New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-01
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
THE NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS
LONDON.
BRITISH EsTIMATEs OF THE WEALTH
OF THE PHILIPPINES.
A THOROUGH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY RECON-.
MENDED-THE TRANSvAAL DISOR-
DERS-ART NOTES.
fBY CABLE TO THE rnrBuyE.l

MENDED-THE TRANsvAAL DISOR-
DERs-ART NOTES.
GBY CABLE TO THE rniBuyEl
London. Dec 31.-This being moralists' day
"The Times" sums UP the history Of the world
In thirteen columns. OF which two are devoted
to America Every Englishman knows in his
heart what has been the most helpful event OF
the year for his own country 1t has been the
American with SPAIN by which the two
great branches OF the Anglo-Saxon race have
been brought into harmonious relations. A year
ago there public discussion Of the question
Of Englands food supply in time Of war; nobody
has anything now TO say about the possibility
OF starvation in war time. American good feel
ing secures England at the point where she
is vulnerable. This matter is generally UNDER
stood. although II is not mentioned In the
views Of the year nor in the leaders on the open
door Englands position on the Continent and
her hold upon the colonies have been greatly
strengthened by the friendly relations with VIC
torious America entering upon new career OF
expansion. This It is that has made the old
year a good year for Merry England.
The Philippine disturbances are not regarded
serious by Englishmen who have practical
knowledge OF the islands Mr. Sawyer an en-
gileer who was in the Philippines fourteen
years and in consular service there, scouts the
idea that Americans will need large military
force there. or that they will have any perma-
nent trouble In governing the natives. He 10
confident that a native army with American
officers can be organized in a short time for the
maintenance Of order. Practical men who
have been in the islands confirm the ideas
which Mr. Chamberlain holds in regard to the
mineral wealth Of Americas South Sea posses
sons They assert that of the first meas
adopted By Congress should be act for
equipping scientific nmission for complete
geological survey of the Philippine group. The
larger. islands unexplored and IL is probable
that there rich gold districts in the interior.
we'll copper. iron and coal beds In the
smaller islands. Experts agree that the impor-
tant work undertaken by the American Gov
ernment for civilization should begin with the
organization OF a complete geological survey by
the best scientific talent available from colleges
and mining schools
The American cruiser Albany which was
bought with the New Orleans, Is nearly ready
to be launched al Newcastle Tyne. part
lnupaept required for her was sent to
America befeTsstAex outbreak Of the war, and
the remainder willHSe supplied when the ship
IS completed, during Ss1bsxt few months. Lieu
tenant Colwe. United States Naval Attache.
who has done more work during the last year
than any other American official in Europe will
attend the launch early in the year. The Albany
will be a sister ship OF the New-Orleans, with
precisely the same armament.
The Liberal members Of Parliament are deep
In backstairs politics over the vacant leadership
Of the House Of Commons. Mr. Labouchere as
sumes that Mr. Asquith Will be the official can
Gidate. although he himself prefers Mr.. Herbert
Gladstone There has been nothing like a full
poll OF Liberal members. although the whips are
quietly canvassing for the first and second
choices Well-informed Liberals assert that
when Parliament meets there will be no con-
test. but only candidate. and he an unwilling
one dragged into harness. There are rumors
that the preliminary meeting will be held at
Lord Roseberys House. but this seems unlikely.
when there is general agreement that the leader
ship Of the whole party should be left open and
the successor OF Sir William Harcourt quietly
chosen with as little disturbance possible.
Men like Mr.. Labolchere favor the reduction Of
the party platform 20 simple issue like the
abolition Of the veto power in the House OF
Lords: shrewder observers maintain that the
success of an aggressive policy against the
Lords Is unlikely without popular agitation, and
that no signal for such agitation can be given
while the Unionsts remain In power. Some OF
the most thoughtful Liberals affirm that Lord
Roseberv's great mistake his neglect when
in office 10 have a bill sent up to the Lords to
allow any member OF the upper house TO sit In
the lower house whenever he should prefer 10 do
So They believe that this will be an effective
method Of enabling Lord Rosebery 10 lead the
party in the Commons and forcing the Union!sts
20 consent TO some scheme for menfng rather :
than ending the House of Lords
Meanwhile. Sir William Harcourt is winding
up the ritual debate in temperate tone, but
with clear perception Of the truth that he has
played an important par; I'm forcing sluggish
bishops TO yt1 an md 20 lawless acts within the
English Church t.e has been reviled for drag
ging religion mo politics. and lampooned as
though he ", another Kensit. Time has
brought his vr ics,ion in the resolute stand
made by the bishops 10 enforce the law within
the Church The Archbishop OF Canterbury has
done more than anybody else to restore peace
in the distracted Church and 10 rescue the
Establishment from public agitation. He has
cleared the air by defining what Is legal and
Illegal doctrine and practice. and has earned the
reputation Of being the most statesmahlike An
glican Primate OF the Victorian reign.
The efforts OF several journals to magnify the
last furry Of discomfort in the Transvaal have
failed. President Kriiger is known to be con-
ciliatory and while there is injustice In Boer
dealings with the Uitlande"s there is no irnme-
diate method Of redress. Jameson and Rhodes
between them have parayzed the Colonial OF
fee for long time TO come. The franchise
would have been extended ty this time II there
had been no lawess invasion by night-riders.
Mining business In the Transyaal has greatly
improved during the year. and political agita-
tion is the last thing which British investors
want in that quarter. Besides as The Specta-
ior" reads the lesson In n impressive tcne TO-
day the united English speaking race wnhe
equal to the rest Of the world, must govern Win