The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-26
LAST WEEKS EVENTS
FROM A BRITISH STANDPOINT.
--A-
Comment On the Failure of the Cana
dian-American Commission to
Reach an Agreement.
CHANGES IN LONDON TOWN
HOW THE PLACE WILL BE AFFECT
ED By THE MUNICIPALITIES BILL.
Rude Shock Caused by News of the
khaIifa's Activity I'm the sudan
Fall of New Liberal Leader.
rcopyrirht. 1899. BY the Associated press.l

1Na1NEA @"Nf - 49,
LONDON, Feb. 25.-The political piano.
rama has shown a succession of varied and
striking pictures this week. The attempt
70 burn Manila, the funeral Of the late
President Faure, the threatened lombard
ment Of Muscat by British war ships, the
resurrection of the Khalifa and the reported
death of the Ameer of Afghanistan were
unfolded to the public gaze in rapid sue
~cesslon, while the proceedings in Parlia-
ment formed a background of unusual in
terest. -
The adjournment Of the Anglo-Saxon
commission at Washington has caused a
feeling of deep regert here, and the opti-
mistic tone of the British Foreign Office ex-
PLANTATION is not reflected by the general
public, 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 cheerily remarks: 1.-THE fact
that business arrangements in particular
points affecting large vested interests in
both countries cannot be satisfactorily
reached unexpectedly affects the friend
ship of the nations as a whole. Nations are
still aggregates and not PERSONS
The Spectator says: Arbitration seems
TO be a difficult mode Of settling interna-
tional disputes. The professional diplo-
AtailSNO dN6 a IASnt " GuuNAit a lllNAC.
The st. James Gazette. during the course
OF a long article on Americas refusal to ac-
cept an umpire, headed 9TH inconsistency
OF the United States contends that Amer
Tea now refus what she agreed TO in the
case of the Venezuelan arbitration, when
King Oscar was empowered to appoint an
umpire, and says: The English commits
sioners in the present case therefore have
not made a proposal unfamiliar to the United
States, yet they met with a refusal. I'm
der these circumstances we are compelled
10 ask what the United States really want.
They know an umpire is necessary. Let
them then choose a man from the accept
able candidates, after discussion with our
selves. Unless they make some such pro-
posal or offer a satisfactory settlement on
the boundary line we shall be compelled to
suspect either the sincerity of their protes-
tations Of friendship and gratitude at Great
Britain's recent diplomatic assistance or
their willingness to abide in a doubtful case
by the principle of arbitration, whereof they
are the foremost champions and greatest
benefciaries in the past
The events at Manila have been followed
here with intense interest, and there has
been general condemnation of the Filipinos'
attempt to burn the town. The Speaker
calls It a Suicidal policy" which will only
iniure themselves. The Spectator says:
1.-THE movement of the negroes and other
non-Tagalos races in favor of the Amer
leans is genuine. 1t will not only yield the
latter material for a Sepoy army, but, what
IS more important, it will furnish them
with moral Justification for their empire
A private cablegram received in London
computes the loss to foreign merchants by
the bombardment of Iloilo at $5,00o.OO0. Only
one European warehouse, it appears, es-
capped. @%*
An announcement very fattering to the
United States was made in the House of
Commons this week, when the president of
the Board of Trade, Mr.. c. 7. Richie,
promised to introduce a bill to compel rail-
road companies TO adopt automatic coup
lings. Mr.. Richie, in so doing, said that
the assistant secretary having charge OF
the railway department Of the Board of
Trade, Mr. Francis J. S. Hopwood, recently
returned from a mission to the United
States, and had reported highly in favor
of the American system. He showed indis-
putably that there had been a great saving
Of life since the adoption of automatic
couplings on the American railroads.
The Daily News, commenting on the
above, says: AN interesting feature of
the proposal is that it is frankly avowed
TO be the result of a lesson from experience
an the United States. Our public depart
nents hitherto have not been very ready
10 admit that they had anything to learn
Trade" So"
The London municipalities bill, introduced
in the House OF Commons on Feb. %, by
Mr.. Arthur ]. Balfour. the government
leader in that house and first lord of the
treasury. las been well received generally.
The most striking feature of the bill is the
revival of the ancient city of Westminster.
which will comprise the whole OF the
onormouslv valuable and busy area from
TempIe Bar to Knights Bridge. and from
oxford street to the River Ihames, IN
which are included nearly all the theaters;
clubs. government offices, parks, royal
palaces, embassies and the aristocratc DIS
fricts of Belgravia and Mayfair. II VIII De
five times the size OF the city OF Lohuol
proper, with five times its population. and
1t will be a serious rival or the ancient city
OF London, whose ratable value IS 544SoVV9,
while that of the city or Westminster Is
f4SAO0O. The imperial and social lmpor-
tance of the new city will be tremendous.
sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, after
such an excellent start on his new mount.
the Liberal leadership. came a c~ropper'
Yesterday evening at the first hurdle. Mr..
Tohn Morley. the former chief secretary for
ireland under the Liberal government, chal-
lenged the government on its Sudan policy
nv moving a reduction or the supplementary
estimates. Sir Edward Grey, Liberal. form
erlv parliamentary secretary OF the foreign
office. rose and pointed out that the Khar-
fum expedition was necessary in conse-
ouence Of acts TO which Mr.. Morley, as a
Cabinet minister. gave his assent. Then SIR
Henry embellishments spoke, tried
the impossible feat of agreeing with both of
his associates and ended by voting with Mr..
Morley, who was supported by Mr.. La
bouchere and the front opposition bench.
hut over a dozen Liberals, including one
whip. voted with the government. Mr.. Her
bert Henry Asquith, the former Liberal
recrctary Of state for home affairs, and
some Others abstained from voting. This
diversion presents,the Liberals as being in a
piflfuf condition OF divided councils and the
Tebun Of Sir Henry Campbel1-Bannerman's
leadership Is the subject Of general COM
ment to-day.
Lord James OF Hereford (the famous
Queens counsel. Henry James,. chancellor
OF the Duchy Of Lancaster. has introduced
an important government bill In the House
Of Lords as the outcome of the recommends
tons OF the commission which recently In
vestigated the usury systems. The bill pro-
T1des that every money lender must be reg
fstered and must do business solely IN his
own name. In cases where the interest aN-
ceeds 10 per cent, or when the incident
charges are excessive, the courts may re-
open the transaction and give Judgment in
accordance with all the risks and crcum-
stances of the case. The lenders, as well as