The times., 1899-03-13
COURT and GENERAL
GOSSIP OF London
How English Papers Regard
the Chinese Question.
Emperor William 5 kipling Message
Exciies Insular Comment.
Roynity Deserts the Capital. Which.
However. Comforts Itself With
Mr. Dooicy's BooL.

London, March l2.-The British lion and
The Russian bear came to uncomfortable
close quarters last week over the Chinese
troubles. The newspapers had already be-
gun TO talk of a serious crisis and a grave
outlook, but the diplomatic switchman
again succeeded in warding off a collision
on the subject of the northern railroads.
a conflict being averjed by Russian back
down. according TO the jinGoes. and by 4
compromise according to more impartial
observers.
The real explanation of the affair ap-
pears to be that Russia made a protest
against the British railroad contract part
ly as a feeler and partly as warning. II
the British Premier had shown weakness
Russia would have persisted; but. in any
case. Russia, By her protest elected q
ministerial statement in the House of Com
mons that the conditions of the loan did
not constitute foreign control. Thus Rus
sia obtained a pledge that no such inter
pretation would be placed on the contract
in the event of default. which Is further
substantial concession TO the Russian
claims in Northern China. On the other
hand, Lord Salisbury scored point IN Sc
curing a Withdrawal of the Russian pro
test Russia also gained point wlth
which she has good reason TO feel satis-
fed
The Times" thinks Lord Salisbury
achieved a considerable success which
must unquestionably strengthen Great
Britains position at Pckin. The paper,
however, also sees in the adjustment OF tha
dispute n triumph for the pacific and coz
ciliatory elements OF Russian statesman
ship and above all, practical expression
Of the Cars determination to meet Great
Britain half way in the remoyd! OF all the
regrettable misunderstanding which have
hitherto kept Great Britain and Russia
az art.
The Times" adds that il is sure the
British government is prepared 10 give
fuller recognition to accomplished facts
in the Northern Chinese provinces and TO
assist Russia in settling her position Oh
the basis Of reciprocity. This remark of
the Times" shows that the British now
accept the Russian influences in Manchuria
as accomplished facts. and that they only
expect their government to secure compsn-
sat!on in other directions
= Treasury Deficit.
The Conservative government has got
itself into financial straits. The publication
OF the naval estimates completes the vari-
Gus items of national expenditure. which
make a total of eII2. .IS5, 200, being an in
crease Of f4.iTl. eco over the estimates. 1t
Is probable that there will be a deficit of
over Gi,GO0. 0G0. which, it is expected, the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Michael
Hicks Beach, will meet by an a reimposi-
iion OF the former tobacco duty and an
increase of the income tax 10 ninepence.
The suggestion is made in the press that
the deficit be met by a suspension of
part of the sinking fund The city, how
ever is opposed 10 this as calculated 20
weaken the whole financial position of the
country in a time not only Of peace, but
of ample revenue and great prosperity.
4 ray of sunshine in the financial sit
uatioa is seen in the apparently booming
state of trade, as shown by the Board of
Trade returns. The imports since De-
cember show an increase Of Gl.i00. 600, as
compared with 1898. indicating that the
purchasing power of the country is still
growing. These satisfactory figures help
the Chancellor of the Exchequer in taking
a hopeful view of the revenue for the com
ing year. but they will not avert the ne
cessity OF new taxation
The Liberal press naturally makes the
most OF the governments financial diff
cuities. which are attributed TO the gov
policy of 'doles TO squirearchy'
and 10 eXtrayagances.
Rudyard hipling.
Emperor Williams message to Mrs.
Rudyard Kipling has naturally attracted
great attention. particularly the reference
10 our common race" The first impress
sion here was that Emperor William
thought Kipling was an American. espe-
cially as the German papers referred TO
the American author Kipling but IN
impression is erroneous. The Emperor
was a reader OF Kipling's writ ngs long
before the author settled in America. His
Majesty however. knew tnat X p!ing
wife was an American, and il is thought
he intended 10 include America when he
spoke OF the common race" The Spec
tator" today says: The Emperor is ev.-
IDENTIFY willing to substitute the Teuton for
the Angio-SaXoH as the ruling rae Of the
future. He did not venture to csli X pling
an American, but, being anxious that his
telegram should be taken as a compliment
10 Americans rather than Englishmen. the
German journals received hint to de-
scribe him as an American al least As
The Germans read KipliBg and knoT his
pedigree as well as We do, that is the only
explanation We can offer fo- their other
wise inexpiicable unanimity in bunder-
ing
The Spectator" in another article re-
marks 1t must be a singular experience,
even for Kipiing. to wake up from a Sc
Tious Illness and find that Two great peo-
pies have been interested in his fate that
an Emperor has grieyed for him in words
haYing the weight of q political manifesto.
and that his value to publishers has been
increased by hundreds, perhaps by thou
sands. year
The newspapers here still pay consider
coYeTy made by Rudyard KipIing. The
Times" on Friday prominently printed a
set OF verses after the style of The Bar
rack Room Ballads" and supposed to he
from Tommy Atkins to Kipling on His
Illness" The last verse ran:
We card tlst you were fighting ard. Just as We
know you would,
Er We 'ardly 'oped you'd turn his flank; they
said you 'Ardly could.
But. the news has come this morning, an I'm
There's no British son more 'apYy than your old
friend Thomas 4.
Salisbury, Royalty. and Doo!ey.
London has been favored with ideal
spring weather in the last week and there
has been a marked diminution Of influenza
The Marquis OF Salisbury caught bad
cold while returning from Windsor on the
occasion OF the formal presentation OF the
United States Ambassador. Joseph H.
'hoaie, 10 the Queen, and he has been con-
hned TO his house ever since. The Premier
is unable 10 preside at the Cabinet meet
ings or 10 hold the usual reception of the
members Of the Diplomatic Corps Mr..
Choate has not yet called formally at the
Foreign Office. The Ambassador and Mrs
'hoate have been inundated with invita-
lions to social events which are about to
take place All the Ambassadors have left
their cards.
The absence Of the Queen and the Prince
OF wales, respectively, from The opening
drawing room and leyea of the seaSon b.s