New-York tribune., 1900-12-29
NO HURRY OVER TREATY
PROSPECTS OF DELIBERATE ACTION
OVER THE AMENDMENTS.
vILE-ELEcTRIc CURRENT GOES
ASTRAY.
Copyright; 1900: By The New-Yorl rrfbunel
TBY CABLE To THE TRIBUNE.l

Copyright; 1900: By The New-Yora rrbuneI
fBY CABLE To THE TRIBUNEl
London. Dec. % 6 a. m-The American Frn
bassy has not received instructions respecting
the amended text OF the Hay-Pauncefote
Treaty and has not reopened negotiations with
the Foreign Office. II does not know whether
the convention as amended by the Senate will
he communicated through Lord Pauncefote or
through the American Ambassador here and it
has not taken any measures for ascertaining the
attitude of the Foreign Office While the con-
vertion has passed outside the orbit of journal
ism. since the press here has ceased comment
upon the subject it has not yet swung into the
milky way Of diplomacy That is a section of
the celestial sphere where haste is unknown. II
may safely be assumed that when the Foreign
once is consulted there will be deliberate action.
The period for ratification can be extended by
the two Governments indefinitely and negotia-
tions over the amendments may not be
Guided for many months. The Foreign Office
can reject the amendments outright, and in this
way Kill the treaty, but there IS no public
element here over the canal question nor any
popular demand that Lord Lansdowne shall re-
buke and discipline the United States Govern
ment. The interests Of Anglo-American good
feeling viii be promoted by the temporary with
drawal Of the whole subject from current dis
cussion, and by painstaking, deliberate effort
to ascertain by diplomatic means whether
practical method Of revision or readtustment Of
the amendments cannot be found which will
receive the sanction Of both Governments and
also the Senate next winter.
The case Of General Colvile is still wrapped in
a veil Of mystery, and the situation is not rem
dered much clearer by the official notification
Of the resignation of Colonel spragge, who COM
manded the battalion of yeomanry that was
captured at Iindlay. Lieutenant Woodhouse Of
the same battalion, has also resigned, and this
seems in accordance with a statement made in
the House Of Commons a fortnight ago by Mr..
Brodrick, who anticipated the two designations
and certain steps with regard to a third person.
The facts Of the case have never really been
made public, and the War Office is not likely to
throw any new light on it at this jGncture.
There were dozen military sets already in
the West End, each with its pets and grievances,
and now there is another in formative stage
Sir Henry Colvile who has been ordered to re-
sign his military post. presumably on account
Of his responsibility for the disasters at Lindley
and Sanna's Post, has been too active soldier
since he Joined the Grenadiers thirty years ago
to become carpet knight and fashionable IA
vorite in West End drawing rooms, but he
stands for the Guards. and that privileged corps
of the British army never lacks social support
Already Mr.. Brodrick is criticised for enforcing
q new principle Of army discipline and bringing
on scandal worse than the publication Of the
spion Kop dispatches. The smart sets were
convinced months ago that the cemetery Of mill
tary regulations in South Africa was over
stocked and that the gates must be closed and
no fresh interments allowed. They disapprove
the action taken in the case Of General Colvile
Military men explain it as an indication that
large mass Of official correspondence is on file in
the War Office, and that Mr.. Brodrick is getting
ready to publish it by taking measures for or
dering court martial official Investigation in
cases where regulations are compromised.
Traffic IN Central London was blocked by an
accident at the busiest hour yesterday, and pas
sengers detained in darkness at deep levels
wished that they were safe in omnibuses. A
powerful electric current went astray and played
havoc with many circuits Of wires underground
Householders along the line, who are already
disturbed by the vibrations communicated by
the gravel beds over clay, and by reports that
the gas and water mains are damaged by the
present system Of transmitting currents, are
wellnigh convinced by this fresh experience
that civilization is a failure and electric trac-
ton played out. N e.