New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-02-20
4 RED SEA QUESTION.
indian ROUTES DANGER.
Government Nearly Defeated-Re-
uiving the Carlyle ControUersy.

H.
London, Feb 90 1 a. m-Russian reports
that the British Government is threatening TO
seize several Red Sea ports not confirmed
from any official source here. The Kings
speech revealed the existence of important
negotiations with the Turkish Government re-
spectng frontiers in that quarter, ana there Is
evidence that the ministers have been seriously
disturbed by Turkish intrigues and neglect to
fulfil obligations for the control of portions Oh
the coast. 1t is not clear whether Russian as-
gression or the meddlesome activity of Germany
is dreaded but il is certain that officials here
have been more deeply interested in the Red
Sea question than IN the revival Of the Balkan
agitation Macedonia lies outside the line Of
communication with India. Alden and Its ap-
proaches are watch ID with Jealous and anxious
eyes especially when Russian torpedo poats
have been making experimental runs through
the Dardaneles A Russian coalfng station on
the way to India would be dangerously placed.
The government narrowly escaped oefeat III
the Commons last night. Mr.. Lambert moved
an amendment to the address, drawing atteil-
ton to the non-prosecution of the directors OF
the London and Globe Finance Corporation. He
suggested that the prosecution had been WIN
held because titled persons were connected with
the affairs OF the corporation. and he READ out
a list of titled names in support OF his argu-
ment. This suggestion was repudiated with
much vehemence by the Attorney General and
Solicitor General but their contention that
nothing could be done In the matter deeply
offended members both sides OF the House
It was evident that the set of opinion was very
strongly against the line which the law officers
Of the Crown had taken. At a critical juncture,
when defeat of the government seemed certain,
Mr.. Balfour INTERVIEWED and By promise Of I'M
mediate legislation to cover future cases of a
similar character he saved the situation, and
the government emerged from the division with
a majority Of fffty-one.
The cross-examination OF the ministers did
not start off well. The earliest questions re-
speeding the Guards scandal and Colonel Kin
loch's resignation. have missed fire. Colonel
Kinlochs friends may have received assurances
that he VIII be reinstated and relieved from the
payment of an annual fine Of 1900 for the
mainder of his life Tor neglecting to prevent or
punish Raging among the Grenadiers NJ:
Brodrck can hardly avoid answering direct
questions respecting the prevalence Of public
school methods of discipline and torture among
the officers of the society regiments. There is a
strong group of young Tories lying IN ambus-
cade for the unpopular War Minister, and pre-
pared to expose the uselessness of the expensive
scheme Of army reorganization. Mr.. Norman
closely respecting the Venezuela affair. and OBJ
tanned full confirmation OF the generally &C
cepted opinion that the first definite proposals
for Joint action came from Germany. Questions
relating to the precise dates and nature or the
consultations with the State Department are
fired with blank cartridges. The answers from
the Foreign Office naturally based upon
documentary evidence. but the bulk of the
diplomatic negotiations is conducted verbally
The Hague correspondent of The Daily Tele-
graph learns that in court circles 1t is regarded
as most unlikely that Queen Wrhelmina will
consent to act as arbitrator In questions arising
out Of the Venezuelan conflict.
The publication of the letters and memorials
OF Jane Welsh Carlyle will revive the contro
versy over Froude's fairness as A biographeT
and literary executor Those interested in
bringing to light the suppressed letters are al
ready asserting that Froude distorted the facts
and withheld phrases and passages III the let
ters and journals in order to prove that Carlyle
neglected and i'll treated his wife and that their
domestic life involved mutual torture. Several Of
these garbled passages will appear in the now
volume. with context and with letters indicating
that the real Carlyle vas unlike the portrait
painted by his biographer ard literary executor.
Alexander Carlyle. nephew of the philosopher is
mainly responsible Tor this belated attempt TO
obtain a complete vindication for the husband
at the expense of the wife and Mr.. Froude
The marriage of the Lord Advocates son,
Ronald Murray, with Eva Baird. daughter of q
Scotch baronet, attracted large and fashion
able assembage to St Georges, Hanover
Square yesterday. Among the presents dis
played al the reception in Berkeley Square were
the Kings cigarette and match boxes the Prime
Minister'S enameled and jeWelled silver box
and the Duke of ArgyIe's antique bureau
It is understood in shipping circles here that
about the middle OF April new fortnightly
steamship service viii be inaugurated between
Montreal and Rotterdam by the Canadian ocean
and inland line. Three specially designed lake
steamers are now being built In Great Britain
in connection with this transatlantic service.
Their mission will be to feed the ocean steamers
at Montreal with grain and produce from the
Canadian interior. l. N L.