The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-11

dered. acknowledged in all that II need claim,
unchallenged unless By rebellion (which the
war policy seems directed to provoke). and at
all times secured by Overwhelmingly superior
strength. The argument for the war policy
has been stated at some length. In order
that the best OF 1t may DO brought to
view. Tho argument for the peace policy
speaks out in nearly every detail from
tho shortest description OF its starting
point and purpose. leave this detail to
be followed in all its branches by the thought
and Imagination OF the reader. who cannot
have an easier task. and when he has spent,
or spent once more. ten minutes Of time upon
it. l will ask him to put before himself tho
question which these remarks are intended
to pore. Terms OF settlement being again
debated between the British Government and
the Government Of the Transvaal. 10 the dis
cusson more likely to prosper under the
guiding consideration and determining aim
OF the paramountcy or OF the fusionist policy2
THE new proposals. seem likely to be In full
debate i'm mediatsly. which Is one reason for
putting the question. Another Is that the Uit-
landers twho have now been made parties to
settlement. practically seem already detsrm-
inod to 20 beyond the new proposals and push
the lighting policy to q conclusion. For
third reason. IL looks as II the insistsnt claims
OF the Transvaal Government to the abb
IokdtlOn VI buLeEh'uLy, VI 10 iuhoE luuepou-
dence OF Great Britain in external affairs than
is now acknowledged. might be turned to ac-
count by the fighting party. II. however. those
claims are treated properly they will be reject
ed forthwith and never again listened to. And
being finally disposed Of. they will signify
nothing. unless the Doors take arms in sup
port Of them. in which tincredible) case Tight
ing there will be. OF course"
The new proposals are. In fact, already
under discussion. Mr. Cham berlain sticks to
his policy OF playing with his cards thrown on
the table His plan 10 to take up his list OF re-
forms seriatum and have them granted In rea-
sonabls shape or 60 to war. This country 10
with him all the time. for it feels there 10 no
man so well suited a. he for the business.
none that knows so clearly what he wants or
feels 30 confident OF getting It.
For long time dramatic critics have been
urging Sydney Grundy to abandon the work OF
adaptation and give US something OF his own.
Last night Mrs. Langtry produced his "Degen-
crates" at the Haymarket Theatre. and tho crit
les had their desire. This morning they suggest
that Mr.. Grundy had better return 70 adapta-
ton. They complain that his Original COM
edy" contains but little. ifany. originality. that
the sat ire on prtssnt-day society 10 overdrawn
and the brutal realism" ovsrshoots the mark
ter than Mr.. Grundy." writes one prominent
critic. that the social fabric would be impos-
sible. II society were the hollow and immoral
sham here portrayed" These complaints
would seem fairly justified II one considered
the "DeEenerates" from the ordinary point Of
view. merely as drama. Sydney Grundy has
evidently taken little pains to find new and
original situations; indeed. he has taken very
well-worn material with which to construct his
play. as may be seen from a short synopsis.
In the first act the DeRenerates meet in Lady
saumarez's drawing-room. There is a lady
society journalist" who writes column for
tho Corset" and has absolutely nothing to do
with the action Of the play. There is q
Viscount Stornoway. who 10 never seen
sober. talks like a drunken cabman. and be-
haves even worse. He speaks Of his wife AZ
his 'Donah," treats her brutally in public. and
when coffee s offered him by Lady Summaries
servant. asks Indignantly il the man takes
him for a blooming teetotaller." There 10
also worse little stage Jew. with an exagger-
ated jewish nose and accent. who poses as o
Christian and accuses fellow nnancier OF be-
ing nothing but an old Jew" The latter
character. o lucky millionaire in a chronic
state Of detection. 10 an excellent sketch. From
his father he Inherited f3.000.O0O and weak
heart. and from his mother f5.0O0.0OO and
half a lung." he lives on lozenges and is weary
Of his never-failing luck. Together with q
manservant. these are all the secondary char
aeters; they have nothing whatever to do with
the pieces action. ard have faded from sight
and memory by the end OF the second act.
or tho primary characters we are first intro
duced in their frat scene to Lady Saumarez
Miss Lily Hanbury). and the Duke OF Ormo
(Mr. Charles Hawtrey). The Duke. man still
young. a man of the world who hae gone the
pace. wearied OF it, and spent the last i've
years in searching for what he calls "A woman"
40 far without success. Lady Saumarez. at
the opening Of the play is shown as the jealous
wife-jealous OF Mrs. Trevelyan Mrs. Ian gtry).
Mrs. Trevelyan drops in late In the evening
and makes an assienation with Sir William for
midnight OF the following night. which 10 over
heard by Lady Saunarez. The guests then
| depart. and Lady saumarez tells her husband
| that II he keeps the assignation. she will. at
the same hour. take tho Same step with Mr.. De
| Lorano. the villain OF the play. De Lorano
| Is an unpre posses gentleman Of q
| somewhat indefinite foreign extraction,
| who talks when he thinks OF 1t. with
| continental" accent. and, for the rest.
| Ia trying to float. with Sir Williams money. .
| Brazilian sapphire mine. which has at different
| times been diamonds. copper, and other valu-
able matters. De Lorano has offered to bet his
yacht against Mrs. Trevelyan's horse Blue
| jacket, tne WlnheT OF TWO racer. tnht inc Gnu
| OF the season Lady Saumarez is In the divorce
court. and that he will appear as co-respond dent.
When Lady Saumarez threatens her husband
| to elope with this hardly fascinating person II
| he keeps his appointment with Mrs. Trevely an.
Sir William tells her bluntly that she may and
| welcome.
The first act carries the action thus far. In
the second tho curtain rises on Mrs. TrevelyAn
and the Duke OF Prime. The time 10 before
midnight the place. Mrs Trevelyan's boudoir
Mrs. TrevelyAn is making love to the Duke.
and occasionally lamentinR that on the NOR
row. her daughter. who has been In French
convent school for fvs years. Is coming homo.
big girl OF sixteen. to make her mother
appear no longer young woman. At
this point the daughter. Una Trevel-
yam Miss Lily Grundy, the playwriRht's
daughterl comes in. having unexpected >
caught day boat across the Channel Mrs
Trsvelyan Is Alady. as will be pointed out later
on. with several 'pAsts." and the appearance
| OF Una, with her Ingenious pride in and afieo-