The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1900-03-31

London, March 26.-ThTee questions In
volving endless controversy and specula-
tion have been rife during the past week.
They are the possibility Of the dissolution
Of parliament in the summer, imperial fed
Grafton and the reported method Of treat
ment Of the so-called rsbsl prisoners in
South Africa. 1t Is curious travesty
upon the truth that imperial federation
and the formation Of some great council
Of the empire have been brought more to
public notice by Sir wilfrid LAurisr, the
Canadian premier, in his speech at Of
tawa, than even by the presence in Lon
don Of the federation delegates from Aus
tralia.
Punch's chief cartoon ia devoted to de-
pieting Sir Wilfrid Laurisr in pleasing
contrast with Sir Wilfrid Lawson, the
English liberal, who insists that the war
il not justified. Yet those who know the
undereurrsnts thoroughly are well aware
that the Canadian premier's attitude and
unwillingness to send out Canadian
troops caused the colonial Office more anx-
iety than almost any recent occurrence.
However. the imperial federation move
ment grows daily. The imperial fedora
ton committee has secured from Lord Sal.
isbury promise to seriously consider its
proposals for an imperial council to watch
over the interests of the empire Us a whole
On all sides articles appear debating the
ways and means by which the colonies
who have participated in the defense of
the empire may have q voice in its cOun-
ellis. What difficulties stand in the way
OF this are apparent from the proceedings
of the Australian delegates daily visiting
the colonial office in the interests of their
federation bill.
All sorts Of unexpected bitches have
come up and it is feared the federation
may have to be submitted ad referendum
to tho Australian people in consequence
of the changes which, after the closer
inspection by the imperial authorities, ap-
pear necessary, although the bill has al
ready been passed in Australia and the
referendum would delay action for almost
a year.
1t is reported that the Duke Of York
meditates paying complimentary visits al
ter the war to all the great colonies.
So far as parliament is concerned it
might as well dissolve at once for all
the interest that is being taken in its pro-
eeedings. Many apparently inspired arti-
Giles appear foreeasting dissolution at var
ious dates, but a. . matter 70 fact the
existence of the present house depends en-
tirely upon the progress OF arms in South
Africa.
Queen Victoria is quoted az saying at
Windsor this week that she regretted her
age prevented her from doing much that
she would like to do, and that if abe was
only 20 yeaD younger she would visit
Australia.
A record fur sale occurred in London
this week, when q Partisan purchased in
open market a black Siberian fox skin,
IS oy inches, paying for it the SUM Of
5000. When dressed it will cost the
wearer about $500.
Hon. Ella Scarlet, NJ. D., daughter Of
an American, Lady Abinger formerly
Miss Helen Magrudsr, daughter Of the late
Commodore George Allan Magruder, L.
S NJ, is going out to Korea as medical
officer Of the imperial household The
young woman doctor is now fitting herself
for her curious post by taking a course
at the London school of tropical medicine
Her brother, Lord Abinger, has just gone
to South Africa Us a trooper in the impe.
rial yeOmanry.