New-York tribune., 1901-04-03
SALISBURY SOON TO GO.
ENGLISH PRENIIER'S LABORS NEARLY
ENDED
PARLIAMENT CLOSED-LUIL IN MANCHU-
RIAN QUESTION-INTRICATE RAIL-
ROAD LEGISLATION.


Copyright; 1901: The New-York Tribune)
IBY TRIBUSE-I
London April 8, I a.. m.-Parliament has risen
for the Easter recess after a session more satis-
factory to the Opposition than to the govern
ment The record Of business is meagre. but that
is small matter in comparison with the lack Of
energy and Judgment with which the House OF
Commons has been led The government has
lacked the force of a single strong WILL and
there have been grave indiscretions in both
houses.
The continuance of Lord Salisbury in power
for many weeks is doubted by some Of the most
experienced Parliamentary hands. There are ru-
n1ors that he has sought to offer his resignation
before his departure for Beaulieu, and that A.
j. Balfour will be found in the upper house
when Parliament reassembles- Another version
is that nothing will be done for fortnight. and
that Lord Salisbury may consent TO remain IN
office until the close of the session if his health
improves on the Riviera.
There was no lack of gossip In the smoking
room of the House of Commons during the clos
ing hours yesterday. but the only points on
which there was a general agreement were that
the government had been on a downward grade
since the Kings speech was read. and that
stronger leader than Mr.. Balfour needed IN
the Commons.
Dispatches published here indicate-that the re-
lations of Japan and Russia are in more or
less critical condition
The news that General Plumer has occupied
MUSHROOM is taken to mean that the British
Army in South Africa has at last resumed the
northern advance toward Petersburg Nyl-
stroom is situated little way off the railway
about ninety miles north of Pretoria Ii was
held for a few days by General Baden-Powen In
August last year, but had TO be evacuated be-
cause the force then at Lord Roberts's disposal
was insufficient at once to provide a permanent
garrison and to secure the railway line north
ward from Pretoria. There can be little doubt
that Lord Kitchener's latest report indicates the
execution of comprehensive plan for the con-
quest and pacifcatiOn of the northern TransvaaI
With the occupation Of Petersburg main
trunk lines OF railway would be lost to the Beers
but there is a heavy task in the protection of
another line of communication 240 miles long
that would be added to the burdens Of the Brit
ish Army.
There is general apprehension that Parliament
will be so closely occupied with financial lesis-
lation when 1t reassembles that there will be
no action upon the numerous underground cleo
tric railway schemes now pending. 4 commit
tee Of the two houses will consider all the prof.
and conflicting nature of the fresh proposals for
legislation. Work is going without Interrupt
tion the Waterloo and Baker-st. line. The
river bed has been tunnelled. and a large part
OF the work has been completed. This line. If
present plans carried cut. will be similar to
the Central London one. but the railway bed
will be superior and there will be complaints
about vibrations in the future. This line is still
uncertain. but American capital will probably
be required for finishing II when the London and
Globe affairs are settled
The American syndicate in control OF the
Hampstead line IS preparing for work a large
scale. but other electric schemes making
slow progress. and scores Of new projects are
blocked by Parliament. All engineers deplore
the lack of a general plan for working out the
transit problem and the dependence upon costly
methods Of financing ever undertaking.
Samuel RawsOn Gardiner has had stroke OF
paralysis at the moment when fresh volume
of his History of the Commonwealth and Pro-
tectorate'' Is under review by the -ess. This
Oxford scholar has always been conspicuous for
the thOroushness OF his methods of investigation
and his impartiality in dealing with contro-
versial questions. His serious illness came on
while he at his home. at Seven Oaks.