New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-26
THE NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS
LON I)O,.
TEMPERATE COMMENT ON
THE WORK OF THE JOINT HIGH
COMMISSION
BRITISH OPINION rs OPTIMIsTIC-A NEW
SCHEME FOR CHEAP BOOKS
SOCIETY AND THE
DRAMA.
my CABLE TO TuE TRIBuNE.l

JOhn Morley appeared as an lhueP'iio"' ~"
eral to challenge the Government policy in the
Soudan hut did not wait for the close OF the
debate. when the new leader Of the Opposition
meekIy followed three free lances into the divi-
sion Iohbies These were Messrs. Morley, Court
nev and Labouchere and they carried all the
Liberals with them except ten. yet were beaten
by a round majority Of more than hundred
Sir Edward Grey remained faithful TO LORD
Rosebery but Sir Henry Campbell-I'annerman
began by condemning the Governments Nile
policy with faint praise and ended by Young
without reserve against II. Mr.. Courtneys was
the most logical and powerful criticism heard
during the debate. but it did not meet the real
issue in the Soudan-namely England's duty to
carry on the work OF civilization in that be-
nighted region. Mr.. Morley and Mr. Courtney
could adopt the same general view which sim
cere men like Senators Hoar and Hale had taken
on the American policy in the Philippines but
when the last word was said the truth remained
that England the agent Of moral progress
and could not repudiate her obligations to go on
and finish the great work in Darkest Africa
The debate was much more dgnihed than the
recent skirmishing in Parliament over the
Mahdrs mutilated body. Day after day the
Mahdi's head has been bObhing up ana down
during the question hour with the same regu-
larity with which King Charless head was
served on q charger week after week bY IN
quisitive members in the seventeenth century.
The first measure discussed in Parliament
nrovos to he one so uncontroversal and harm
less that both sides support II. The report
OF the Royal Commission of 1891. which the
procressves have always considered the char
tor Of London unity. provided for a system "f
submunicipal agencies in place Of the oldt'ae
vestries This is what the new London bill =
plies although the fchcme Is described I'D"
ambltiously as one for the municipazation II
the areas under the control Of the London
County Council. The measure would be an ideal
one from the Liberal point Of view II It con-
taired provision for reducing the city Of Lon
don to the same status as other metropolitan
areas. This # does not do but so far as it goes
II is harmless. and even useful There can he
no party struggle over It, nor can there be much
public interest in it when neither the County
! Council nor the city Of London is attacked.
Mr.. Courtney was the only debatcr who under
stood the subject when it came up. and he dis
missed the bill as a tolerable makeshift which
would oper the way for a really important
measure Of local government dealing with the
! city Of London and The liveried companies Mr.
| Balfour had crammed hastily for the debate,
| and sir Henry Campbcll- Bannerman was honest
enough 10 say that he himself knew nothing
about IT,
It is already clear that the Opposition cannot
make Roadway at this session either on foreign
o~ domestic questions and that the most effective
line of resistance Will DE that offered 10y the
financial grants involving increased expenditure.
Sir William Harcourt is expected to join this at
tack during APRIL
The chief foreign topics discussed here arc the
| farcicai attempts at revolution in France, where
| President Loubet has already shown himself 70 pe
man Of force with a will of his own. and Ad-
miral Dcwey's mysterious call for hattle-ship'
which cannot Doc understood. since German com
plications with America are considered impos-
sible "The Times" THE Telegraph" and other
Journals make conspicuous use Of Mr.. Reid's
spcoch at the Rercsford dinner containing the
clcareet account of the American opcn-door pol
fey i'm the Philippines which has been printed
here That speech will he welcomed with en-
thusiasrn throughout England. as the para
graphs in the evening press already indicate.
English comments on the suspension Of the
work II the Joint High Commission have been
remarkably temperate and judcious. "Thf
Times" has canddy admitted that England is
not acting in her own interest so much in the
character Of trustee for Canada The truth IS
recognized tha, England and America would
this trustecsLip were not a source - embarrass-
mcrt Those most familiar with the diplomatic
relations of the two countries in recent years
are SURPRISED that the Commission came go near
to an agreement when It had SO many vcxatious
subjects 20 discuss and are convinced that the
ultimate adjustment Of all issues IS wel-ngh
certain What is really important is the alb
scncc of bitterness and intol'rant spirit on zach
side The details are not yet worked out but
each country IL I'm the right temper for settling
diplomatic accounts
lir Henry White has already arranged for an
/ early invitation 10 Windsor that The now Am
lassador can present Secretary Hays letter OF
recall and his own credentials before the
/ Queens departure for the Riviera. Rooms have
I.cu secured for Mr. Choate at the West End
Hotel until he can obtain permanent house
Lord Curzon's house IS reserved for him. as tht
most Citing one yet available and can be fur
| rishcd according 10 his taste. II he arrives or
Thursday morning It will be on the day betweer
two Drawing Rooms. This will be unfortunate
as these are the opening events OF the season
There has been great pressure for invitations
10 the first Drawing Room. which the Queen her
self will hold. only four ladies can ever be pre-
scented through the American Embassy on q
eircle occasion: those who gain the honor at thi.
time are Mrs Joshua Wilbour VIE ~ the con
, snl at Dublin. Mrs. Benjamin Gable Of 81
Louis and Washington: Miss Mahclle Swift anC
Mis- Adelaide Murphy. both II New-York. one
of these ladies f. cousin Of Mrs. Colwell. wif'
- the naval attache who Will herself be- pre-
sen,ed in the diplomatic circle. II has als'
3 been arranged that Mrs. George Wurz. wife o
, the former secretary ~ the American Legation
! o., 81 potersburg shall Dee presented In the diplo
E .,,,ic circle with Mrs. Colwe The secont
Drawing Room VIII be less brilliant. fancl
ar,ss nou In the Grafton Galleries comes be
! ,..o, the two Drawing Rooms. and Is eXpectel
-, te a dayzling rcvel of color, which Will com
. ,r tho sornbrc effects of the period o