New-York tribune., 1902-02-16
LONDON.
ruF ANGI o-JAPANESE GREAT INTER
NATIONAL TRUST.
soER WAR CROWDED INTO BACKGROUND
THE DIPLOMATIC DISCLOSURES.
tcopy7tEst. 1902: 81 The Tribune Association }


with japan is the first question which has filled
he public mind 10 the exclusion of everything
else since Rutgers ultimatum was dispatched
The effect Of fresh topic of absorbing interest
has been distinctly invigorating stinaulant
10 national pride. It was needed after the pro-
rracted period Of preoccupation with the har-
sssing guerilla warfare, al once difficult and
jnglorous. Ike the American operations in the
philippines. and it has come with the stir made
IN the world by Lord Lansdowne's treaty and
TIE consciousness that England has again as
suned the responsibilities OF leadership in the
Far Easr
sngularlE enough. the strongest attack upon
the new diplomatic policy has come from the
stronghold Of sentimental optimism. THE Spec
tator" taking counsel from its own nervousness
complains that Russia has been proclaimed
frankly enemy. and that England has
been left incautiousiy in the inexperienced hands
q Japan. \ more practical objection has been
urged by Henry Norman and THE Manchester
Guardian namely, that Canada and Australia
which have been lesislating against the Japan
ess. will be embarrassed by the new alliance;
but this is nainimized by the favora BILE ex-
pressions by leading colonial journals.
Lord Rosebery's criticism that the treaty ought
70 have been made long ago has even greater
weight, for II IS not Vet clear whether the barn
door has not been bolted after the Russian nag
has broken the halter ana found secure past
urage IN Manchuria. Lord Salisbury's judg-
ment in taking Lord Lansdowne upstairs after
the failure Of the War Office has been fully
7lndicated. The treaty with Japan is a great
stroke, and destined to make Lord Lansdowne
famous, and also TO revive Lord Salisbury's in
tsrest in public affairs and keep him in office
Il also marks great advance in what may he
described as the world processes for creating
The Manchester school began half century
ego with the theory OF non-intervention in for
egu affairs, and ended with the laissez faire
policy Of trading everywhere with the least pos
sble Interference and with absolute free play
Of competitive forces. This treaty is proof that
the freedom Of commerce cannot be secured by
Irresponsible trading, and that powerful govern
nents must guarantee and safeguard the prin-
cple Of the open door in the interest of the
collective commerce Of the maritime world. 1t
rs an International combination, or trust, with
England and Japan as the mana ging directors
sni the United States and Germany silent
rartnsrs.
The departure Of Prince Henry for America
has been TOO we'll advertised By the Foreign
Offices at Berlin and London. Everybody in
t0uch with official and diplomatic life here is
amazed by the indiscretions involved in the
publication Of documents and details ordinarily
kept under seal Veterans in the Civil Service
trained in the art of holding their tongues. do
not conceal their disgust over the chatter about
the Washington conference week before the
outbreak OF the Spanish-American War. and
the stark naked candor with which everybody
concerned blurts out matters which ought to
have been regarded as state secrets! The
cynical comment is made that trained Euro
pear liplonatists are oUtrivalng the processes
of the yellow journalism, and that all the con-
ventions and proprieties have been violated
for the purpose Of convincing Americans that
In the crisis of Spanish-American affairs
Germany WAS less hostile and England less
friendly than either has been represented by
self-interested partisans- The controversy is
regarded by old hands as discreditabe alike.
% both diplomatic services. and a dubious
compliment TO the intelligence of the Americans
who knew well enough the trend Of foreign af-
fairs al that period. They also intimate that the
Americans themselves can hardly hope TO escape
being stUng when the wasps' nest has been stirred
up, and wonder how President McKinleys mem
CRY will be vindicated from the undeserved
reproach Of deceiving Congress and making an
unjust war when Spain was prepared TO grant
every concession. It is manifestly unfortunate
that the graceful compliment paid TO Americans
hT the German Emperor in sending Prince
Henry on q mission Of goodwill should have
British and German officials and the press to
prove that 'Codins the friend, not Short"
when the three nations ought to have full en-
ployment in cooperating with another
along the lines OF such conventions the
Anglo-Japanese agreement, for the defence of
the worlds commerce.
The debate in the Commons on amended pro-
csdure has already become tedious There is
Indifference outside of the House respecting the
new method Of ministering TO the comfort and
social engagements of the members, and
real enthusiasm among government supporters.
Sir John KennaWay Sterling. the Devonshire
member. who often plays the part Of the candid
friend with great effect, has denounced the
demand for an apology after punishment as
revolving 10 the British sense Of justice. This
vas more effective than Mr.. Redmonds forcible
Warning against reprisals directed against the
Irish. II is not unlikely that several COM
promises like Mr.. Wanklyns amendment re
specting questions will be adopted.
The Admiralty programme is the only impor-
tant disclosure Of government policy apart from
the treaty with Japan. This is scarcely larger
than that Of Germany for the current year.
and fails to satisfy the beIigerent imperialists
who point TO the greatly increased ornaments
Of Russia and France. It is. however, costly
enough for the unhappy Chancellor OF the Ex-
ehequer. with the war chest needing to be con-
stantly replenished and with the mortality
among nillionaires exceptionally low.
Lord Rosebery's speeches at Liverpool con-
unue TO bear evidence that so far as the Liberal
reunion is concerned, his thoughts are still at
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