New-York tribune., 1902-12-29
BRITAIN'S TRADE YEAR.
GOOD. ON THE WHOLE.
II Minister Of Commerce Wanted-
Queer Sto7y about the Car.

Especial TO The New-York Tribune by French Cabeo
Copyright: 1902: BY The Tribune Associaton9
London Dec 90 l g. n.-The year which is
rapidly drawing to a close has been, on the
whole a good one for British trade. Although
the boom which was predicted as the result OF
peace in South Africa has not yet put IN All
appearance still John Bull, shipoWner, snip
builder. manufacturer, merchant, engineer, COT
liery owner banker and financier, can afford 10
look back upon 1902 with certain sense OF
satisfaction. John has at last woke up TO the
necessity of keeping himself abreast of the
times in regard to methods Amalgamation and
reconstruction have been the order of the day.
and even the railway companies have begun to
take in hand the reorganization Of their mineral
and goods traffic. Revenue is coming in well in
excess of estimates and shows fair proper
tionate increase over last year. after making
allowance FOR additional taxation. On the other
hand, though more than six months nave
elapsed since the termination of the Boer war,
the national expenditure has not yet begun 10
show the reduction which taxpayers would like
to see and it is probable in consequence OF In
creased demands for various purposes in South
Africa, for reorganization of the army and navy
and for larger grants on account of education,
this side of the national accounts will not snow
a very considerable reduction for some time to
The question of the appointment of British
Minister of Commerce is the chief topic OF dis
cussion in trade circles just now. Commercial
men regard the Board of Trade as a fosslllzed
department. and it certainly, at present, Is of
little use to traders Sir Albert Rol1et will rep
resent the views of various British Chambers of
Commerce in this matter when Parliament re-
assemblies in February. What they ask for is
Of himself been a
commercial man.
The complication in Morocco receives scant
attention here but is commented upon strongly
in Madrid. The Spanish newspapers say 1t Is
very doubtful if there would be any improve
nent in the situation if the powers inter
ested in the Moroccan Empire interviewed. Spain
naturally is anxious to maintain the status quo
in Morocco as long as possible. the present
state of her resources would only allow her to
play an inferior part in the event of any foreign
intervention.
The Church of England. while still in mourn
ing for the Archbishop of Canterbury has suf-
feresi another severe loss by the death of the
Bishop Of St Aibans There is quite an ex-
ceptional amount of illness in the ranks of the
episcopacy just now. The Bishop of London.
who has been more graveiy i'll than is generally
supposed, has been sent away to Bournemouth.
The Suffragan Bishop of Southampton is lying
very seriously ill., and the stalwart and soldiery
Bishop of Bath and Wells is also confined to his
bed.
Dispatches from Durham show that Mr.. Cham
berIain Las made a profound impression In
Natal.
All of this mornings newspapers print pict-
uresque descriptions of the scenes at Delhi on
the eve of Lord Curzon's state entry into that
city to-day.
A curious story comes through private sources
from ST Petersburg about the Car. who. as is
we'll known, of late years has taken great inter
est in Spiritualism. namely, that The Hague con-
ference was the direct result of spiritualistic
seance at which, having received call, he was
told that it was his duty to bring about peace
in the world. l. N r.