New-York tribune., 1901-07-07

Copyright; 1901: By The New-York Tribune, +,
lBT THE rRIBUxE.I
London. July 6-The old whist players rule
"hen In doubt play trumps-appIies to the great
game OF politics; but few English statesmen
know instinctively what is the trump card Mr.
Chamberlain does for he is constantly bringing
In the supreme issue OF heartier cooperation
and closer alliance between the mother country
and the groups of self governing colonies
throughout the empire He is responsible for
the proposed change of title for the sovereign.
so as TO include every section of the worldwide
empire. and he is comforting cautiously with
the Canadian Ministers ir London, and
seeking to induce them To take the initiative in
suggesting a plan by which the colonies can
have representation in an imperial council OF
some kind. Possibly he holds himself too per-
sistently in the background, and says too much
ahout the risks of premature action. The Colo
mes cannot be dragged into imperial cOun-
Gil and the initiative must come from them and
inevitably from Canada; but constructive states
manship is needed at the centre. and Mr.. Cham
berlain. while great debater and administra-
tor has not yet made it clear that he has genius
| of the creative order. The Canadian Ministers
are not yet convinced that the time has come
| for making arrangements for a closer union
with the mother State. They have taken the
| cue from Mr.. Chamberlain. and repeat the
warning that nothing must be done pren1a-
| tCrely and that Canada is satisfied with her
| present relations TO the imperial government.
| rs imperial federation impossible prob
| lem. like squaring the circle?' was the ques-
ton which put yesterday to one of the Cana
dian Ministers who had been contending that
we'll enough should be let alone.
| No he answered promptly. 1T is not an
| impossible problem; it is one that be worked
out deliberately in the course of time but not
prematureIy"
| The Canadian Ministers impressed with
the fact that Sir Wilfrid Laurier on two oc-
casions has taken the initiative in proposing
practical measures in the direction of imperial
| federation on both the legislative and the bus-
ness side. and that his suggestion has been
met in a halfhearted way. Apart from Mr.
| Chamberlain. no member OF the ministry seems
| to know what card to play. Sir Michael Hicks
| Beach has financed the war without references
to the business and industrial interests of the
colonies. and Mr.. Brodrick has lost sight Of
| Canada. Australia and New-Zealand in attempt
ing to reorganize the army in skeleton scheme
| of six corps on paper. without flesh and blood
recruits in barracks. Lord Selborne has been
equally negligent in proposing a method for
! strengthening the fleet without regard for the
practical requirements of imperial defence. His
eyes fixed upon the Mediterranean.
| though there were not empire outside Of
| Europe and in ships he is copying the
| japanese Nlkaha. now IN process or building at
| Barrow and introducing some American mOdih-
! cations. Three battleships OF entirely
type will be named the King Edward the Do
minIon and the Commonwealth, which is
timely compliment TO the colonies; but it is not
clear from the seneralizations of Lord Selborne
and Mr. Arnold Forster. whether the fleet
whole will De adequately equipped for the de-
fence of the empire and the navy kept UP to its
full strength. The type and armament of these
but there is general approval among experts OK
the plans for the construction Of ten new docks
There has been no sign in the recent proceed
ings of Parliament that any new man is COM
ing TO the front as the representative OF the
| Greater Britain which sovereignty will be
declared by royal title Lord Cranborne is re-
ported TO be greatly interested in the problem OF
imperial federation and 10 be constantly harp
ing upon it: but he has not yet convinced the
House of Commons that he has marked talent
for public affairs The Liberals have been
saved from disruption by the timely services OF
Lady CampbelI-B Bannerman. who at a critical
moment invited all her husbands supporters
to an evening party. The Liberal imperialists
and the Radicals astonished to fnd
that everybody on the Opposition side was on
speaking terms with everybody else that they
became genial and peaceabIe- Other Liberal
hostesses will continue 70 work for social amelio-
ration during the next ten days 1t is a large
field for social missionary work Lady Tweed
mouth will have a reception for the Liberal
peers and Commoners next week. and Lady
C,rewe Lady Burghclere. Lady Grey and Lady
! Munro Ferguson a-e planning similar peace
making functions West Enders rubbing
their eyes and wondering whether there will be
n revival sof the Odtime Whig salon, once as
sociated with the hOspitalties of Holland House
The intervention Of women has been most use
ful Sir Henry Campbell Zimmerman will re-
ceive a vote Of confidence from the Liberal con-
ference. and may possibly accept an invitation
M the Asauith dinner Lord ROsebery remains
out of sight and holds Mr. Asquith back; con-
saouentlv there will he no direct challenge OF
Sir Henry Campbell -B1nnermon's authority
and a temporary truce will be patched up. II
is not likely TO be a permanent peace. how
ever: Mr. Asquith and the Liberal imperialists
are too far removed from the Radicals and the
pro- Beers TO remain idle spectators when the
good name of the party is compromised by a
lack of patriotism and self-restraint. Glad
stones greatest sacrifices were made for Ire
! land and the Transvaal. and the progressive
Marty which he led is to-day faction rent like
tho Nationalists after Parnelrs downfall. and
: is following the tactics of guerilla warfare like
, the scattered bands of Beers in the veldt-
A busv week has been brought to end with
q fav, interesting functions. There was a brill
, liant gathering at the meet Of the Coaching
: Cub in spite of the sultry weather The Duke
of ARGYLL and Lord Roberts were joint figure
heads at the demonstration in Albert Hall in
the interest of Dr. Barnardos Homes. and tn.
CRYSTAL Palace was thrOnged for a military
ana naval concert under royal patronage. Cap
tain Scott and the officers OF the National Ant