New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-24

Roberts is making laborious progress. and there
is no evidence that he considers his campaign
at an end and the functions Of the army
duced TO police work. AS for China, everything
is without form and void. Picking might as well
be on the planet Mars far definite infor-
nation respecting what is going there is con-
cerned. How inscrutsble is the mystery Of
Picking may be Judged from a single fact which
comes within my knowledge. Sir Robert Hart,
Inspector General Of Customs. hasllived in China
for forty years, and has not been in England for
seventeen years. He is Familiarity known in
Picking as "Chinaman' Hart, and is universally
trusted and liked by the mandarins His wife
is now in London and has not received a single
dispatch from him during the last fortnight TO
assure her of his safety. He ought to have n
rivalled facilities for sending a courier to the
coast or making use OF the Chinese telegraph
service but Lady Hart does not know to-day
whether he is alive or dead.
There is some mystery respecting the fate Of
the legations and the relief column, and Tien-
Tsin. although only thirty miles from Taku, is
cut of from the world. There must be more
light in darkest Asia before the Government or
the English people can settle down TO political
canvass al home. Affairs abroad so con-
fused that politicians of ihorsey tastes are max
ing private wagers that the general elections
viii not come or before spring.
Lord Salisbury has beentdemonstrating his fit
ness for continuance IN public life by remarkable
exhibitions OF intellectual keenness and cynical
humor His speech at Exeter Hall on the dan
gerous and terrible snares in which missionaries
are entangled as political agents fairly took
away the breath of the, ioneers Of the Society
for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign
Paris. It was not the conventional, pious speech
which doctors Of divinity and the amiable mis-
he Or
wellians in the House OF Lords prepared for the
light touch Of pleasantly with which he dis
armed the bores who attempted to run atilt
against the statue in what he called a hole iu
the palace yard Lord Salisbury's high spirits
and genial pershage in the critical times for
China and South Africa are proof that he is not
disqualified for conducting the Government. He
may give up the Foreign Office to Mr.. Balfour.
but is not likely to resign the office OF Prime
Minister
The death Of Count Muravieff has removed the
ablest diplomatist who was pitted against Lord
Salisbury in any European capital. It is the
fashion in England 10 say that Muravieff was
an INSCRIPTIONS and bitter enemy; he was a
sincere and downright Russian, but not anti
English. If he had been the enemy Of England
he would have shown his hand during the last
eight months. when he could have done so
safely. Count Lamsdorff, who was Muravieff's
diplomacy during the interval caused by the
Cars search for Foreign Minister.
A most important meeting of the English
Church Union has been held under the presi-
dency Of Lord Halifax which serves to convince
THE Times" that the Ritualists if not laTless
are militant; or. to change the figure, that they
are trying TO sail the wind of Roman
doctrine possible without actually throwing
ATg mis- I'd he Of
Halifax, Mr.. George Russell and others seemed
TO imply a determination to ignore the authority
Of the ArchbishOps and the prayer book as the
standard Of worship doctrine and discipline and
TO bring on an irreconcilable conflict by which
the peace and unity Of the English Church will
be imperilled.
The Khedive's Illness has involved the can
collation. Of a long series Of royal and other en-
gagements made for him. Lord Loch's death
has reminded the public of the stirring story of
his Chinese captivity. when the order for his
execution was evaded by a quarter of an hour
and also of his remarkable career in various
quarters Of the Empire
The chief dramatic events OF the week have
been the revival Of THE Liars" at Wyndham's
Theatre, and the brilliant production Of THE
School for Scandal at the Haymarket. Mr..
Wyndharn is seen TO the best possible advantage
in Mr.. Jones's play his impersonation having
gained in technique and comic spirit Mr.. Cyril
Maude and Miss Emery not, perhaps, fully
equal 10 the requirements of the screen scene.
but their representations are ingenious and
brilliant. The opera at Covent Garden is main
tanned at a high level Of efficiency and excel
lence The performance of Die Walkure'' to-
night has called out an immense audience. Herr
Motif conducted the orchestra with splendid fire
and power and Frailein Ternina Herr Van
Rooy, Mile. Bauermeister and other artists X
cited great enthusiasm. M Henry Arthur
Jones and Mr.. J. K. Jerome made capital
speeches last night at the ladies' dinner of the
New Vagabonds' Club. I. y. F.