New-York tribune., 1902-03-30
NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS.
LONDON.
PROSPECT OF PEACE IN SOUTH AFRICA
HOPEFUL.
The I-DTsCRTMINATE EULOGY OF CECIL
RHODES-ACTIVE CORONATION
PREPARATIONS
CCop-right. ia"2. BY The Tribune Assocation.)
-E-a-laL :. ~ -.--a-.--. ~ E--.-cl, l.atla


there be no outhurst Of light there is a sense
Of departing darkness, with premonitons If the
dawn # 4 new era of reconciliation. While
there IS no definite news from Kronstad respect
ing the results Of the Boer conference there Is a
horeful prospect Of the success of SChaIkburger's
preliminary mission. Everything indicates that
he and General Borha are prepared 10 make
peace on the basis Of a general amnesty. legis-
lstive autonomy and money grant in aid of the
burghers and 70 waive the demand for national
Independence. for which KRUGER in Europe and
the generals in the field have been obstinatey
holding out # Mr.. Steyn and General De Wet
can be converted 10 this view. General Dearey
will n0r he likely TO interpose obstacles.
Peace cannot be negotiated without much de-
Iay ana argument. but there is little doubt that
the virtors. viii he magnanimous if the Beers
abandon the demand for nationality and allow
tie boodstained map of South Africa 10 be
pair-e5 an British red. as Cecil Rhodes would
have said. The Spectator" and other journals
enforce the moral Of Grants negotiations with
Lee and urge that the surrender should be
tempered by as much mercy and kndlness as
possible and that the feelings Of the Beers after
their gallant struggle should be respected. These
Pleadlrzs without doubt reflect public opinion
Englshmen. true 70 themselves. respect and
admire the hurghers for the wonderful campaign
folaht under tremendous disadvantages. and
wish 20 be generous in the final settlement and
make the submission as little humiliating as pos
sibA At the same time they will insist upon
having permanent peace without the conven-
tions which may become source Of contention
and jealousy like the two treaties made by
Gladstone after the first Boer There will
be no arrntstice until the Boer negotiators offer
proof that they are thoroughly in earnest and
not bent upon wasting time.
The details Of Lord Kitchener's drive against
General Delarev prove that military operations,
instead II being slaCk Ckened are prosecuted with
undiu7inished vigor The lack Of mobility Of the
British columns has been the inscrutable mystery
of the entire campaign At last an achievement
Is recorded in which the British columns, un-
3mpeded by guns and supply train. have not
only moved as rapidly the Beers, but have
virtually gore through their lines, and then
wheeled about and driven the enemy before
them. Operations Of this kind were common
enough in the American Civil War, when cav
airy raids were a prominent feature, but the
British mounted forces in hunting down gueril-
las instead Of riding straight and light. and
doubling back with the enemy have been en-
ployed in slow concentric driving movements as
elaborate as Aldershot manpuvres. II the Sc
crets Of mobility and rough riding have been
learned in Deiarey's district. the extension Of
the blockhouse system viii not be requisite for
bringing the To an end.
Cecil Rnodes's strange forecast that his en-
en1ies would slobber over his deathbed has not
been fulfilled Those who dtsliked the masterful
influence Of the great imperialist m political az
fairs at home and in the empire are discreetly
silent although unconvinced. He might we'll
have craved deltverance from the outburst Of
hind euloev and adulation which has not been
z useful service to the memory Of a unique and
picturesque Erglishman. Imperialism has
known no more expansive irony than the sudden
apotneoss Of Cecil Rhodes. after six wears OF
obloquy and denunciation a millionaire IN
triguer responsible for the Jameson raid ana
Great Britain's enormous toll Of death and taxa
tion ny the Bcer campaign. The sudden trans
formation Of public opinion has been aided by
the choice Of rbe burial place. in lonely majesty
among the Ma1oppo hills. This was the fancy
Of an idealist who remained a dreamer even
while he took materialistic view of the money
power as one Of the resources Of empire. but IL
fascinated public interest and rendered the CLOS
inr scene Of the career Of the elorhed imperial
ist UNIQUE and impressive. Full justice to Cecil
Rhodes win not be done even by his most loyal
friends until the provisions of his will respect
ing public trust, established for the benefit OF
South Africa and education, are known.
FOREIGN affairs offer few points Of interest.
The arnroaching establishment of the Cuban
Per,b1i. is discussed in detail by the English
rrers Americans are credited with altruism
in refraining from the permanent occupation
Of the island and with sincerity in rodeemlhg
the pledges made as emphatcaiy as MI CAD
stones respecting Egypt. But the resuI's oi
the uneelfsh policy are not considered hopelul-
The English view is that the day for srhall
States is over. and that the establishment OF
reU nationality. with limited power ana re-
sources IS not a gain for CIVILIZATION IL Is
assumed that cuba viii he exposed to internal
revolution and harassed by misgovernment. and
that ultimately annexation will close chapter
Of rnisoalrllated altruism Moralists who know
the facts about the West Indian industries
assert that while the British sugar islands
are allowed temporary respite. those ISLANDS
VIII be placed at a terrible disadvantage When
Cuba is favored by a tariff reduction OF one
fifth in the American market. But their con-
dition would be hopeless II annexation were ac-
oomplished
Senior Sagasta's ministry, while not attempt
ing 70 rival the English coronation. appreciates
the good effects Of popular fete. The BOY
Kings parliamentary oath viii be preceded ny
Week Of revelry with a military review a
bullhght. a gaia night at the opera, banquets
and popular rejoicing. Foreign powers are
dgnifying the ceremony by sending special am
bassadors. and Madrid will have stately spec
tacle. even more impressive than Queen VIII
helnaina's installation. Preparations for the
coronation function here have already made
active progress. The transformation Of the
Abbey w-iI be entered upon next week, under
the direction and at the charge Of the Board Of
Works The number Of galleries has been in
creased, but the seating accommodation is not
likely 10 exceed eight thousand. The West End
and the streets along the route Of the process
sion have been surrendered generally TO house
painters White and gray are the popular col
far h. hOfe e1S