New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-25
NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS.
1FFAIRS IN LONDON.
Peace Outlook an Far East-The
Fiscal Debate-Alaskan Decision.

scsssyr1xhs. iaos. BY Tribune Asscc,s,ionb
London. Oct. 24-The war cloud in the Far
y,as, is not larger than the Cars hand The
pacific character of the Russian sovereign is a
guarantee that he VIII intervene at the last mo-
,neut even II relations with Japan become
more critical than at present. and restrain
she ardor ot overzealous agents. The Hague
Peace Conference anc the construction OF the
Trans-sfnerian Railway are the chief achieve
rnents OF q memorable reign. and each would be
cloudes ev an unnecessary war with Japan
The most aggressive advisers OF the Car know
that Russia Will be in a better position for war
when the section Of the railway around Lake
lsaIksl is completed and steamers and sleoges
can be dispensed with for military transport
Consequently var is unlikely. unless Japan
forces n prernsturely. the theory that " must
come some time. and that the Russian feet and
Port Arthur can now be attacked more ef-
fectfveiy than In the future. when there are no
missing links in the railway chain
The outlook for peace has not improved dur
ing the ~eek but 81 is stin probable that the
ruuor rnongers exaggerate the seriousness OF
the situation. and that Russia after prohting
by an excuse for neglecting to relinquish Man
churia- VIII make a fresh pledge respecting
Corea- England. instead Of supporting vigor-
ously her maritime ally. Japan, is concilisting
Iusstsis ally France. and taking a more active
interest IN Macedonia than In either Manchuria
or Corea The Austro- Russian proposals are
now confidently reported as based upon the
British suggestions that either Christian Gov
errors or European assessors should be ap-
pointed for supervision Of the reforms in Mace
oon.s- II the Sultan accepts these terms the
insurgents cannot count upon either bulgarian
or European intervention. and viii be forced
20 continue guerilla warfare during the winter
under the most unfavorable conditions. The
Foreign Office here is also reported to be con-
sidering Sir Henry Drummond VOLTS recon-
incubation for 4 conference OF the powers to
take I'd the Macedonian question
The Continental rurnors that Pope Plus X
has made overtures to the Italian Government
for reconciliation are obviously premature. He
is not an impulslve Pontif. but acts with de-
liberation. lie is not likely 20. fling himself into
the arms OF the Kings ministers and abandon
The extreme claims OF the last two Popes to the
temporal sovereignty OF the ouirinaL The poll
ticians are probably responsible for the condi-
tions of the negotiation attributed to him, and
the new Secretary Of State. Merry del VAL is too
astute to commit himself in advance TO a hard
snd fast concordat between the Church and
State Vatican diplomacy. being directed by a
minister with Irish well Spanish blood.
viii be exerte6 TO favor the endowment Of the
Roman Catholic University az Dublin. Mr.. Bal
four cannot hope TO keep the Ministry above
water a. the next session unless he makes a
fresh concession 20 the Nationalist AND OBJ
taIns their support A University bill Is the
only alternative for Hcme Rule. snd the Cath
ciic clergy s'ho have supported the Nationalist
policy Will make themselves heard in favor OF
q drastic measure. Mr.. Lecky, whose death is
incurred to-day as a heavy loss TO English
literature favored MIR. Balfour's university
proiect but insisted upon having guarantees
that the higher education of ireland should not
he surrendered to the mercies Of the ultra
1nontsne clergy.
The great fiscal debate has been conducted
with more energy than vivacity during the
week. Messrs. Asquith. Grey and Brodrick be-
Eng on the platform to-day. Both Mr.. Morley
end Mr.. wyndham we're disappointing. and
NJ Chamberlain himself. while In the best pos
eIbie debating form. excited less enthusiasm at
Newcastle than in Scotland. The Lymington
election is claimed by the Liberals a de-
cisive rebuff 10 Mr.. Chamberlain, but the re-
ductioa Of Sir Alfred Lytteiton's majority is
merely an offset for the Rochester election,
where the Unionists triumphed with a good
local candidate. LyrningIon is virtually villa
CONSTITUENCY where the influence of people Of
moderate incomes u paramount This class has
not made up its mind respecting the new fiscal
policy, nor has the country. England is listen
ing fntently and suspiciously TO the arguments
of all speakers.
A companion volume TO Mr. Balfour's "Insuiar
Free Trade Is not yet advertised by any pub
Usher hut Il viii probably be issued before
the general elections. Il contains propo-
sails for preferential tariffs and the taxa
ton d food. which not discussed
in the earlier work Lord George Hamilton's
disclosure Of the existence Of the second pamph-
Jet is the most amazing of the entire series OF
Cabinet revelations by various ministers OF the
crown Nobody now doubts that Mr.. Balfour
was a complete convert to Mr.. Chamberlain's
ideas last summer. and that the two statesmen
have been working together TO the same ends,
Mr. Baifour striving hold the party to-
cether and the missioner of empire dragging
q along into protectiOnist policies. II Lord
George Hamilton be right in asserting that the
Prime Minister wished to put forward, prefer
entail tariffs and food taxes as the official
programme OF the government, neither he
any other free trade minister had any excuse
sor remaining in the Cabinet after the end of
the last session. Mr.. Ritchie has been severely
punished by Mr.. Chamberain's disclosure that
the trouble in the Cabinet began with the
sanction the remission Of the shilling registra-
tion duty grain in favor OF Canada and his
threat 30 resign on the eve Of the Budget
speech unless the tax were taken of altogether
sgainst al countries. Mr.. Chamberlain energies
from the Cabinet revelations with more dig
nifty than his colleagues hut that is saving