New-York tribune., 1902-02-02

tBY CABLE TO TRIBUNE
London Feb The ministers. are going on
country weekend visits in high spirits. They
have asked for supplementary grant of 900
600 and II nothing more be needed before April
/ this is a practical demonstration that the
weekly cost Of the war has been reduced from
81 2-0000 70 S1o00000. They have introduced
a bin dealing with habitual drunRards, which
has pleased the national temperance reformers
and a measure for the regulation Of the London
water supply. which has not divided its own
supporters. even if II has met a hostile recep-
ton from the Opposition. They have produced
an amended form of procedure. dealing with the
inertia Of conserVa tism rather than organized
obstruction, and are receiving more compliments
than abuse from the Opposition. The amiaole
Arthur Balfour, instead of being a revolution
ist trampng upon the rights of ministers
energes as a social reformer laboring TO pro-
tect aged and rheumatic members from eX-
cessve exercise in draughty Hobbies, to promote
good digestion and regular habits, by imparting
= hxtv % the dinner hour and TO enable every
one 70 get out Of London betmes every week
end by shifting the short afternoon session from
Wednesday 10 Friday There are technical
ponts respecting hustling private members into
.o-ners deferring the questions hour until the
rne when the galleries are empty, and fore
stauing motions for adjournment in the House.
been a good cobber IN patching up the anti
cua-e5 rules. and that resistance. except from
the Irish. will not be strenuous and that every
hodv viii be more comfortable.
The ministers, after being reproached for gov
e-ning the country inefficently. have not only
aisnlaved talent for economy, deXterity in
,agis,ating on beer and water. and 1exibility in
amending the procedure. but they have also
Esn. their ears close to the ground. listening TO
the first overture for peace. Not even Lord
Rosebery could say that they were deaf or in
attentive when they reported 20 the country the
first tejephone call received from The Hague
and spent a week of silent meditation over the
utterly unauthorized terms of peace Of the
Dutch Government They have not been re-
pulsed. but the overtures have been turned 70
practical account for the purpose Of proving
that the Beers are impractIcable and that hos
ttlities must continue until half dozen leaders
are taken.
Mr. Brodrfck has removed the suspicion that
the British army in the field has been weakened,
by reporting that over a quarter Of million
soldiers in South Africa are employed in occu-
pying the country and hunting down six thou
sand or more guerillas. He has also offered sub
stantal proofs Of the progress Of pacification
in the large districts and the resumption OF in
dustry in the Rand. He has failed to make an
effective defence Of the official nismanagement
OF the purchase OF cavalry horses andmemounts,
disclosed by the report OF the War Office COM
1nIttee. The report reveals discreditable state
Of ineficiency IN the purchasing department.
with the Implication that horse jobbers outside
have been fattened on the commissions.
The government ma jority sank to low figures
when Mr.. Labouchere virtually sprang a vote
OF censure this question last night. but this
reduction was helped out by the slackness Of
whipping. and could not be interpreted as an
evidence that the nation is weakening in the
determination TO carry the war 70 an end with
out reference 10 the burdens of taxation
There are few fresh episodes IN foreign rela-
tons. The Brussels conference is clearly doomed
to failure. The British Government is not ap-
plying pressure by threatening TO impose coun-
tervailing duties TO offset bounties. Sir Michael
Hicks-Beach has convinced himself that this
course is inpra cticab bic, owing 10 the German
cartes. or selling syndicates. organized for dis
posing Of the surplus product broad and regu-
lsting prices If government export bounties
we're in the way. countervailing duties might
easily be arranged; but the experts report that
the German export trade is Systematically
controlled by the selling syndicate that the
price can be regulated and the val producers
undersod. in spite of any tariff offset.
While the chances Of effective diplomatic
legislative action against German sugar inter
ests are diminishing, signs are multiplying that
the Reichstag will throw out the new tariff bill
on account Of the popular hostility to increased
taxation on bread and meat. The Socialist VIC
tory in the bye-election in Saxony this week is
proof that the proposed tariff has frightened
Inc Industrial class. The Socialist poll was in
creased over 1000 on the direct issue OF free
uade in food imports. The result has dis
couTaged the Agrarians clamoring for higher
outies on agricultural products. and warned the
National Liberals that they are out of touch
with the artisan class.
The satisfaction caused in Italy by Mr.
Nhamberlain's trivial concession in the language
question in Malta and the improved relations
Win Germany In consequence of the visit of
he Prince OF Wales are good auguries for the
uoFonation festivities. All the reignng houses
VI Inc Continent will be personally represented
N Westminster Abbey, and special embassies
VII probably be restricted TO the great repubI-
an commonwealths of the United States and
france The announcement that the Presidents
-sugnter and sister will accompany the chief of
Tie United States special embassy excites ap-
%eeiative comment. The attentions showered
u Prince Henry in America will be regarded
more phiiosophically in England when the Presi-
-its daughter is among the expected guests
: the coronation Mrs. Cowles will be well
'med to London by large circle of friends.
Ane court has set the example of the general
sumption Of gayety. The King has been TO
- .heatre twice, breaking the precedents Of
- toriy years Of his mothers widowhood and
nnee OF Wales is making engagements for
s4'Kng concerts in Queens Hall and public
uohs OF all kinds. Various reforms In court
eaufe are impending. the requirement of
e., Vi admission and the change Of the hour
ees from to ~ being one Of the earliest