New-York tribune., 1901-03-17
NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS.
LONDON.
N-cH HARSH CRITICISM OF THE
GOVERNMENT.
TIE NAVY CHARGED WITH WASTING
woNEY-THE ARMY sQUABBLEs-PoPU-
,rARTTY OF THE KING INCREASING
vR MoRLEY's LIFE OF GLADSTONE
,-on,riCh.: 1901: BY The New-Tork Trihune1
IRY CABLE To THT TRIBUNEl


,-on,rch.: 1901 BY The New-Vork Trbune1
IRY CABLE To THF TRIBUNE.l
rondon March 16-The ministers have cause
,or gratitude 10 the political managers who
,rought on the elections last autumn. They
securely intrenched in the strongholds of power,
and need not dread the storm Of criticism to
vbch they are exposed with every shifting
,5nd They are not in touch with public opin-
,or on many great questions. but with their inn
,nense majority in the Commons they are safe:
One disclosure of divided councils and ire
s,onsibility follows another. and the Unionist
Marty lacks the direction of a supreme will.
lord Salisbury is tired out and Mr. Balfour is
Inert II the Liberals were united under a
strong leadership they could harass the gov
eminent with destructive criticism; even when
rent into factions they succeed in carrying
n formidable guerilla warfare. The Unionist
coslition has always stood for imperial defence.
but n is on this ground that it is row vulner-
able The nation. after paying taxes in
time OF peace, now finds that its investments
IN sea power and military ornaments have been
made recklesslv. and that much money has been
wasted Mr.. William Allen, an old blockade
runner during the American Civil War. who
has been ridiculed for making "A determined
fight in the Commons against water tube boilers
IN the navy. has fun support in the ad
interim report Of the boiler committee, and engi-
neers and shipoWners are eXulting with him.
II their differences are correct enormous
amount Of money has been wasted on the navy.
hut il is clearly premature to condemn all water
tube boilers until the admiralty completes the
trials ana experiments with cylindrical boilers.
Mr. Brodrick's reorganization scheme has been
roughly handled by Sir Henry Campbell-Ban
herman. Sir William Vernon Harcourt and Sir
Charles Dixie in the House of Commons, and
there is a growing feeling of irritation over
what is clearly paper scheme Of defence with
every aspect Of artificiality. While the trend of
that scheme toward compulsory service is un-
mistakable. there is a practical argument
agains: IT on many Ips-namely. that one man
under canvas is worth ten in the estimates.
In the upper house. moreover. there has been a
complete exposure of the divided councils at
military headquarters at the outbreak of the
Boer war. while I'm the Commons there is cumu-
lative proof Of the existence of cabals and fac
tions in the army. The ministers daily
losing ground as these melancholy exhibitions of
Responsibility continue.
Mr Ssmbourne hits off the political situation
well in Punch" by portraying John Bull in the
act Of sfrapDtng a knapsacl labelled "Flesponsi-
hlity" upon the back of Mr. Brodrick and
warning him against trying to shift it to the
shoulders Of anybody else
The CoIvile case. which is constantly bobbing
NJ al question hour reflects the spirit of
intrigue and jealousy rampant in the
British army. Last night the fact was
clearly brought to light that General Colvile
vas sent to Gibraltar by Lord Wolseey after
Lord Roberts's report of his misconduct on two
occasions was on file at headquarters. on Mon
will 1ae tn hal
General Coyie did not receive the orders from
lord Roberts before the Lindley affair because
some staff officer blundered in misdrecting them
and delivering them 10 the wrong commander.
While the partisans OF Lord Woseley and Lord
Roberts skirmishing and sniping with deadly
effect. the second round of the Lansdowne-
Wolseley duel has been fought in the presence
of two long rows OF peeresses in deep mourning
and diamonds. The disclosure Of animosty be
tween these two chiefs who were responsible for
fhe defence Of the empire. is deplored by all
judicious observers public scandal. If Lord
Lansdowne had decided advantage in the sec
ond exchange of shots. Lord ROsebery. Lord
Wolseley's second, covered his retirement with
fine flourish Of trumpets. Empires are not gov
erned in this way.
The court is under much better manage
ment than the Unionist government. No mis-
takes are made by the King. and his popularity
increases daily To-day he is speeding his son
on long voyage around the world with mis-
sion Of goodwill and respect for the loyal colo
mes The weather has been unfavorable for a
pageant at Portsmouth. but good judgment has
been displayed in all the arrangements The
King and Mr.. Joseph Chamberlain know that
Imperialism is the strongest and most popular
Issue now before the English people The King
VIII receive the diplomatic body on Monday and
oistrlbute decorations al a special investiture,
hnd will reply to the addresses Of a large num-
Der of delegations later I'm the week. Men are
Saying that the royal escorts of cavalry seem
to move through the crowded streets more rap
ieiy than formerly. This is true; the King will
not be outdone by the German Emperor. whose
oaTairymen dash by at full sallop. and has put
iresh spirit into the Household Cavalry. He also
Keeps all officials and clerks up 10 their work.
Court sinecurists. who under the last reign did
little hut draw their salaries in advance. are now
expected TO report for duty daily The Kings
talent for details. his remarkable memory and
MS habit of deciding matters quickly are COM
ing into play in the business of reigning-
The premature disclosure Of confidential esti-
mates made for the committee which is consid-
efing the Civil List caused much annoyance
both al court ard in Downing Street. THE
Times" is represented I'm Parliament by very
anle man. named Pitt. who succeeded in getting
important Information showing that the
penoitures Of the court would he greatly
efeeo There has been talk Of disciplining him
IN some drastic manner, hut there is no likeli-
"ood Of his being imprisoned in the Tower like
Aennon White who secured the text Of the
treaty with Washington. The Times" is too
powerful a journal for the Speaker to put its
,'u parliamentary hand on the rack and force
nm to tell which member of the committee gave