New-York tribune., 1903-02-02
MAHAN AND MONROE.
IN UNPOPULAR OPINION.
The B11tOns Dislike DiSaOo7cai Of
RcSpOnsibiitM

Especial 70 The Nsy-Yorli Tribune by French Cable)
tCcoyricht: 1898 The Tribune Association9
London. Feb - l a n.-England does not ike
Captain Mahan's definition of the Monroe Doc
trine- All the newspapers which have published
editorial comments upon it consider that pro-
tection of the weaker American nations should
he accepted by the United States entailing
an obligation TO compel them to observe such
duties toward the European powers as the
United States itself recognizes. Captain Mahan
distinctly says that the United States will not
and does not accept the burden of American
responsibility. II is taken for granted that Cap
tain Mahan speaks for both political parties in
the United States: that his utterance is more
or less official and that it is not given to the
world except after a full verification. The arti-
Gle consequently caused little uneasiness. es-
pecially in view Of its bearing on what Lord
CranboTne calls the Venezuelan mess" Eng
land. however, has cordially accepted the broad
principle Of the Monroe Doctrine. and there is
little danger of quarrel between the two great
Anglo-Saxon peoples over its exact interpreta-
tion.
Il is understood that, at the visit of private
deputaticn Of North of England shippers and
Others interested in the Cuban trade to Lord
Lansdowne last week. the Foreign Secretary en-
tertained the representations made TO him most
favorably. The deputation asked the British
Government to use its influence with the United
States 10 get the treaty modified Lord Lans
doWne sfgnihed that something of the sort
should be done, and it seems probable that in
srructions viii be sent to the British Ambassa-
dor at Washington TO place the matter before
the State Department Whether such a meas
ure viii have any great effect remains TO be
seen Meanwhile, official returns show a large
decrease in trade between Great Britain and
Cuba.
The Daily Mail" says to-day that the more
the British nation struggles TO escape from the
German alliance and the Venezuelan imbroglio
the more irratrievably and inextricably is it in
volved. that there are obvious reasons why
Germany should seek TO Protract the quarrel to
the utmost possible limit, and that she now SO
controls British policy that all the renon-
strances of the English press appear to be futile
In some quarters serious complications are
feared result of the rejection OF MT
Boven's scheme. It is curious that while Lord
Cranborne'5 speech has been roundly con-
demned in this country it has given immense
satisfaction at Berlin as showing the friendli-
ness of the British Government. The British
press. il is said, may write against Germany
and Irresponsible politicians may make speeches.
hut so long as the government is friendly it
does not much matter The German press
ignores altogether public opinion in England
The King and Queen to-day visit the Duke
and Duchess of Devonshire at Chatsworth
There is proba bly, no other house in the United
Kingdom where royalty be received with so
little trouble or preparation, inasmuch as COM
flete set Of magnificent state apartments is
kept for this very purpose. Much Of the furni-
ture at Chatsworth is Of exceptional interest,
and came 10 the former Dukes Of Devonshire as
gifts or pereuisites of Office. Thus. the state
bed is that in which George II died, and the
chairs and footstools served at the coronation
Of George III, while the state music room con-
tains magnificent chairs used at the coronation
Of William ".
The imperial commission to which is intrust-
q the representation of German interests at
the s.. Louis Exposition aas been hard work in
the last week. DR.. Lewald. the Imperial Com
missioner. has made arrangements tC send in
yitations to eight thousand German firms and
among exhibitors will figur the Prussian State,
showing the condition Of the Prussian educa-
tional system in all branches.
4 matter which is now engaging the earnest
attention Of the British Board Of Trade is the
question Of improving the consular service and
the system under which British commercial at
tries This is understood 10 be the first move
in an attempt 10 bring the VS. public sys-
TEN relating TO trade and commerce more in ac-
cord with the wishes and interests Of business
men generally. Evidently the cry for minister
OF commerce is beginning 10 bear fruit
L ". F.