt 70 make clear TO their
readers the elements producing boisterous q
hurly- burly
Parliament continues to debate every side issue
in which there is public interest and avoids
taking up burning questions one Of these Is
the religious question. which cannot be kept
down. The English Church Union has famed
the smouderng embers into fierce blaze by
adopting a memorial which may be briefly de-
scribed as a declaration Of the Church's absolute
independence Of the civil power in all matters Of
doctrine, ritual and discipline large body OF
earnest and powerful High Churchmen under
the leadership Of Lord Halifax has deliberately
repudiated the authority of the tribunals Of last
resort empowered to decide disputed points OF
Church law Their language is temperate, their
is boo hnt fhaf nj Dlain
and defiant. The right of the Crown and Parlia-
ment to determine the doctrine, discipline and
ritual of the English Church is challenged, and
militant High Churchmen while respectful in re-
ferring 70 the Bishops, distinctly intimate that
they will not be bound by any decisions. eps-
copal or judicial which are not in accord with
their own views OF ecclesiastical rule and tradi-
ton.
The lay press following the lead OF The
Times has promptly condemned this protest
as absolutely lawless and Incompatible with any
theory Of a State Church. since the supremacy
Of the Crown is a fundamental condition OF the
existence OF an Established Church. The House
Of Commons is silent. but must ultimately inter-
vene Last nights debate in the House OF
Lords on confession is a sign that inaction viii
cease.
The bearing OF this action OF the High Church
men upon the trend of future events Is unrnis-
taxable While their sincerity, earnestness and
working power cannot he questioned. they have
nullifed in advance the feeble proposals OF the
Archblshops for concation courts OF supreme
epIscopal dignity. and have discredted the COM
promise sanctioned by the united Episcopal
bench. only two alternative courses are open. one
is the restoration OF discipline in the Church by
act Of Parliament. with prosecutions under the
Public Worship act This Erastian remedy Is
held to be impracticable Parliament II is ar
gued representing Roman Catholics, Non-Con-
formists. Presbyterans, Jews. Mahometans and
Atheists. as well as Churchmen, cannot revise
or interpret the rubrics of the English Church.
The other course is disestablshment which will
cut the Church adrift from State moorings and
leave IL free 70 take its own course Nelther
political party wishes TO take up the complex
question. which is bound up and rendered i'm
mensely difficult by dsendowment but LORD
Halifax and his powerful body Of adherents are
forcing il on hand over hand There can be no
ESCAPE from the logical conclusion that the
Church established by law must not be anarchic.
but subject 10 law and. since law cannot be en-
forced by Erastian methods, the Church must
he established and allowed TO govern itself.
The other burning question is one OF finance.
side 70 take It up when the facts respecting
the deficit are accurately known. The Times
has set the dry bones Of Cobdenism astir this
week by virtually favoring the imposition OF
moderate duties on wheat and sugar and WIDEN
ing the whole system of indirect taxation. Its
PROPOSALS are not seriously discussed by other
Tnionist journals. which are unprepared for so
radical a departure from the Free Trade sys-
tenn but the Liberals have been overjoyed by
the prospect OF raying their own party In
campaign of destructive criticism Of Govern
ment extravaganza. The Times's article IN
reality was a most lucid and logical presenta-
ton of the evils OF the present system OF taxa
ton. which throws nearly the whole burden
unon income taxes death duties and charges
upon alcohol and tobacco. II Mr.. Chamberlain
were Chancellor of the Exchequer something
might be done with the remarkable suggestion
for the restoration Of the corn laws ana sugar
dutios but Sir Michael Hicks Beach is the last
man on the Government side TO take up arms
against Free Trade. He will make raid on the
sinking fund put back the tobacco duties 10
their former level and force balance between
receipts and expenses. He does not differ from
Sir william Harcourt on any essential point Of
national finance. and would not be out Of place
in a Liberal Cabinet. His Budget speech will
be the chief event OF the session. and the Lib
erals are hoping to find It the piece de resistance
FOR an organized opposition. Otherwise. there
is nothing ahead but voluminous talk on small
or safe questions. The London Government
bin will be carried without difficulty into COM
mittee.
American affairs have fallen into the back
sround here and provide scant material even
for the paragraphers. There is touch OK
comedy in the OF Agonciilo from
stranded ship and his temporary imprisonment
in a lighthouse which appeals TO British hu-
NOR There is also something almost tragic IN
the death OF Lord Herschell after his brilliant
~.