New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-11

eminent to assent to a. thereby deserving
french shareholders in the Panama scheme,
wouio involve loss of prestige equivalent to
that sustained by the abandonment of Fashoda.
Inc Soieil' goes SO far as TO say that the
Nicaragua plan is impossible of execution and
is spoken of by Americans only to dishearten
ana brighten French shareholders, in order later
on TO buy UP their shares for next to nothing
and eventually secure the Panama route at a
great bargain
Almost all the Paris papers reproduce the re-
ports cabled from Washington alleging the pos
slollty that France may call the attention of
the United States to the injury to French inan-
clal interests should Congress decide for Mica
rasua and demand compensation" Discussing
TINS statement yesterday evening at the Quai
d'Orsay with a parsonage whose views accu-
rately reflect those of the Minister of Foreign
Affairs. The Tribune correspondent was author
lied to state that there is absolutely no founda-
uon for such a report and the speaker added
with emphasis Whether Congress decides for
Nicaragua, Panama or any other route solely
concerns the United States. 1t is simply ridicu-
lous to imagine that French diplomacy would
intervene and claim compensation indemnity
In behalf Of the Panama shareholders in what
is purely private industrial venture. The Hay
Pauncefote convention secures for the United
States what she is justly entitled to, and ac-
cords to other maritime Powers a fair, open
waterway, the neutrality and local order OF
which are guaranteed by a powerful liberal
minded Nation like the United States; and this
is eminently satisfactory to France, as doubt
less it is to all other maritime countries"
Nine. Rejane Yvonne in Pierre VOLTS new
three act, comedy called lie Begun success
fully produced on Thursday at the Vaudeville
Theatre, has scored perhaps the most popular
and certainly the most meretricious triumph Of
her career. The artful finish and piquant sauci-
ness and gaminerie of Nine. RGjane's impersona-
ton of the reigning type of Partisan profess
sional beauty is the talk of Paris. All the city
will flock to her. and Sc. Also 1 regret to
say, Will nearly all the American visitors here
for LIE Begun" in spite of some brilliant pas
sages and character sketches which would do
credit to Labiche or Mehac, has for its lead
ing motive such carefully thought out depravity
that its action cannot here be even limited at
Pierre Wolff is the nephew of the late Albert
Wolff, who was for many years art critic of
Figaro" In lie Begun" he reveals dramatic
talent of a very high order, combined with re-
markedly true sense of theatrical values Such
is the opinion of Sardou of Alexandra Bison of
Ludovic Halevy. This makes it deplorable and
absolutely inexcusable that such young and
promising author should have moulded his char
acter in foul clay and shaped his action in a
subsoil of wanton perversity. The play consists,
of a superbly brilliant first act a clever second
act and lame and disappointing third act.
LIE Begun" is a common expression used in
Partisan Bohemianism, denotng fleeing but
passionate caprice, and is word which not even
Henri Lavedan. the Academic author of LIE
VieuX Marcheur," has yet dared to introduce to
the Academy. Yvonne may be described as a
strange blend Of a Frou Frou without Frou
Frou's sincerity; of a Dame Cameas with
out Marguerite's honesty, and Of a Zaza without
Zaza's unselfshness. In this complex part Nine
Rejane with her wondrous eyes, her vicious
almost vulgar smile, and with her lips pouted
for a kiss, but curved with irony convuIses her
audience and draws forth sometimes the good
but usually the bad elements in their nature
1t is stated that lie Begun" will be produced
in New-York next season.
The musical event Of the week was the pro-
duction at the Grand Opera of 'Lancelot" the
new lyrical drama of which such high expecta-
lions have been raised, composed by Victorien
Jonceres. the libretto by Louis GaIIet and
Edouard Blau.. To set TO music the legend of
Queen Guinevere King Arthur, Sir Lancelot of
the Lake, Elaine and the Knights of the Round
Table was an ambitious and exactng task. 1t
is impossible to avoid the conclusion that
neither the music nor the drama produces upon
the audience poetic Impressions at all worthy
of the Arthurian legend. The music is common
place; it lacks dramatic expression and is often
devoid of originality. For instance the motive
of the first act is nothing else than combina-
ton of two OF Wagner's themes, the motive I'M
DERIVING Walther's first song 10 the master
singer, and the love motive in die Walktre"
The third act i" almost entirely devoted to an
old fashioned ballet in which the premiere
danseuse, in muslin and spangles, impersonates
the Lady of the Lake. The music Of the ballet
is graceful but not original The prelude to the
last act reproduces the combination of the two
Wagnerian motives already mentioned The
cast is excellent, Mile. Delna being highly dra-
matte as Guinevere and NJ. Veguet spirited as
Lancelot The new work is magnifcently staged
and the orchestra is beyond praise.
Among the passengers who sailed on the ST
Louis are Mrs. w. ]. Richie and her family
Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Williams. Mr. and Mrs
Philip A. Small, DR.. and Mrs. Macfarlane Mrs
II. Scott Mrs. Cabel Wood jr. Miss Wood, Sir
Charles Roe, Count L. de Minerbe Colonel Win
field Scott Proseky, Mr. and Mrs w CerkeI
and family, D. Mccarthy F. B. Willard Mrs
James Creelman Edward Hobrook and c.
Hewett On La Tourane sailed Viscount and
Viscountess De Castellane. The following left
Paris to sal! the Campania Mrs M p Dodd
T. M Perry. w. z. Garrett, H. o. Watson and
w ]. Kennedy CIR
TARIFF NEGOTIATIONS BROKEN OFF.