New-York tribune., 1902-12-17
SUSPECT THE EMPEROR.
NOTIFIES QUESTIONED.
English Fear He Would Wakf
Trouble With This Country.
Copyright: 1902: BY The Tribune Association-'
IBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE-I


London, Dec. II. 1 A. M-There is a momen-
tarv subsistence of the public discussion re-
specting the Venezuela affair. The bondholders
claims are less conspicuous than city men had
supposed from the interest taken by the bankers
in obtaining a settlement with an American
guarantee The point which excites general
prejudice is that the British government mas
been committed virtually to support the German
claims. which are believed to be a miscellaneous
lot good bad and Indifferent. Yet there can
be no withdrawal by either ally. except by
mutual agreement This hard and fast agree
nent which did not operate well in China
is regarded by many writers with uneasiness.
since the German Emperor IS cynically sus-
pected of the intention of creating an estrahee-
ment between England and the United states
The fact that Count Metternich's proposal for
Joint action was not made until midsummer.
when clear understanding existed last De-
cember between Germany and the onited
States respecting the object and limitations
Of the coercive measures. escapes observation.
but there is a general agreement among the
writer's for the press that every diplomatic
detail has been arranged with the knowledge
and consent of the Washington Government.
which occupies a favorable position 1or en-
phasizng the proposals for aroltrauon rohi
Caracas whenever there may be practical
method of guaranteeing the results and holding
Venezuela to the obligations imposed by the
tribunal While England is formally COM
mitted TO the German claims there Is jealous
emulation between both governments in the
cultivation of good relations with the United
States and neither is likely to be outstripped
by the other if Washington indicates plainly
what should be done Lord LansdoWnes ad-
ditional explanation yesterday respecting the
blockade left 1t uncertain whether all the
vessels would be stopped or whether an at
tempt would be made by the British and Ger
man authorities 10 take possession of the GUS
toms at all the principal Venezuelan ports
The Germans are annoyed that the Liberal
party in the British Parliament has drawn pub
lie attention to the game which Germany is
playing with England In Venezuela. The Ber-
lin press urges the necessity OF keeping England
rigidly to her bargain. II is evidently beginning
to be feared that England be inclined 20
take the prudent course OF settling matters by
peaceable means. Germany does not want such
a settlement. The cruisers Niobe. Ariadne and
Amazon are now fully equipped for active ser
vice, and will proceed to Wilhelmshaven to-day
to take on board the rest OF their stores before
starting for Venezuela.
The House Of Lords amendments TO the Edu
cation bill were considered by the House OF
Commons yesterday. when the Speaker declared
that the question OF privilege removed
from the Bishop OF Manchest=rs amendment by
the addition OF the Duke of Norfolks amend
ment, stating that the cost OF repairs was not
to be burden any public fund. The amend
ment was then supported by the government
and carried by 1877 votes TO 159. The govern
r1ent escaped defeat owing to the return of the
Irish Nationalists 10 Parliament
The Hartopp divorce case. which has been
UP yesterday with singular lucidity and i'm
partiality by Justice Barnes. The charge
SO colorless that the jury was left to it's own
resources in unravelling the tangled skein of
evidence. The trial has been most dscredit-
able revelation of the morals and manners Of
smart society in country houses at raceng
courses, and in the hunting field. Sir Charles
Hartopp the racing baronet. and his wife, Lady
Hartopp, brought servants into court to prove
their charges and counter charges against each
other with the adventitious aid of fashionable
acquaintances private detectives. cabmen spies
and eavesdroppers. While the members of the
jury were warned from the bench that they
were not censors TO pass criticism on the mode
of life of people without other employment
than the pursuit OF their own pleasures. public
moralists go outside the direct issues of fact
and find in the case lamenta BILE evidence of
the decadence OF London society and the degra-
datfOn following the luxurious manners of the
smart set. The jury dismissed both petitions
for divorce, virtually deciding that neither
charge nor countercharge proved. and that
both contestants must pay immense law bills
and get on as best they without relief from
the courts The immense array of counsel had
succeeded in acquttting their clients all around
There was an important gathering of rail-
way directors at yesterdays meeting of the
Royal Statistical Society, when w. NJ. Acworth
read a paper English railway statistics.
He said that American railway reports were
year by year improving in fulness, in arrange
ment, and in uniformity. while English rail-
way returns remained to this day in all their
archaic simplicity. a monument to the wisdom
OF the nations ancestors and the ancestor
worship of their descendants. The chairman
of the Northeastern Company agreed and
the chairman Of the Great Northern Company
disagreed with Mr.. Acworth's suggestion that
the Board of Trade should appoint a COM
nittee to deal with the question of railway
statistical reform. l. n. F.