The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1901-01-29
GOSSIP AMONG
THE LONDONERS
American Rapid Transit Invest.
ments..Souih Africa and
Nicaragua Canal

NEW YoRk. Jan. lS-A dispatch 20
,he Tribune from London says Ihc
setails of the purchase OF the BAKER
street and Waterloo railway by a syn
sicate OF chicago and Cleveland capt.
taiists headed by eN-Congressman
Johnson are drawn mainly from out
siders who refused to buy the project
ed line and are not trustworthy. Iht
property has evidently been hawked
about and the transactions are not
closed The passage Of second metro
politan transit scheme under the CON
troll of American capitalists Is regard
ed with indifference by investors mere,
The transit problem is so complex ana
the cost OF construction of the various
deep level enterprises is so heavy that
the assistance of American engineers
and capitalists Is welcomed. While the
metropolitan and district railways nave
been driven by competition To subsu-
tute electric traction for steam, II is not
vet certain that the operation OIL elec-
trio railways at deep levels is prohtabie
or that radical changes in the system
of hauling trains may not be requisite
The traction system, both the Central
London and waterloo and City. may be
upon rolling stock and permanent way
is excessive and the expense of repairs
from wear and tear unusually heavy.
English investors are not yet convlnc-
ed that electric railways are good pay
ing properties and are willing to have
American capitalists take as large
share of the risks as they like.
Although English public opinion is
steadily yeering around toward the
view taken in America on the Near
aqua canal question, there Is no get
ting away from the fact that Senator
Morgan's proposals are not relished IN
this country. The Post admits the val
ne of the inter-oceanic canal FOR the
commerce of the United States ana
thinks that the matter might have been
arranged long ago. as foreign countries
would readily concede to America
predominant voice in the settlement OF
the question. This paper, however,
which caters especially for the aristo-
cratic classes finds fault with the
American system of dealing with inter-
national questions
Recruiting for the Yeomanry requlr-
ed for service in South Africa has start
ed off actively and five thousand men
will be easily obtained at 1--WE shlllnSs
per diem for any period. This force OF
GOOD riders and marksmen is precisely
what is needed for the fox hunting
now going on in the Dutch territories,
but complaint is made by military men
that a call for volunteers ought to have
been made a long time ago and it would
have been at least two months before
the Yeomanry is recruited, properly
horsed and ready to embark for the
Cane Foresight has not been char
acteristic trait of the present govern
ment in ordering the details of the cam
paign. Military critics cannot under
stand why the 10000 seasoned troops
now in India have not been ordered to
South Africa to take the places of war
worn and exhausted battalions. An
exchange of this kind could be easily
effected and would not be expensive.
The air is full of criticism that the
elections were ordered in good time.
A CABINET COUNCIL.
NEW YORK, Jan. 1S.-A dispatch to
the Journal and Advertiser from Lon
don says:
A special Cabinet council has been
called for Friday of this week to con-
slider the disastrous condition of affairs
in the South African war and also to
discuss the Nicaragua canal matter.
Mr.. Choate has notified Washington
that he expects decision and specula-
ton is rife as to what will occur 1t is
almost the unanimous opinion that
Great Britain is bound to give way to
the American demands, but not without
some diplomatic lodging in order to
conceal too apparent surrender. No
formai announcement is expected inn
mediately. Cabinet councils are held
in great secrecy and none but ministers
are present. All are sworn to secrecy.
hr,he ssador Choate is working with
the secrecy. Even Henry White,
first cretary of the embassy, is ex-
cluded from the ambassadors conf
dence in the smallest details,
Lansdowne is reported to be willing
to approve the amendments and sign
the treaty. Objections if any will
come from Chamberlain Ex-senator
Edmunds' article caused deep interest
in official circles. The New York cor
respondents of London papers are en-
deavoring to cultivate a belief that the
Senate's action was mere lingo trash,
unindorsed by any leading statesman
of majority of the people. Edmunds
has upset that fallacy. In fact the pat
ronizing air assumed by England to-
the Spanish war is rapidly changing
front. Rosebery's recent speech sound
ing warning that the United States
is absorbing British trade has cast
chill over commercial circles.