New-York tribune., 1901-05-04
NO CHANGE IN DUTIES.
BRITISH MINISTRY WILLING TO MEET
ATTACKS.
QUESTION OF DISCRIMINATING SUGAR
TAX-THE LEYLAND LINE SALE.
Copyright; 1901: BY The New-York Tribune,
lBV CATTLE TO THE TR1BUNE.l

IAA-IHE LEYLAND LINE SALE.
Copyright; 1901: BY The New-Yorik Tribune,
GBV CATTLE THE TR1BUNEl
LONDON. May 4, l q. m.-Friday being devoted
n the Supply bill, the coal debate cannot be
resumed until Monday, but the government has
heen greatly strengthened by evidence that Sir
Michael Hicks-Beach is in fine fighting form
and able 10 meet the Opposition without helm
from Mr. Chamberlain or his other colleagues
Old Tories are quietly congratulating them
selves upon their deliverance from a menace
Of Mr. Chamberlain's ascendency over the Cabi-
net They consider the Budget entirely safe and
Sir Michael Hicks-Beach as a fixture in the
Cabinet and a safeguard against the leader
ship Of Mr.. Chamberlain. The coal duty will be
sanctioned, and the sugar schedule is equally
safe
Conservative members who have threatened to
raise the debate over the neglect Of the gov
ernment TO discriminate in favor Of the colonies
against bounty fed sugars are receiving assur-
ances from the Ministers that the diplomatic
negotiations are in satisfactory state for
curing the abrogation Of foreign bounties. This
has aeen so long empty cuckoo song that
some Of them are incredulous but there is
strong ground for the belief that Lord Lans-
downe has been IN active correspondence with
the Continental Foreign offices on the subject
and that favorable results are confidently ex-
pected Russia and France have interposed OBJ
jections and the date has not yet been settled
upon for the reassembling Of the Brussels Con-
ference.
One Of the strongest advocates Of discrim-
mating sugar duties in the interest Of the colo
MES predicts that the conference will be
held during the summer and that the bounties
viii be discontinued. This, he asserts, will rem
der discriminating duties unnecessary for the
protection OF the British West Indies.
The King appeared in excellent health and in
strong voice at the court ceremonials yesterday.
Roman Catholics. Presbyterians and Jews pre-
scented addresses with the Guards band play
ing and the Yeomen Of the Guard in full regalia.
and il a deputation Of coroners followed them
in due course it was not safeguard against
possible outbreak OF religious animosities.
Royalty was privileged TO visit the Royal
Academy in the afternoon for strictly private
view OF the galleries, containing statues and
paintings of Queen Victoria and pictures of the
funeral pageant and Of the proclamation Of the
Kings accession.
Ladies' night at the whitefriars Club being
popular institution among the literary class.
there was a large assemblage at the annual
dinner at the Hotel Cecil. Winston Churchill
was chairman. and Mrs. George CORVALLIS
West aided him in the reception Of the Lord
Mayor and many guests. The speaking was un-
usually lively. as Ian MacLaren proposed with
p fine play OF wit the toast Of The Sovereign
Woman" and Marie CorelH responded with
casms and compliments.
The latest story about J. Pierpont Morgan's
plans is that the waterways Of Europe to
be made his instruments in international
steel war. His agents are reported TO have been
busy for the last twelve months buying canals
in France Germany Belgium and Holland.
The manager Of the Dominion Line in Liver
pool denies the statement that the vessels of that
company have been sold TO Mr.. Morgan.
The first official returns Of the 1901 census
bear out the preliminary unofficial figures. The
great manufacturing towns have in almost all
cases increased by leaps and bounds. The fig
ures in regard 10 London instructive. In
1881 London contained 3.S15,544 persons: in
1891 4.211, 743. and in 1896. 4,411,71O, and. ac-
cording 10 the present census. 4.536034. Thus
there has been a progressive dIninution in the
rate Of increase within the boundaries OF the
inner London. 1t seems to be roughly true that
the population of London is dying out in its
centre and growing in its extremities.
Mr. ElIerman presided yesterday at the or
dinary meeting OF the Leyland company. Many
people expected he would take the opportunity
Of referring 10 the Morgan deal, but in his first
Few sentences he dissipated that expectation,
reserving his comments until the extraordinary
meeting on Tuesday next. He rather pes
simistic in regard to the future of the British
shipping trade, and if the shareholders adopt
his views they are not likely to quarrel with
the proposals to be placed before them next
week He considered that the last year had
been one of anxiety as various efforts had been
made TO secure to American owners large sub
sidy. and the effect Of such subsidy had =
bfll been passed by Congress, would have been
detrimental TO the shareholders interests, If it
had not made IL next TO impossible for them to
compete with American owned steamers.
I. ". F.