New-York tribune., 1901-04-04

hlnS general health is good. he mas not SUI
fered from the pressure of public business. and
his voice is strong and natural. Recent rumors
about a mysterious ament in his throat have
caused uneasiness in high circles on account Of
the fatal maady Of the Kings brother the Duke
of saxe-Coburg and Gotha.
The Kings special audiences are watched
eagerly by politicians in search of cues to public
affairs. A. J. Balfour has been followed by Mr..
Chamberlain to Windsor. and the two visits sup
port the current belief among the best informed
people in politics that Lord Salishury's retire
ment is impending and that the King is quietly
arranging conditions for the reorganization OF
the ministry. with the First Lord of the Treas
ury in the upper house and the Secretary for the
Colonies as leader in the House of Commons.
Bulletins from Arlington-st. are favorable and
Lord Salisbury's friends assert that the family
interest. strong in the Cabinet. will keep
him in office until the coronation. This is also
the view of the old Tories. who opposed to
any change, since Mr.. Chamberlain cannot fail
to profit by Lord Salisbury's withdrawal.
There be doubt that the Kings own
preference and judgment will determine the sue
cession of the leadership Of either house. The
ministers are lingering in town. but will soon be
scattered. The day for Lord Salisbury's depart
ure for the Riviera is not yet set. Mr.. Bafour
has made a series Of engagements at country
houses in England and in Scotland; the Duke
of Devonshire is going to Ireland. where he has
a large estate Waterford: Sir Michael
Hicks Beach will seek retirement at his Glouces-
tershire home. where the budget speech can re-
ceive it's final touches. and Mr.. Chamberlain will
probably spend a fortnight at Highbury.
British business men evidently believe that
there is some good in combination in spite OF
+Iair Oy ~ hA United
States It was yesterday officially announced
that the Thames Iron Works Shipbuilding and
Engineering Company Messrs. Siemens. Messrs
Mather and Platt and the Brush Electrical En-
gineerng Company are TO close their ranks and
70 combine their forces in order 10 make fight
for British industry. One immediate conse~
quence Of the formation Of this British trust is
that designs have already been prepared for
electrical equipment OF two underground rail
way lines os London and the construction Of
another
News comes from Brussels to the effect that
Mr.. KRUGER thinks that the occupation Of Zout-
pansberg will finally break down the Boer de-
fence Zoutpansberg is the Boer seat of gov
ernment and contains supplies of stores and
ammunition and It is understood to be in immi
nent danger result of Lord Kitchener's
northern campaign. Prisoners who have recently
arrived at Pretoria are stated. however, TO have
expressed opinions that the will last for
three years longer.
The newspapers enthusiastic the
launching to-day OF the White Star steamer
Celtic at Belfast. The Celtic is the largest
sci ever built. her gross tonnage exceeding
even that of the Great Eastern, and being 5000
tens IN excess Of that of the largest German
steamer, the Kaiser Wilhelm der Crosse.
English opinion would be less fabby on the
Chinese question If the end Of the South African
war could be forecast with any confidence. So
long as the Beers hold out Russian designs will
not be meddled with here. and Japan and the
Chinese Viceroys must pull their own chestnuts
out of the fire.
While the death of D'Oyly Carte has left the
whimsical Gilbert the sole survivor of the ia
nous Savoy trio 1t will not have a serious effect
upon the fortunes of the theatre devoted to
comic opera. He had been an invalid for a long
period, and his wife and others have been man
aging the theatre. I. n. F.
PT-pT TNGTON OFFER TNTpEACED