New-York tribune., 1903-04-20
FOOD SUPPLY.
COMMISSION OF INQUIRY.
Hisbmeu in a Happy Frame OF
Wind-FinanciQL.
Cs7soial TO me New-Torz Tribune by French caoio'

fs-soiai 70 ne New-Eorz Tribune by French Csple)
lCopyrsht: 1903: BY The Tribune Assocat!on)
London. April 20. 1 a. ma royal commits
sion has been appointed to consider the desira-
bility OF adopting measures in addition 10 the
maintenance Of a strong feet by which Great
Brirzin's supplies Of food can be better Sc
cured. The movement which has led to the ap-
pointn7ent Of this commission began in 1895
but II was not until the beginning Of the pres
eut year that It became at all vigorous and in
Iuenrtsl TWO representative meetings were
held IN London recently with the object OF draw
ing pubIic attention TO the fact that war with
2 great power would endanger the nations
food supply. A deputation which was appointed
70 wait on the Prime Minister insisted that If
war we're 10 break out the people Of this country
would 10 say the least Of it, be driven 10 the
di-est straits and Mr. Balfour, although he did
not take Z pessmistic view Of the matter,
thought a good reason had been shown for
holding an Official inquiry into the subject
The Prince Of Wales takes as much interest in
the question Of the nations food supply as the
King does in London's housing problem. and
his inclusion IN the list cf commissioners gives
every satisfaction. especially TO those who have
not forgotten his famous GuildhaT speech on
his return from his colonial tour and the warn
ing that woke up England.
Irish and English newspapers alike agree in
declaring that the past week has been the
greatest in Ireland's history both from social
and political points Of view, for quite num-
ber OF years. The Industrial Conference was not
so important as the National Convention, but 1t
had its own significance. Organized primarily
ayv the Nationalists, it was supported by all the
leading Unionists in the country Ireland is at
last TO large extent, united Irishmen OF all
creeds. classes and parties have come to recog-
rize that there are, after all, Irish questions Oh
common interest. The Nationalist members VIII
return TO their Parliamentary duties IN a par
ticularIy happy frame Of mind. Mr. Redmond
talks Of the National Convention as the great
est gathering of Irish1nen he has ever seen in
his long experience in Irish politics. II the
eo,-ernr,enr he ga7rs has the wisdom TO carry
o,,+ substantially the recommendations or the
convention the passing Of the Gand bill VIII
mean the settlement OF the Irish land question
and that he adds. undoubtedly VIII mean
the concession in the immediate future OF
systern Of national self-governnent for ireland
As the time approaches for the issue Of the
new Transvaal loan interest IN the matter
grows The stock Exchange IS speculating on
the 2 per cent loan at about 80. but nothing
Official IS vet known as TO the actual terms OF
the issue. The impression IS gaining ground
that the successful fotation of the loan VIII
materially help TO strengthen the consois mar
ket
= &c -,-ser-,e5 in Berlin that IL the Canadian
tariff PROPOSALS become law the German Gov
eminent viii at once obtain authority from
the Reichstag TO apply special prohipltorv
tariff on all imports from Canada Inc Nd
tsoral Zeitung" observes that the quesIioH
raised tv Canada is one Of great slgnlnc'Alce
and must be streuuously fought out any mann
festation OF weakness in dealing with IL on 'he
part Of Germany would, ii thinks, act as an en-
courager7ent 70 other British colonies especla1y
Australia TO follow the Canadian leau' anu
that is an eventuaIity which Germany must
seek TO prevent at aIl hazards The Asrarlah
organs Of the German press declare that the
British Government IS the real author OF
Csnada's behavior toward Germany, and they
advise retaliatory measures against 0rea'
Britain.
The Daily Telegraph calculates that the
total gross liabilities Of the United Kingdom
amount 70 sso0oo0eOO This compares with
1895 100000 in March. 1899, so that the boer
War may be said to have aaded Iio'0V''
the British national debt
ARRANGEMENTS are said to have peeh coiii-
pleted between two leading English banking
houses and 2 powerful New-York fnanciaI
gro,n for introducing TO the international pun
lie issues Of developed and DIVIDEND paying
mining nronerttes. The object Of the new cor
poration will il is stated. be to make reoOs-
u.zed market for mines in New-York and there
by place mining securities of the United states
On a corresponding level to that "hicn
occupy here.