New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-11
LONDON.
THE BUOYANT TENDENCT OF PUBLIC
OPINION REGARDING VAR
OPERATIONS
DISCUSSION OF THE PROPOSED CANAL.
TEEATT-THE IRISH NATIONALISTS
AND THE LIBERALS


lBY CABLE To THE TRIBCNE-l
Loudor Feb. 10-The English people are
bearing with fortitude and sJeadiness the trials
and burdens OF war which they now perceive
viii be a prolonged and exhausting campaign
The tone OF public feeling Is lower N the West
End Of London than anywhere else in the United
Kingdom This Is because there are more idlsrs
there with more leisure for nopine and croak-
ing II is in the great industrial section OF Eng
land. Lancashire. Yorkshire and NOrrhumbsr-
land that public feeling is most bu0yant and Il
has found timely expression IN the bye-elecrion
al York, where a district naturally Liberal has
gone strongly Unionist on the single question OF
fighting the battle Of the Empire. Even IN Lon
don, with all the complex artillery problems oS
the unique defensive warfare on the Tugela and
all the disappoinrmeEJs OF the Ladysnith en-
tangIement. there is better courage and greater
patience
The example OF the colonies has been most in
spiriting. the loyalty OF Canada and Australia
IS convincing proof that the unity OF the Empire
is issue for which The largest sacrifices OF
men and treasure can be made with cheerful
ness II is the reflex influence OF the colonies
that has strengthened the Government and IN
vigurated English opinion; inspires The
Spectator" today with the unique proposal that
Parliament shah vote money for monument in
the heart Of London 10 the men Of Canada. AUS
tralia- New-Zealand and South Africa q o have
fallen in defence Of the Empire
Another source Of strength and confidence is
Lord SalisbUry's diplomacy, which offers pow
erfuI safeguard against European Intervention
Whatever apprehensions may be entertained On
this subject by the English press, which at
taches Importance to every -urnOr from Paris.
St Petersburg and Brussels. IL is certain that
the Ministers themselves are confident thar the
European Powers VIII not intervene even Il the
doom OF Ladys1nith be sealed.
The German Emperor stands II the way of
European Intervention and VIII block IL He
has his own naval policy 10 work and his
own difficulties in controlling domestic opinion.
but he is strongly committed TO the support OF
England in South Africa. and his friendship IS
safeguard against meddlesome activity IN
Russia and France IN attempting 10 bring about
England's humiliation II cannot be doubted
I that whatever may De the tone OF the German
press, the relations Of the British and Berlin
Governments have never been closer or more
cordial than AZ present The Queens OWE infiu-
ence over the German Emperor and the Russian
Empress is also an important element NOT 10 be
left out Of account in balancing the chances and
probabilities OF European Intervention in South
Africa.
The English press continues 70 express sur
prise that the Foreign ONCE should have sane
toned the revision OF the Clayton -BuIwer
Treaty without obtaining some cornpensaling
advantage in some other quarter. This note OF
criticism is already fainter, the fact that Sir
Wilfrid Laurier, when he had the power of veto
/ ing The treaty, took broad view OF the question
and acted like a true Colonial Irnperialist rather
than provincial politician satisfies nearly AL
the journals hare that the convention has been
altered in the spirit OF mutual accommodation
and goodwill That was the ground on which
Lord Salisbury was approached eighteen months
ago, and he has made whatever concessions
were involved IN the new draft without bargain
ing secretly for any favOrs OF privileges IN
Alaska anywhere else The only condition On
which the British Government insisted was the
regulation Of the canal on the Suez principles
The Spectator, which was the first English
journal 10 propose not the revision bur even the
abrogauion Of the Clayton -BuIVer Treaty as a
I reasonable concession 10 American opinion now
warmly approves the settlement which has been
officially proposed Il even asserts that the
anti-fortifcaJion clause. so far from having been
forced by the Foreign Ofice upon the stare De-
partment is against British interests which
would be promoted Dy the maintenance Of forts
at each end OF the canal
Some reference has been made BY American
journals tn Mr.. BIaiue's views respecting the
fortihcation of the canal. on this point can give
i personal testimony. During the last week OF
December. 1890. being on the eve Of sailing for
I Cuba. Mexico and Nicaragua, 7 spent the morn
ing with Secretary Blaine at his house. and
asked him whether. in MS Judgment, it would
/ be necessary 10 for-ify the ends OF the Mica
ragua Canal He answered that the ends OF the
canal did not admit Of successful defence and
hence that Qualifications there were impractical
BILE Pointing out the map the group OF ISL
I ands in Lake Nicaragua, he said that IL might
+ be practicable 20 put an American garrison
+ there and he asked me 70 look al them when 7
went through the lake ThrcughOut this con-
versation Secretary Blaine conrende6 that
/ American control over the caGai could be So
/ cured by the privilege OF landing marines in
+ emergencies. as had been done az Panama for
/ the protection OF the railway and thar en-
/ Eineers had convinced him that the ends OF the
canal could not be fortified. Whatever might
I have been his previous views expressed n state
/ papers in President Gardeld's rin1e.
The Senator'S who are talking OF defeating
/ OF the ends OF the canal ousht az least TO OBJ
/ tain the opinions Of military experts on the
/ practicabil.ry Cf defending Gre-towu. The real
/ defences OF the canal are powerful fleet and
/ outlying is ards IKE ST. John and St Thomas.
\ where there are harbors capable OF being con-
verted into impregne5le naval and eoaling sta
\ tions.
| The sessions Of Parliament are attracting
/ large audiences since there IS ucrle recreation
1 during this dreary winter. and the is ths
/ only tonic of conversation The ladies' gal
/ lery is hlled daily. especially az the question
/ hour and members are overwhelmed with ap-
/ plicatons for seats. Mr.. BalTour is leading thu
/ House with unusual lethargy. and NJ. Cham
\ berlain has lost hiss aggressive manner. and
seems bent upon making a reputation for ex-