New-York tribune., 1901-04-29
CROWDING TO THE CITIES
A RESULT OF BRITISH AGRICULTURAL.
DEPRESSION.
PLANS OF THE KING AND QUEEN-sIR AL
FRED MILNER RETURNS FROM
SOUTH AFRICA
Copyright: 1901: By The New-York Tribune)
IBY CABLE TO THE TaIBUNEl

Copyright; 1901: BY The New-York TrfbuneD
TBY CABLE TO THE TsIBUNE.l
London, April %, a. m.-The purely agricult-
ural villages Of Great Britain are slowly but
steadily becoming depopulated. At the same
time the big cities and urban districts in the
manufacturing localities continue to increase in
population. These two facts are proved by the
census returns far as they have been pub
lished The gradual movement of population
from country to town, which has been very no.
ticeable during the last decade, seems likely to
go on so long the depression in British agri-
culture continues. and nobody dreams of re-
yival with tie possible exception of such
Sir Howard Vincent James Lowther and Henry
Chaplin. 1t is, indeed a practical certainty
that until England renounces her free trade
pocy the agriculture of the country will re-
main at low ebb, and the big cities and Lon
don in particular, will continue TO be overcrowd-
ed. People here have not yet begun seriously to
consider the way in which a solution of the over
croyding problem is to be arrived at. There is
a good deal of academic discussion of such ques-
tions as the housing of the working classes and
irnprovement in the facilities for transit, but
the government is unwilling deal with the
matter.
King Edward and Queen Alexandra at
sandringham taking the first real rest which
ed in London tomorrow. On Friday the King
will hold court at st. Janes's Palace for the
purpose of receiving addresses, after which the
reception of Roman Catholic deputation will
take place. 1t is likely that later in the year
his majesty will be visited by the Emperor and
Empress of Russia, who expected to travel
TO Scotland to view the Glasgow Exhibition.
But no definite arrangements in regard to this
visit have yet been fixed.
The country is dissatisfied because the war in
South Africa still drags along. During the last
few weeks the movement designed to sweep the
Northern Transvaal has been in progress and
q good many Beers have been captured, but the
impression prevails that the totals include more
old and boys left farms than bona fde
prisoners and at the rate Of a couple Of hundred
captures week 1t will take a long time to get rid
OF fifteen thousand Beers who are still believed
to be under arms Months have passed away
since the invaders entered Cape Colony, yet they
there to-day and quite as troublesome as
ever. Some people argue that the British army
is even now not strong enough for the task in
hand. Meanwhile Mr.. Brodrick's scheme Of
army reform is condemned by nearly every COM
petent critic. It is generally admitted that the
regular army will not be strengthened mate
rally until the attractiveness of the service is
increased.
Arrangements are quietly in progress for the
reception Of Sir Alfred AIilner in London. The
High Commissioner for South Africa has been
asked If he would accept invitation to a
public banquet, but ne has not yet been heard
from the point. A number Of his admirers
suggested that he banqueted before he
went 10 Cape Town he should be likewise en-
tertained on his return. 1t is, however, quite
possible that Sir Alfred Milner will not consent.
He would have to get Mr.. Chamberlain's per-
mission before accepting such invitation, as a
public banquet would imply pronouncement
upon the policy of the British Government in
South Africa, and it may be doubted whether
the Colonial Secretary would deem it opportune
for Sir Alfred Mill to make an important
speech in this co" " the South African
question until the storm and stress of the final
phase Of the have passed away.