New-York tribune., 1901-03-24
NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS
LONDON.
FNGLAND'S PART IN THE COMPLICA-
TIONS IN CHINA.
HER FOREIGN POLICY IS ASSOCIATION
WITH GERMANY-THE GOVERNMENT
OVERWHELMINGLY CAPITAL.
WELCOMED. BUT AMERICAN
COMPETITION HATED.
COMPETITION HATED
tCopyTight: 1901: BY The New-York Tribune,
Try CABLE 10 The rRrnr-rrn

tconyTiFht; 1901: BY The New-York Tribune3
Try CABLE THE TRIBUsEl
London. March 23-The railway siding ep,-
sode has been dismissed as trumpery affair
over which the sensational journals lost their
heads. A solution will readily be found for
what the Russians consider a trespass case and
for what the English regard as minor terri
torial dispute. The indemnity question is moro
serious. since several powers are bent upon
pressing their own claims Individually and are
opposed 70 a rational method of assessing a
lump sum for all the powers or to scaling down
their demands a minimum which will be
within range Of the financial resources Of the
Chinese government. There are bankers in
every European capital who would like the Job
Of floating Chinese indemnity loan. guaran-
iced by the powers and secured by financial
control over the customs and taxes
More serious than the indemnity question is
the antagonism Of Japan TO Russia. If the ul-
terror designs OF Russia in Manchuria have
been concealed by the lo-Gerrnan agree
ment. it is no longer a secret that neither Eng
land nor Germany Will offer resistance to them
Japan has not been allowed TO enforce her de-
rnands upon the Corean government. and can
not depend upon the support of Germany and
England. Nothing he obtained by diplo-
macy. and unless Japan makes a vigorous eff
fort on her own account she will be compelled
10 witness Russian absorption Of Manchuria
after her own victorious troops have been forced
10 retire from Port Arthur and eiHai-wei.
II japanese patience has been exhausted. the
movement of a feet toward Corea may involve
a determined effort to obtain compensations.
even at the risk Of war with Russia. England
is not likely TO do anything prevent that
war. Her foreign policy now turns upon the
single pivot of close association with Ger
many in Europe and Asia.
If some Washington rumors can be credited,
this partnership with limited liabilities may
also be extended 10 America. There is how
ever. confirmation from any authoritative
here Of the report that Germany has
offered 10 cooperate with England in any at
tempt TO abrogate the Clayton Bulwer Treaty
The government here continues to show signs
Of irresolution and inoapacty. Mr. Balfour is
rot leading the Commons well. and there are
of discomfort among his followers
over his Incidence and lack of aggressiveness.
Last nights debate his ignorance in the
railway siding affair was particularly damag-
ing 10 him. ii exposed him TO merciless ridi-
cule Mr.. Chamberlain is constantly gaining
Importance the only member of an inver-
tebrate Cabinet who has a stiff backbone and
Is always ready for fight. His strength is
clearly shown in the revision Of Lord Kitchen
er's terms of peace. A weak minister would
have taken refuge under Lord Kitchenar's
reputation Of being cold heartless unsenti-
mental soldier and administrator and would
have allowed him full discretion and held him
responsible for the consequences Mr.. Cham
berlain took practical, businesslike view Of
the matter. and declined to become party TO
an unreal and unsatisfactory peace Mr.. Cham
berAain's fighting power is the more conspicuous
as Mr.. Balfour's inertia increases. and it be-
comes more necessary when the Liberals
more aggressive and harassing in their
fare. Mr. Massingham is doing good service
for them by writing bracing and caustic reports
OF the proceedings Of Parliament for THE
Daily News and there is a real revival OF
Liberalism in the country. even If Lord Rose
berry has gone the Riviera without dining in
public at the same table with Sir William Yer
non Harcourt.
Mr.. Chamberlain is so well able to look out
FOR himself in the Commons that his enemies
are hoping TO entrap him indirectly in the courts,
where his brother is suing newspaper for libel
Great men sometimes embarrassed by their
brothers: Mr. Cecil Rhodes at A critical stage in
South African history, had a brother in Jo-
hannesburg who was managing a reform move
ment anc corresponding with DR. Jameson.
Some South Africans believe that the Jameson
raid might have been avoided and the Boer
war averted if Cecil Rhodes had acted upon
Arthur has brought suit for clearing his charac-
ter against the charges made by partisan jour
nals. based upon the dealings Of various COM
panies which supplied the government with war
material Mr.. Arthur Chamberlain has proved
an excellent witness under a protracted cross
examination conducted with great skill by Mr..
lsascs a young barrister who is making a sud-
Den reputation this case. But the issue is un-
certain even IL he has Sir Edward Clarke. the
leader Of the English bar. to plead for him.
since the defence disclaims any attack upon
him, and urges that the system Of military sup
plies a legitimate matter for newspaper
comment and criticism. Sir Edward Clarke lost
seat in Parliament and probably the Lord
Chief Justiceship through his hostility to the
British policy in South Africa, yet he is con-
Quoting the case for Mr.. Arthur Chamberlain. IL
not for the entire Chamberlain family just as he
appeared for the defence when Dr. Jameson and
his fellow raiders were on trial
The Bank of England is securing as much gold
as possible in view Of the necessity for financing
government loan Of f5o,0O0.O00 at the end Of
next month. The Berlin government has not
helped matters by ordering German loan Of
tl3.oOo.g0o early in April, when full advantage
can be taken OF an easy money market. That
American bankers will take part in both these
loans is taken for granted by the Street with
comfortable optimism. and large shipments OF
gold from New York predicted with con-
hdence British faith in the inexhaustible fnan
cial resources Of America is unbounded. Ameri-
can capitalists expected to help in
hoating every foreign loan, and to work out the
nostlest experiments in electric transit in Lon
aon, after financing every practicable industrial
combination at home. Every investment OF
american capital in Europe is welcomed, but the