New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-23
WHAT LONDON TALKS OF.

London. April -.
THE PHILIPPINE SITUATION.-The news from
the Philippine Islands OF the retirement OF General
r.rton from the Santa Cruz district and the capt
ura NJ the boats crew OF the United States gun
hoat yorktown has made considerable impress
sion here and the comments OF the press all re-
feet anxiety lest the unfavorable news have dis
couraeinR effect upon Americas expansion move
ments Prominence Is given to dispatches Hom
America apparently indicating cooling oil punnc
oninjon regarding the Philippine Islands and the
general tenor Of the British press deprecates this
seeming tendency to gloominess pointing out that
upon Innumerahle occasions British arms have met
with a check only eventually TO conquer all OBJ
staccs.
we were discouraged after Isandula where on
January 90 1879 the British camp In that part OF
Zuuand was surprised and attacked by ABOUT
fifteen thousand Zulus and two British colonels a
number of other officers and about eight hundred
men were killed while two thousand zulus were
left dead on the fed)" remarks one paper hut We
are beyond the Zambes all the same.
Discussing General Lawton's retirement THE
Speaker" says:
The movement appears reflection. so natura !
that any other course. we argue would pc CT mn,
ned by results The real significance Of the ap-
parent check is TO pe looked Tor In Amercs se
There Is little doubt that when the freslnehual
contest recurs the Administration will not nave 10
reckon with disorganised and discredited zoe M
cos, and the suferngs of the troops VIII nelp the
Democrstic reaction and the repatrated troops
not likely TO be missionaries o. imperIahSSsh, AZ
r msv verv well combine with other factors to
strengthen the new Democratic opunst pa ~ ~
which may make good fight I'm 1900 even IN tne
East.
"Tbe snActator' praises the United States Gov
Arnments wise policy in sending Regulars TO the
Philippines and telling the party volunteers that
they may 20 as fast as they like Continuing
hrhtcts here lin The Philippines only mean loss
Of time. and the Americans. like us must nave
their grumbe." .,,..
strain and pooh-p oohs the idea that the Amer
leans admit they are i3compe ~ to addne
The Americans not the people 10 yieio Whhe
they are openly dehed. They are too vain as well
as too resolute.
PEACE ILLUSIONS GONE-According 10 ad-
vices from excellent authority, not even the most
sanguine Of those concerned now expect any SUD-
stantial progress to be made at the coming Peace
Conference towards either disarmament or even
a suspension of armamepts. The Car himself and
his encourage reported to have lost their ilu-
sions on the subject. and 1t is said that the pro-
ceedings and treating of military and naval ques-
t;ons will be confined TO the merest generalites.
None of the decisions will be binding and even in
the matter OF international arbitration. II anything
is agreed TO- it will not be absolutely obligatory.
The British newspapers this week have warmly
taken up the question OF Emperor Williams choice
OF Professor Won Stengel as German delegate to
the conference 1t is pointed out that Judging
from his writings he is declared advocate OF
war and not Of peace Therefore the papers here
confess themselves being nonplussed at his Sc
lection. and declare 1t is hardly possible the Ger
man Emperor can desire the success OF the confer
ence If he maintains his nomination Extracts from
Professor Won Stengers pamphlet. Der Ewige
F1edo" ("The Everlasting Peace. have been re-
produced Some OF his references to America are
decidedly interesting After declaring that the
Germans least Of all nations. should support the
fantastic aspirations OF the friends of peace" he
says:
The Americans intoxicated with success. will
strive more and more to become the dominant
Power and dictate their law TO Europe in any con-
test between America and Europe. Shall Germany
stand peacefully on one side and bow humbly be-
fore America? Certainly not. This is already i'm
possible because political dominion is also eco
nomc dominion. and Germany must be POLITICALLY
and militarily powerful II she does not wish 10 go
to economic destruction.
Further on Professor Won stengel declares he
does not know whether II mere madness or
crime when perpetual peace preached 10 the
German nation and describes the Cars rescript
David Christie Murray, in The London Morn
ing to-day remarks that Europe Is anxious to
learn II after this frank expression Of his opinions
Professor Won Stengel's appointment will be con-
frmed by Emperor william, adding that II so Il
a
IN PARLIAMENT.-The proceedings in the Brit
ish Parliament this week were mainly OF domestic
interest The Marquis of Salisbury. who has re-
turned to London from the South Of France, reap
peared in the House OF Lords on Friday evening.
His holiday on the Riviera has resulted In great
improvement in his health Much amusement was
caused by the fact that he has had his usually long
hair closely cropped. with the result. as one paper
says. OF transferring him from cavalier INTO
Roundhead"
The most interesting Parliamentary business was
the introduction by the Lord Chief Justice. Baron
Russell of Killowen OF his bill against Illicit secret
commissions in business, which custom the report
Of the investigating committee OF the London
Chamber OF Commerce recently denounced so
strongly and urged the adoption Of legislative
measures TO correct IT, Lord Russell thundered
against secret commissions with an indignation
which awed even the House of Lords. His bill
proposes 10 extend the law affecting public bodies
commissions on all business transactions, max
I Log sIIn mentioned number Of cases some Of
them very painful. showing the prevalence or me
morals The Lord High Chancellor. Earl Halls
bury. gave the bill hestating welcome. but the
newspapers generally warmly welcome the measure
and urge the adoption of its essential features.
THE TRANSVAAL MENACED.-The increase OF
the British garrison at the Cape OF Good Hope
from thirty-three hundred men three years ago TO
nine thousand men has been leading TO the i'm
preston that some move was premeditated against
the Transvaal Republic. and the Liberal leader In
the House OF Commons. Sir Henry Campbell Ban
herman asked the Government on Friday evening
what it meant. A. J. Balfour. the Government
leader. fenced the question ard finally declared !,
was merely due 10 the necessity OF protecting the
coaling stations But. he added:
There are conceivable possibilities which might
make these troops necessary.
The Liberal papers to-day comment on the situa-
ton and ask II Great Britain IL preparing to seize
the Transvaal They point out that the per
ma nent establishment OF big garrisons IN south
withdra wing troops from the colonies The Star
declares that ''hemming the Transvaal win Brit
danger in the future.
LABOR TROU BLES.-The position 81 the Lanca-
shire mills is becoming extremely serious. The
wsavers In the northeast are demanding 10 per