New-York tribune., 1901-02-23
LATEST LONDON COMMENT.
THE CABINET AND THE AMENDED
CANAL TREATY.
RICHARD CROKER's EXCLUsIvENEsS IN
HIS MOATED GRANGE-INJURY
To A REMBRANDT.
(Copyright: 1901: By The New York Tribune)
lRT CABLE To TIE TRIBUNEl

CCopyright: 1901: BY The New York Tribune)
lRT CABLE The TRrBUNE.l
London. Feb -. 1 a. m-The American En-
bassy Was closed Yesterday. and there was no
dinner Of the American Society Washington $
/ Birthday was not celebrated unless the British
Cabinet took advantage Of the occasion ana
passed sentence upon the amended canal
treaty. II is extremely probable that the ques-
ton considered and decided AT the Cabinet
neeting. and that the result will speedily he an
nounced- The rejection acceptance of the
amendments will not involve A diplomatic con
suItation. hut the term treaty will need to he
extended if there are amendments To- amend
ments and the way is left open for prolonga-
tion Of the negotiations. The next reception Of
the Foreign Office will he on Tuesday. when the
result Of the Cabinet action will he Communi-
Gated 10 the American Ambassador. if there he
no premature disclosure The whole subject IS
regarded with Indifference by the English press
This may be either a Cood or bad sign for the
settlement of an international controversy Of
long standing.
A curious explanation Of Richard Croker's re-
cent purchases Of land at Letcomhe reaches me
from a well informed source As the entrance
10 Moat House is virtually i'm she village. NJ
cannot come and 60 without passing several
cottages. and having everybody in the neishb'r-
hood know what ne Is about and with reporters
haunting the village and ready to swoop down
upon him there must be safeguards for privacy
and retirement The new purchase. with cir
cuitous drive ~ the Uorter's lodge, VIII screen
him from public observation Moat House Is
about five miles from Vantage Road station
and the old mill which will he replaced nv the
porter's lodge lies where field road turns INTO
the high road When the Improvement is mace
he can avoid both Vantage and letcomne
escape observation. and enjoy absolute retire
rnent from the world The new drive VIII follow
the course Of the brook from the mil, ana pe
truly rural Much additional land VIII Dc
placed al his disposal II ne desires I" enlarge
his estate There is good grassland adjacent to
his stables. which his neighhors are anxious 10
sell noat House was once a sho~ place. ana
there were many visitors within its historic
precincts The old order has changed The
Tanmanv chief in his mOated grange. ngura-
ti.-olv hauIs up the drawbridge. and every IN
terloper IS challenged by his retairsrs He is as
exclusive in his Way as the master Of 'liveden.
one of the best Rembrandts I'm the Naii"nal
Gallery has been injured by th@ accidental fall
of an easel which art student was using IN
copying the picture. II VAS overturned. and the
canvas WAS heavily struck 4 long indented
scratch was made across the face ~ one ~
Rembrandt's most characteristic old women.
The picture has been removed ." hospital f'T
repairs ana additional precautions viii he takeu
Tor protecting paintings from art students
Edwin Warleld. president of the Fidelity and
Deposit Company. Of Maryland has made ar
rangements for entering the English held ana
extending the guaranty business ~ the Ameri-
can company 10 all sections Of the United King
dom He Is opening a London office. and taking
preliminary steps for extending the business ~
his company TO ali cities IN England and Scot
land large deposit has already been made
with bankers. and the American company will
speedily be guaranteeing the honesty and eff
cheney ~ English officials. and providing bonds
for them. l. y r