New-York tribune., 1900-05-13
NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS.
LONDON.
LEADERS FEEL THE STRAIN OF PUB
Lie ANXIETY
COLONIAL OFFICE WORRIED OVER FATE
OF COOMAssIE-SALE OF THE PEEL
LOOMS-AUSTRALIAN
FEDERATION.
[Copyrisht; 1890: BY The New-Yors Tribune.I
IBY CABLE TO THE rRIBUNEl

Lord Salisbury. shows the wearing strain Of
public anxieties and responsibilities. While he
did not in his Birmingham speech take the grace
out of the Queens tactful visit to Ireland by
reviving the memories of the Home Rule
test invite the political organization to help
in strengthening the defences of the Empire by
encouraging rifle practice a safeguard against
unknown Derils. he condemned with fine irony
the formation of the Liberal Imperialist party
under Lord Rosehery. and revealed evidence OF
staleness in discussing the conditions OF fnal
settlement in South Africa
The Blue Book. published last night proves that
negotiations over the Australian Commonwealth
bill have not resulted in the settlement Of that
i'll timed controversy and that the Government
has decided TO propose amendment to Clause
"A, relating TO the appeals to the Judicial Com
mittee of the Privy Council The Australian
delegates have been entertained largely, but they
persist in adhering literally TO their Instructions
and irritated by the attempts OF the Ministers
and the English press TO create the impression
that the five Australian Premiers more lib
eral and less uncOmDrOmising than themselves.
One delegate Mr. Dickson. has shown signs Of
weakening on this question. but the remaining
four under the leadership of Mr. Barton.
most capable and eloquent statesman. continue
to argue the case with lucidity and infiexibe de-
termination. This controversy is keenly regret
ted by all Imperialsts. and Mr. Chamberlain
will have an ungracious if necessary. act 70
perform in justfying next week the amendment
to the Commonwealth bill.
The business of Parliament meanwhile is stag
nant. Mr.. George wyndham is condemned to
Whip thistles every day by inquisitive members.
who persist in asking incOnvenient questions
about General MethueI. General Kitchener and
the Irish battalions and this is the chief incident
of each session. The debates not well at
tended and legislative proceedings have ceased
to interest the public
The cause of Irish reunion has been promoted
by Lord Salisbury's Primrose speech. and Mr..
John Redmond is displaying cOnciliatory tenn
per toward his rivals. He has already spoken
from the same platform with Mr.. Healy and Mr..
Blake and tomorrow he will appear with Mr..
Dillon in Free Trade Hail. in Manchester. and
offer fresh proof that the Irish factions have
reached practical working understanding re-
specting the Nationalist policies. Both leaders
are likely to answer Lord Salisbury's speech,
and rival each other in invective.
Legal changes have greatly interested the
public during the week. Sir Richard Webster.
who. as Master of the Rolls. is certain to make
a good president of the Court of Appeal is one
of the most popular men in the UniOnist party,
and his withdrawal from Parliament leaves
vacancy not easily filled. Both Sir Robert F1n-
lay and the Hon. Edward H Carson nave
earned their promotion as chief law officers OF
the Crown, but are of less tact and hexi-
bility Sir Edward Clark. meanwhile. IS outside
Parliament, and may be forced 10 be content
with the undisputed leadership of the Ensnsn
bar.
Ruuors of the fall of CoOmassie are uncon-
frmed but the Colonial Office is beginning to
take a serious view of the situation. especially
as the native rising has been organized with
rvrfca 1Qps,
among the Ashantees will have TO be repeated
unless all signs fail and with the big war still
dragging on the Colonial Office does not want
another campaign. even if it be a small one
Imperial interests have taken the place of
all foreign questions. and dispatches in the Lon
don Journals from European capitals have not
been so meagre for many years. Imperialism
is the thing which interests every reader; even
the smallest details discussed. such as the
establishment of a branch of the Royal MINT IN
Canada request is expected from Ottawa
that Canada shall be placed on terms OF equality
in this respect with India Australia and South
Africa and it will be granted at once. The
vexatious question raised by the Australian fed
Grafton renders the Colonial Office eager TO grant
favors to Canada and other colonies Mr.. Cham
berlain has already assured the loyal colonists
in Natal that their losses in the war will be
made good and as the northern half of the
colony has been in the possession of the Beers
the assessment for damages will be large one.
and there will be much heavier bill OF costs
from Cape Colony and the Bechuanaland pro-
tectorate. The South Africans on the Mining
Exchange smile grimly when these matters are
discussed They know that the Boer burshers
have no resources for settling these immense
claims for conpensation and that the mine
owners on the Rand will be called upon to pay
the piper
Mr. lanes Bryce complains that New
York newspaper has converted the speech de-
uvered by him into interview or special COM
ruunication on the subject OF the South African
settlement He asks to state that since the
outbreak of hostilites he has never expressed
anv opinion whatsoever about the war 10 any
American newspaper. He considers IT hard
usage that an English politician should be rep
resented as volunteering opinions in abe press OF
a foreign country which he has always refused
10 give even when pressed to do by those
having claims upon his personal knowledge and
regard.
Jenkins has been reveIling in charity
shows during the week and favOrins the public
with the information that all the women pres
ent looked very smart and he is rejoicing
over the prospect of two big dinner parties
and two dances next week The West End II
nveler than il was. but the season can hardly
be said to have opened. although there was the
Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace yester-
day followed by scores of fashionable teas and
receptions for the display of gowns The royal
circle at the Drawing Room was the largest
witnessed in a long time. and there full
attendance of the Diplomatic Corps The Queen
wore hardly any jewels. but there was no lack