New-York tribune., 1902-12-28
NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS.
AFFAIRS IN LONDON.
ReEef and Resentment Ouer Venez-
uela Settlement.
csp.cisI to The New-Tork Tribune by French Cabie)
fconrriE1t; 1902: BY The Tribune Association)

,specisl TO The New-Tork Tribune by French Cabe)
Copyright: 1902: BY TIE Tribune AssociatonD
1ondon. Dec 27-The Venezuela settlement is
received with mingled feelings of relief and
resentment The Presidents unwillingness to
accent the responsibilities of arbitrator is re-
eratted since the chief desire of the English
neople was 10 leave the Washington government
in exclusive charge of practical measures Tor
edanting the Monroe Doctrine to the processes
of international distraint and the collection of
financial claims in tropical America. They are
however. easily reconcileI TO arbitration by
The Hague Tribunal since it is method which
the President, after q full exchange of views
with the various powers, has adopted. They
are uncertain whether the Ban Righ question and
the ownership of Patos Island are included with
the British claims submitted to The Hague arhi-
tration, but they are glad to be rid Of the
Venezuela complication on any terms satisfac-
tory to the Washington government, because
they consider the naval demonstration an in
GLORIOUS affair and have disliked the coalition
with Germany for any purpose.
The ministers have been warned from the out
set by the press Of both parties that popular
resentment against Germany account of
various episodes Of the Boer was bitter,
and that an alliance with that power was not
wanted. especially in an affair involving the
claims Of bondholders Of questionable validity
Rudyard Kipling is not a dplomatist, but he
knows intuitively the feeling of the English
masses, and has expressed II bluntly The
English people dislike entangling alliances with
the Continent anG prefer TO depend upon the
loyalty of the colonies as demonstrated in the
Boer war, and cultivate the friendliest possible
relations with the United States.
The action of the Washington government in
choosing the form of arbitration vindicates the
ssEacity of the Czar in proposing an alternative
course for arnannen-s and warfare, and sane
i,olss the employment efThe Hague triounai
even IN the most delicate and complex inter
national questions. The moral effect OF the
American preference for The Hague arbitration
even in matters closely connected with the
Monroe Doctrine. although not, perhaps, directly
involving the main principle of the cardinal
doctrine OF Washington diplomacy for eighty
years can hardly fail TO he saiutary- The op-
tinistic scheme, which excited the fine irony OF
the diplomatists OF all countries as good ar
Tangement for the millennium, has been ac-
cepted i.y Europe and America as the best pos
sibe expedient for the settleIpsat of a trouble
some affair involving the fin lncial interests and
jealous riyalries of two hemispheres- 1t IS a
good omen for the peace Of the world at the
same time that the Monroe Doctrine which has
been a practical peace measure between the
two hemispheres. has not been compromised
beginning to the end at Washington, and, while
the President has declined to arbitrate in per-
son be has settled the method of procedure be-
tween the European powers and the disordered
South American State, and established the pre-
eminelce Of the American Government through
out the troublesome affair Secretary Hay
has also vindtcated his right to be ranked
among the greatest American Secretaries OF
State
Lord Rosebery must be the de facto if not the
de lure leader of the Liberal party, for he is
almost the only target Of criticism ana ABUSE
by the government press The preteXt Tor the
attack upon him is the aggressive attitude taken
by him toward the Education act lie mas hot
justified explicitly the agitation against rate
paving but he has spoken symPathetically 10
Nonconformists, and asserted that they caiiio'
be expected to lie down under the Education
act As the Nonconformists have not liked me
horseracing earl, this concession TO them mas
strengthened him in a quarter where he Was
weak The Liberal dissensions have virtually
disappeared and Lord Rosebery is now III touch
with the whole party. The Conservative re
proach that an alternative government Is ilil-
possible has lost its sting A Liberal govern
merit could now be formed almost as easiiy as
in 1880 when Mr.. Gladstone was nominally IN
dependent. just as Lord Rosebery is now. II
hardly be doubted that IN the event VI S"'
eminent defeat Earl Spencer and Sir henry
Campbell -Bannerman would decline 10 under
take the Premiership, just as Earl Granville
and Lord Harrington did then, and that Lord
Rosebery would be- Ike Mr.. Gladstone, neces-
ssry man.
The Newmarket election VIII be , supreme
test Of Nonconformist feeling. The Liberal can
didate c d Rose q son OF Governor Morton :
former Canadian partner. is a prominent horse
owner sn6 ore of Lord Rosebery's friends but
the NcnconforInists are rallying the forces be-
hind him because he IS sound on the Education
bill The Dor question has also peeh raised
by this election and the effect will be closely
watched by the practical politicians. The IAN
Vale decisions have rendered strikes actlonapie
against trades union funds and paralyzeo the
ordinary activities of labor asitators CONCERTED
action has not yet been taken, but the uaues
unions will probably demand specihc changes ~
the laws which have been interpreted oy tne
courts against them, and every candidate VIII pe
required TO pledge himself 10 support 'hese
amendments Educa ton and Ia Dor will be the TWO
principal issues in the next general election II
LORD Rosebery takes up the labor question ID
the same spirit in which ne has dealt with tne
Nonconfornists his grip upon the Liberal leaoeF-
SIP viii be strengthened.
The news Of the day at the close OF the year
presents a strange medley OF grave and gay
Continued page four.