New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-18
NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS
LONDON.
RoBERTs's SUCCESS TAKES THE EDGE
OFF OPPOSITION CRITICISM
,OsEBERYs ATTACK INEFFECTIvE-RELA-
TIvELY SMALL ESTATE OF THE
DUKE OF WESTMINSTER
ICopyright: 1900: BY The New-Tor< Trisune-I
IBY CABLE rHE TRIRrNE-

DUKE OF WESTMINSTER
GCopyriEht: 1900: BY ne Ne~-York TriSuns-I
IBT CABLE TO THE TRIBUNz-I
London. Feb. 1I-Engiishmen holding
themselves under self-restraint lest some unex-
pected ambuscade may be opened by Crouje ard
Roberts and Kitchener be proved 10 have over
looked some important point They are on their
guard against claiming a complete victory until
the Dutch army has been beaten rather than
scattered. While they are tongue tied through
caution, their faces light up with glow OF en-
thusiasm whenever the names OF Roberts.
Kitchener and French are mentioned. Parifa-
ment reflects this sober Judgment and elasticity
OF spirits The UniOnist benches are critical
and are bringing pressure to bear upon the Gov
ernment TO enlarge its programme Of national
defence; yet the effect Of Lord Rosebery's speech
has been broken by Lord ROberts's demOnstra-
ton that leader OF right instincts was needed
in South Africa. rather than another reinforce
ment OF 100000 men Even his friend. Mr. Al
fred HarmswOrth. perceives the fUti.ity OF at
tempting 70 overthrow the Government in order
to open the way for a Rosebery-Chamberlain
Ministry of imperial affairs.
Strong arguments offered IN favor ot
strengthening the feet and the Hotspurs on the
Cntonist side Will not be satisfied until several
flying squadrons are modified The Admiralty
has ordered all ships in the fleet reserve 20 make
good the depletion caused by the daily drawings
on the coal bunkers. and this is hastily assumed
TO be the signal for mobilization on a large
scale Lord Salisbury knows the precise mo-
ment when measure Of that kind viii be efrec-
tive, but that moment has not yet come unless
all signs fail The Russian advance toward Per
sia- which is forecast by the panic mongers as
inevitable. VIII not be averted by the nobiIiza-
ton OF the naval reserves; il may even be
hastened by premature display OF cavaI
strength which can have no deterrent eject upon
Russian int-igues at Herat- The mobilization
OF the flying squadron is a resource which Lord
Salisbury IS holding back for the contingency
Of European intervention in South Africa. which
is not likely 20 occur. unless Lord Roberts's
army is paralyzed by defeat
The German Emperor is keepinE the ueace ~
the Continent by preventing any movement tn
the direction OF Intervention Difficult as II Is
for him 70 control the jealousies OF the mercan-
tile classes in Germany. and anxious as he Is to
carry out his great naval policy. he is loyal in
his friendship for England. and apparently stiu
believes that the future OF the world belongs TO
the three nations which amicabIy settled their
trivial dispute over Samoa not long ago
English journals have paid little attention "a
Mr. Macrun's vagaries respecting a secrer alIf-
ance between Great Britain and America Thy
are beginning 10 find cut that Americans have
virtually brought the war IN the Philippines to
an end and are preparing TO police the islands
under kind OF municipal governments
They cannot understand the motives OF the re-
sistance which has been offered TO the new
canal treaty. Shrewd dipIomatsts here ara in
clined to ask whether the Senators who insist
upon the right OF fortifying the ends OF the
canal have learned nothing from English blum
ders in the present war in South Africa: they
assert that the United States. II that privilege
were obtained, would have IN any future war
two Ladysulith entanglements one at each end
OF the canal AS the British embarrassments
have been due 10 ignorant choice OF an fnde-
fensible position in a corner Of South Africa so
Americans. II those Senators could have their
way. would enter upon any war in the future
with two indefensible positions 10 be zarrisoned
in Nicaragua and a campaign TO be fought in
a remote corner OF Central America The Amer
lean reputation for good sense ought TO be a
safeguard against such folly.
English opinion respecting the canal treaty
is apathetic- The concessions for which Aneri-
cans have asked have been granted by England
in a spirit OF accommodation and good feeling:
IL Americans do not value them. now that the
treaty has been revised at the request OF the
State Department. ii is not a matter which con-
Germs England fact which naval officers here
frankly concede is that few millions expended
in the purchase Of available naval stations Ike
St Thomas and Coral Bay viii be a much bet-
ter National investment than many millions
flung away in the defence OF fndefensibls canal
entrances and a much stronger safeguard
against European meddIing with the Monroe
Doctrine.
The week in Parliament has been dull and
stagnant, in spite Of Lord ROsebery's sharp at
tack upon the Government Mr Balfour hardly
needs TO exert himself 70 parry the Liberal lead
er's feeble strokes. and certainly he is not IN
good fighting form Mr. Chamberlain has no
body worthy Of his steel and Is a grim and silent
figure except during the question hour The
emphasis with which he answered the question
relating TO the protection OF the black races in
South Africa has involved a premature concIu-
sion that the campaign will end in an outbreak
Of savage warfare. but Darkest Africa viii prob
ably escape this blackest OF terrors.
One good effect OF Lord Roberts's campaign
with the new feeling OF hopefulness inspired by
IT. IS the cessation OF faultanding respecting the
lack Of foresight al the opening OF the war
The lntrigues against the Ministry have been
abandoned; ,arping criticism of the generals IN
the field Is an end; the advocates OF peace
with dlshonor cannot find better material than
gossip about Sir William Buffers unheeded
warnings
one OF the newest variants or this hacxneysd
theme is the statement thar General Butler
warned the High Commissioner OF the necessity
OF having from +OO0O 70 $1,000 troops on the
ground in the event OF war and that Sir Alfred
Milner replied
You say that because you side with your
friends the Dutch"
Miners friends smile when language so un-
like the man is attributed 10 him and they con-
slider It sufficient answer 70 remind his critics