New-York tribune., 1900-11-14
BRlTAIN'S HEAVY BILL.
COUNTING THE COST OF WAR A DE-
PRESSING PAsTIME
LORD LANsDowNE's FIRST RECEPTION

Icopyright 1900 BY The New-York Tr4bune.I
lBT CABLE THE TRIBrSE.l
London. Nov. IA. 8 a m.-Counting the cost of
q great war is not an exhiliarating pastime for
men or nations Financial experts agree that
the supplemental grants 20 be applied for next
month VIII UP the cost OF the South African
campaign TO $40 600 0O0 and that there are
strong probabilities If hostilities are prolonged
until spring that the aggregate will exceed
$3.50 100000, These figures convince politicians
that Mr.. Chamberlain knew what he was about
when he brought the elections in October on
& stale register.
Such calculations have depressing effect upon
the KafF1r market. All other markets in the city
have responded 10 the tremendous FLIP received
from the New-York Stock Exchange but mining
shares cannot rise when the gold companies are
warned by the press that they must ultimately
come to the relief OF the British taxpayers
Financial considerations also lie at the bot
tom Of the International proposals which are
ported from Pehing. No forecasts Of the amount
OF indemnity from China are trustworthy. Such
estimates have appeared in print are based
Wild conjectures in newspaper Offices rather
than bankers or diplomatists' sober calcula-
tions. The indemnity will certainly be large
enough 20 require international control Of the
customs and taxes.
The net outcome e the Chancellor OF the Ex-
there can be 10 remission q existing taxation
next spring. Il is generally assumed in the ci1y
that the funded debt Of the country viii ae
e6ded TO- and a : per cent loan Of S30.oooooo is
talked of. I viii. however be some consolation
70 the British taxpayer 10 know that Sir Michael
Hicks Beach : firm in his determination that
portion ar least # The cost Of the war VIII in
the long run te paid by the wealthy god mining
companies.
Lord Lansdowne's first diplomatic reception
took place yesterday al the Foreign Office. and
was largely attended. The new Foreign Secre-
tary is 2 Of elegant and courrIy manners.
well fitted for functions Of this kind. The Amer
lean Ambassador was absent. but Henry White.
who is intimate friend Of Lord Lansdowne,
took his place
NJ Choate delivered last night at Edinburgh
the most important address Of his career abroad.
Fa was OF dangerous ground. FOR while Mr..
Phelps had spoken most brilliantly before the
Philosophical Institution on thu Law Of the
Land" Mr.. Bayard from the same platform had
made The mistake Of discussing controversial
questions = American politics. Nr Ch0ate's
address, however. safe as Lowells
memorable essay on Democracy" His subject
~as Abraham Lincoln" a theme Of the great
eg- interest 10 Englishu7en. and one separated
~ lapse Of time since the abolition Of slavery
Chca1e has devoted much time 20 the prepara-
ton ot this essay, and il will certainly attract
much attention here Lord Rosebery. who is
entertaining him. introduced him on the plat
form
Lord Robertss indignant denial Of the state
-1ent that the British cavalry showed cowardice
al Sanna's Posi- and Lord Rosslyn's unquau
f-d apology for having published it give con-
siderable satisfaction Probably the last has
rcw been heard Of many IL natured accusa-
1t-ns made from time 10 time against the troops
IN South Africa
The overwhelming Liberal victory in New
foundland Is favorably commented upon in To-
days NEWSPAPERS on no previous occasion
have the elections in the Oldest colony Of the
British Empire attracted such notice in London.
London IS recovering rapidly from the depres-
sion 4 war time, and is again a brilliant cap
i,aL There are many military weddings; the
restaurants are filed nightly: the theatres are
doing the best business known for two years
and Hyde Park again presents a gay spectacle
q the display Of fashion The main social IN
ctdent yesterday was the crowded reception at
the New Gallery by the Societies Of Portrait
Painters and Miniature Painters There was a
beautiful collection of 165 miniatures mainly
painted by women Three galleries were filed
with portraits Whistler's Lady Of the Black
Eeart" and e mastery portrait by Richardson
occupied the places Of honor. John Lavery had
z beautiful portrait e young lady n white
perfectly posed, and other painters Of the Scotch
school were well represented. John Collier had
z good group Of portraits and Watts two pict-
u-es- The leading public character on the walls
vas Admiral Seymour, and Sir George White
was among the miniatures. L N F.
GOLD MINES MUST HELP THEM OUT.