New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-07
THE NEWS OFTWO CAPITALS
LONDON.
FAVORABLE OMENs FOR THE PEACE
CONFERENCE-ANGL
GOODWILL.
THE CORDIAL RECEPTION GIVEN n
THE AMERICAN RESPONSE TO ENG
LIsH EXPRESSIONS OF SYMPATHY"
THE CHURCH QUESTION
STILL A BURNING ONE.

-IhE CHURCH QUESTION
STILL A BURNING ONE
EBY CABLE TO THE rRIBuxEl
London, May 6-The Peace Conference AZ Tha
Hague commands public attention not only be-
cause II Is unique diplomatic body. but also
because European relations have been ordered
SO as to be in close accord with It's chief mo-
tive. There could not be more favorable time
for preconcerted action by the Great Powers in
the direction OF the Limitation OF armaments
The Chinese question has resolved Itself into a
practical problem of arranging spheres OF innu-
ence on the principle that there is room enough
Tor all In Asia" and there is an open door for
the future partition OF the Empire without dis
sehslon or war The Near East Is as quiet as
the Far East. French mtarism is paralyzed by
the intrigues OF the General StafY in the Drey-
fus case, and German militarism is unable TO
give single ineligible reason for the recent
additions to the Army and Navy budgets There
Is no cloud as large a mans hand anywhere
In the sky except. possibly in 'he Transvaal
England finds It easy to come to an agreement
with one Power after another over frontiers
and spheres Of influence; no nation is dreading
an outbreak Of war. and all countries are taxed
to the point OF exhaustion. The Peace Confer
ence Is happily timed. and fits in with existing
conditions of diplomacy; 1t follows the line Of
least possible resistance in European affairs.
The full list OF delegates TO the Conference
shows that at least twenty-four nations will be
represented when the sessions open I'm the gaud-
fly decorated Orange Hall of the Huis ten
Bosch. and that many OF the best military and
naval experts and masters OF international law
will be present. Baron De Staal Sir Julian
Pauncefote, Count Minister and NJ. Bourgeois
will he obi Of md
owing to her recent agreements with Germany,
Russia and France. will be in a commanding po-
siton for making her influence felt in favor
OF restrictions upon armaments The American
delegates are expected TO play great part In
the conference. President Seth Low and Captain
Mahan will spend few days in London before
going to The Hague and will probably be en-
tertained by the American Ambassador on their
arrival next Wednesday.
A pamphlet entitled AN American esponse
10 Expressions Of English sympathy" has been
received by the Anglo-American Committee; Il
has found its way into the newspaper Offices.
where 1t is regarded with satisfaction as a dig
nifed and hearty response 10 the resolution
| adopted by an influential meeting Of English
men at Stafford House. When that meeting was
held Americans were preoccupied with the ex-
! citement OF war, and the promoters OF the
English movement were disappointed when their
efforts seemed to lack appreciation in the United
States. This reply, with fifteen hundred sigma
lures from every State In the Union makes full
amends for what was then regarded Ameri-
can Indifference to overtures OF exceptional
warmth It's terms are described by The Daily
Chronicle" as cordial and felictous, and other
journals are impressed with the heartiness OF
lar h0d 0dv nj
representative Americans.
Another proof Of Anglo-American good-fellow-
ship is furnished by the overtures made to the
American Society in London In connection with
the banquet in honor OF the Queens eightieth
birthday. While this banquet has been planned
by Sir William Robinson, Sir Walter Besant
and others as a tribute from the most distin-
guished men OF letters and art in England and
while special provision is made for full repre-
sentation from the Colonies leading Americans
here have been asked to take prominent part
In the affair. There will be an American table
at the banquet in the Hotel Cecil. and there
will be a toast to the United States the Oldest
English colony. with a reply from Colonel James
L. Taylor who will point the obvious moral that
a good deal has happened since jamestown and
Plymouth
Lord Rosebery has emerged from retirement
as man Of the future, who dates back his
principles fourteen years. and coyly disclaims
any intention OF returning TO active politics.
His first speech at the News-Vendors' dinner In
which he advised the Sunday journals to pro-
claim the Truce OF God, was evidently pre-
arranged with his friend Mr. Alfred Harms
worth owner of THE Daily Mail" for that
Journal has promptly offered to suspend It's
Tlafi nj"
low its example II is not impossible that both
journals may abandon this experiment each
under pressure from the competition OF the
other. hut whether this be done not. Lord
Rosebery. by discussing the Sunday question.
has made a subtle appeal TO the Nonconformist
Coincidence and may be credited with an in
qenious political stroke. Sir William Harcourt
had already strengthened his hold upon that
powerful element OF the Liberal party by MS
poemics against lawlessness in the Church' out
Lord Rosebery has also discerned his oppor-
tunlty and made full use OF II.
His second speech last night before the City
Liberal Club was another political manpuvre
destined to have a momentous influence upon
the fortunes OF divided party He virtually
unclaimed himself a Liberal-Unionist going
hack 10 the Liberalism OF 1885, throwing over
Irish Home Rule and accepting nothing tnat ~
since interviewed With the single exception oi
Imperialism Lord Rosebery and Mr. Chamoer-
lain might reconstruct the Liberal party ON t"o
basis Of the principles OF 1885. but there are no
signs that they are drawing together for future
action. They could easily stand under the same
umbrella although Mr.. Chamberlain wouio
probably Insist upon holding It. One Is as sood
on Imperialist as the other. and they probably
are In hearty accord In thinking that Ireland
with the new Local Government Act, has a.
much Home Rule as England VIII ever allow her
10 have.
Such a coalition would substitute a Tory De-
mocracy for Radicalism. and the advanced SEQ
ton of the Liberal party might be conciliated.