New-York tribune., 1902-02-18
UNDERBID BY BELGIANS.
BRITISH STEEL MANUFACTURERS LOSE
HOME CONTRACTS.
TRIP OF BOER DELEGATEs-BLUE BOOK
ON AFRICAN CONCENTRATION CAMPS.
Copyright; 1902: Ry The Tribune, Associationl
tRY CABLE TO THE TRIBUSEJ

Copyright; 1902: Ry The Tribune AssociatonD
tBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNFI
London. Feb. IS / a. m.-The British rail
manufacturers have been outcIassed h. their
Belgian rivals in bids for large contracts Of
material needed for the electric traction sub
urban lines of London. The Highways Commit
tee Of the Common Council will report to-day in
favor Of the acceptance Of the foreign bids
which are Is per cent below the lowest English
tenders. This is fresh proof that the steel plant
Of the United Kingdom Is behind the times and
incapable of keeping abreast with foreign coun-
tries. The absence Of German and American
competition in these contracts IS explained in
the trade as the result of the unusual condi-
tions prevailing in the United States. where the
supply Of iron and steel IS inadequate for meet
ing the requirements Of the home market. Con-
siderable imports OF steel have been ordered
from Germany, because the material cannot be
supplied with sufficient rapidity for home con
sumption in the United States and there has
been serious delay in carrying ont contracts OF
American firms for railway construction in
Mexico and other foreign countries American
and German competition was shut off for this
reason from the London County Councils work
But even with this advantage. the English and
Scotch manufacturers lost a good contract from
the lower prices of Belgian material Large
contracts for electric equipment OF rhe Hudders-
field tramways have been awarded To a Man
chester firm. An immense amount of municipal
work Of this nature will come into the market
in the course Of a few years
The departure Of the Boer delegates for Amer
lea Is not regarded by the English press as A
serious incident. British officials are not con
vinced that Lord Cranborne has come out well
in his explanations Of the secret history Of
diplomatic action in the Spanish-American War.
since he has enabled the German Emperor to
prove that the Berlin Foreign Office disapproved
Of the meddlesome intervention of the powers
but they comfort themselves with the reflection
that an object lesson has been offered against
the interference Of the American Government in
affairs in South Africa. The best point made
against the government is Lord Rosebery's con
tention that the ministers insist upon making
peace with the Boer leaders fighting in the field
whom they have themselves by the proclamation
of September - condemned 10 perpetual ban
ishment. This argument weakens the force Of
Lord Lansdowne's reply to the Dutch Govern
ment and may facilitate the final recognition
OF the Boer delegates as negotiators The Brit
ish Government, however like the American
Government before and after the war with
Spain, Will not welcome intervention of a for
eign power.
An influential Welsh delegation will visit the
Mr.. Chamberlain TO provide a transport 70 carry
a large number Of Welshmen from Patagonia to
Canada. William ~ Griffith. Canadian agent at
Cardiff and w. J. Rees, from Swansea, who
visited Patagonia. head the delegation. Sir
John Lleweliyn will entertain the delegation at
luncheon after the official interview. About
800 of these Welsh settlers occupy 10000
acres divided into $50 farms. where no produce
can be grown without irrigation and where re-
curing foods have proved disastrous. The
transplanting Of this agricultural colony 10
Canada is advocated strenuously by the Welsh
delegation.
The Kronprinz Wilhelm in communication
with the Marconi wireless telegraph station at
the Lizard from 1870 o'clock until yesterday
morning At the latter hour the German liner
calculated TO be 140 miles west of the
Cornish coast. Owe hundred words were sent
through between $50 and o'clock.
The Brussels correspondent Of The Standard
states that DR.. Miller will he received by the !
President. to whom he will hand letter from
Mr.. Kriiger.
A considera BILE sensation caused in the |
Parliamentary lobbies last evening by the pres
ence of young giant from Georgia. Standing !
: feet Z inches. he lowered in a striking way
over the surrounding throng in the outer lobby. |
Another blue book was issued last night deal /
ing with the South African concentration camps
The reports by DR.. Kendall Franks. who visited /
the various camps in the Transvaal and Orange
River Colony. are satisfactory on the whole
DR. Franks. however. reveals deplora BILE state /
of affairs at the Mafeking camp which has
suffered much from an insufficient supply of |
medical men and nurses. l. n. F.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN STATISTICS.
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by thousands upon thousands Of cases, any com:
pettiye prshq, Mos' $50. Sitb ts ne sigsntit