New-York tribune., 1900-09-30


London. Sept. 29.-The effects of the prolonged
strain of excitement over the war In South Af-
rica are revealed In the conduct OF the general
elections. There are evidences OF nervous ir-
ritability and hightiness of mind on all sides.
The leader of the Opposition has come danger
ously near giving Mr.. Chamberlain the lie direct.
and the Ministers themselves seem stale and not
in good form for an appeal TO the electors. The
UniOnist press is fdgeting over ways and means
OF rallying the Imperialists when in reality
there is no cause for alarm that score. I'm
perialists are raIlying, but not in a single po-
litical camp. They have raised their standard
at the Liberal we'll at the Unionist head
quarters, and have obtained control of both
parties. Meanwhile the Unionist press is clamor-
ing for a reconstruction of the Cabinet, a
definite programme of army reform. and even
the restoration Of public confidence in the effi-
cheney OF the fleet Lord Roberts has been nom
mated for Secretary Of War by one leading
Journal. and Lord Salisbury is warned by his
most loyal supporters in the press that the con-
try needs a positive assurance that the old Cab
met gang must be turned out. men put into
right places. and the military and naval services
organized not for peace. but for effective war
fare. These vagaries Of Judgment are signs
that the country has been upset by the pressure
OF excitement over South Africa and that sober
minded Englishmer. nervously overwrought.
LOrQ SaNSDuryS mentors however, may spare
themselves the trouble of insisting upon the re-
construction of the Cabinet. That reSult IS
inevitable. Lord Salisbury. like other old men.
dislikes to break away from associates OF long
standing, but he has few intimate friends in the
Cabinet and has high sense Of public ObIiga-
ton. The changes in the Cabinet are forced
upon him by public opinion and by the prefer
ences Of overworked Ministers for retirement.
Lord LansdOwne will be transferred to the
Foreign Office after the elections and Lord
Salisbury will coach him on China questions.
This is the result generally expected in diplo-
matte circles. The most difficult problem viii
be the selection of Lord Lansjcwne's successor
for the War Office. Military cliques are deeply
interested in keeping the control of the army in
their own hands, and there Is bitter opposition
to Mr.. Chamberlain This is a fine tribute to
his administrative energy and infexible will
The Liberals. without intending to do so.
strengthening the hands Of Mr.. Chamberlain by
the ferocity of their attacks upon him. His i'm
portance increases when he is singled out as
the evil genius Of the Unsonist party. and his
associates are passed over with cynical contempt
amiable mediocrities. and when the election
is his grir upon the Cabinet and strong
holds OF power viii be sti1ened.
Lord Salisbury needs to be in fit condition for
work. for the China question is battling the ener-
gies Of the trained diplomacy of Christendom.
The press here is utterly 5cwIdered. and leader
writer's are without knowledge Of what is really
going On at the Foreign Office. 1t is generally
believed that the situation will be cleared next
week by the presentation Of the British reply
to Germany's proposals and by the arrival OF
Count Won Waldersee in Peking. where he will
naturally expect clear and explicit instructions
from his sovereign. The fact that Lord Sails
bury's reply is held back is partly explained by
political exlgeEcies here, but it is probable that
he is unable to support the German EmperOr's
drastic proposal for the surrender Of the lead
ers Of the anti-foTeign movement, and is seek
ing to provide some substitute for 1t upon which
the Powers may agree The English press ex-
poets Count Won Waldersee to present black
list of nandarins and to formulate demands for
financial indemnities and safeguards for the
future. When the Empress Doweger persists in
resistance these English mentors admit that 1t
will be necessary for the Powers to seize the
Chinese fleet and employ immediate measures
of coercion.
There are some keen observers in and out OF
the English press who perceive the risks and
the futility Of a policy which viii strengthen
the Empress's hold upon the loyalty Of her sub
jects and enable Russia to befrlend her Russia
has already secured Manchuria, and naturally
is in position for obstructiag the designs OF
other Powers and protecting the Empress
against the consequences Of her own misdeeds.
The rumors that the British Foreign Office
has protested against the removal Of the
chives of the TransvaaI Government and the
deportation of gold by Dutch man Of war are
partially confirmed. No resistance is offered to
Mr.. Kruger's departure. but the British Gov
ernment is believed by authorities on Interna-
tional law to be within it's rights in demanding
a guarantee that no state property OF the Trans
vaal is included in the baggage OF Mr.. Kruger
and his followers. The British feet has made
no attempt since the outbreak OF the war to pre-
vent shipments of gold by the TrarsvaaI Cow
ernment from Delagoa Bay, and it seems doubt
ful whether a German liner would now be
stopped and bullion removed from it. The ship
ment of public records by the TransvaaI Gov
ernment may be prohibited but II ought 20 be
as easy for Mr.. Kruger's friends to conceal them
on neutral territory it has been to bury big
guns where they could not be found No refer
ence has been made in discussions here 70 the
Trent affair, yet IT has bearing upon the case
Mason and Slideu had money and State papers
with them when they were taken prisoners by
Captain Wilkes. The British Government In
sisted upon their immediate release and their
right TO sail under a neutral flag with their
State papers and treasure was triumphantiy
vindcated. The case will be even stronger 10 a
man of war be substituted for packet ship.
The Church Congress this year has been a dun
affair. High Churchmen have not been aggrss-
sive and Kensit has not been welcomed as a
champion by evangelical leaders. Social and
labor questions have been discussed with the
usual glttering platitudes. The Bishop OF New
Castle referred in his inaugural address to
autonomy the leading question for which a
solution was required in the English Church
and described as the chief factor in the prob