New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-03-02
NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS.
LONDON.
COMMERCIAL INTEREST THE GREAT
MODERN LEVER.
ONLY PERFUNCToRY INTEREST IN PAR
IIAMENT-HOPE FOR PEACE IN SOUTH
AFRICA ON CORONATION DAY.
Copyright; 1902: BY The Tribune Association)
ny CARIF TO TIE TRIRTNE.l


Try CABLE TRIBUNEl
London March 1.-The moral for these times
s that the interests of commerce are greater
nan those Of dynasties. political factions or
tnecjal industries The weekly reviewers, after
eompIimenting Americans for the strenuous
pression of gush adopt Mr.. Reid's idea of the
community Of action OF the United States, Ger
many and England as the progressive COM
rnerciaI powers, and concluc- that Prince Hen
rvs visit Will prove helpful to the three coun-
tries.
The Spectator contends cogently that the
visit OF Archduke Franz Ferdinand to St
Petersburg cannot materially strengthen the
bonds of Austria ard Russia when Hungary is
averse 10 the coalition but that it may exercise
deterrent influence upon German taxation Of
imported TODD. The German tariff however, is
already doomed unless all signs fail. The eX
change Of compliments between the reigning
houses is not requisite in order 10 influence the
withdrawal of the measure designed for the spe
cial protection of the agricultural class The
German Government has discovered that the
reciprocity policy and export trade would be
sacrificed by the concessions 10 the Agrarian
demands. and a halt has been called in tariff
legislation and faction politics.
The Sugar Conference at Brussels offers an
even more striking illustration of the truth that
commercial interest is the longest lever for
moving the modern world. The bounty policy.
which has developed the beet sugar industry TO
an enormous magnitude. and exposed the cane
countries 10 destructive competition. has been
undermined by the general commercial interests
OF the world. The United States has led the
way in antagonizing il by imposing discrimi-
mating duties against the bounty fed sugar,
and incidentally has come to the rescue of the
British West Indies when the imperial govern
Tnent would do nothing TO raise the price of
cheap marmaiade. The Indian Government fol-
lowed the example of the United States in levy
ing similar duties and the imperial government
declined to exercise the veto power. The Brit
fish Government at last has forced proposals for
the abolition Of hounties upon the Continental
powers. and the replies OF the governments are
under discussion at to-day's session. The sugar
producers of various countries supported by
mercantile rings and Industrial cartels, have
offered strenuous resistance but there is now
& bright prospect Of the dscontinuance of sthe
bounty system in consequence of the economic
and commercial disturbance created by il. The
British menace Of countervailing duties has
been strong force held in reserve. Equally
true is it that the Anglo-Japanese alliance i'm
plies guardianship of the open door prin-
ciple for the common interests Of the worlds
commerce.
Halfpenny journalism displays lack of in
ventiveDess in reviving the stories about the
retirement OF LORD Salisbury and the struggle
over the succession Lord Salisbury has always
been stench friend of the King, and is the
last man 10 bring on a political crisis the
eve of the coronation. The members OF his
family are bent upon keeping him where he is
and not allowing him leisure for broodlng over
the burdens OF increasing age 1t is moreover
easier for Lord Salisbury to remain in office
than 10 arrange armistice between Mr.
Chamberlain and Sir Michael Hicks Beach. The
duties of party leadership are not oppressive
when the faction rent opposition is constantly
scattering into fresh groups and then influenza
screens one minister after another from harass-
ing debate
Parliament is dull place, with the decline of
debating power and with comedy degenerating
into dabby burlesque. The only justification for
the presence of the large body of legislators at
Westminster this year is the necessity of money
grants. The protracted debate over the pro-
ceoure for regulating the dinner hour. the week
end adjournment and the restrictions upon the
inquistive ignorance of talkative members is
not worthy Of the traditions of the great assem-
bly,
Legislative projects like the London water
bill, Sir Charles Wyndham's promised tinkering
OF the Irish land system, and the nebular edu-
cauonal hypothesis are not signs OF ministerial
N'-'~-N'-Ns- ICH lltiuSIlS OF real interest re-
leve the tedium of financial legislation. T. w
RusselPs powerful advocacy of the compulsory
purchase Of Irish estates has been one episode,
especially he had no supporters either among
the Unionists the Nationalists, yet compelled
al TO listen. Mr.. Morley's breaking a long
silence In order to support Mr. Dillon was inter
esting also as a reminiscence of oIdtime loyalty
10 Gladstone. Lord Lytton's advocacy of the
= amendment TO the Factory act enabled the
had Inherited a large measure of his fathers
and grandfather's intellectual ability.
There is singular lack Of large questions Of
genuine public interest. The Lords committee
on the evils of betting is conducting a per-
functory inquiry and calling upon experts like
Sir James Lowther TO explain the futility of
newspaper tips, the general respecta bility of
the Jockey Club and the methods of winning
or losing money on horse races sound COM
mercial principles. Neither the Tattersall's
comTlttee nor the bucket shop hnanciers take
serious view of these openings for reform.
The agitation for full inquiry into war con-
tracts continues, and mathematicians with clean
states cipher out in their own way the losses
cue to government mismanagement, the es-
Inmates sometimes exceeding f2o.o0o.Ooo or
tSopcoOoo; but figures, like the political meta
phors Of the day are all in the air
Inere is a languid discussion in literary cir
cles Of the project for the creation OF a British
academy for historical. pathological and philo-
sophcal studies but little interest is taken in
IT, although IT is known that the King would
Ike 20 institute some permanent memorial of
MS reign in the world OF letters.
religious questions are equally without
controversial public. The Kings action in send
ing Earl Denbigh to Rome with congratulations
TO the Pope does not excite criticism, especially