New-York tribune., 1903-06-07
NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS.
AFFAIRS IN LONDON.
Political Situation Electric Hith
.Surprise-King Busy.

ss7.caal 70 Tn. New-Yo-k Tribune by French Csole9
fcoprrsrhf: ieos- ~ IN. Tribune Associs'ion9
r,rson Tune s-The safest generalization N
the anomalous political situation is thar the
English people are preserving an open n1ino 10
the questions raised by Mr.. Chamberlain. lrey
neither accept nor reject the vague sno unia'ei-
rigihle proposals. They understand the hscai
svstera 10 which the industries and the business
Interests OF the United Kingdom have peen ao-
1usted for a half century. They 90 NOT Know
what his substitute for Il viii be- ano suspect
that he himself is enanoured Of granoiose loedS
and has not worked our an alternative system in
q husinesslike way, but they are prepared 10
listen a1tentiyely If he VIII explain the precise
advantages which can be hoped for from
changes n the existing conditions Of free trade;
whether they are 10 be increased revenues from
indirect taxation available for the relief OF IN
come taxpayers and social legislation; or the
diminished importation Of foreign manufactures
o- N. substitution Of colonial for foreign food
stuffs: or the expansion Of imperial trade or the
revival Of British and Irish agriculture; or the
recovery Of resources for enforcing commercial
reciprocity hy bargain and by menace and re-
taIiation AL these objects cannot be secured
simultaneously. and the country awaits with
cautious sluggish conservatism full explana-
lions from the shrewdest and cleverest Of states
men
The Liberal politicians unwilling TO allow
Nr Chamberlain time for arranging HIS plans
and discussing the tariff question. Hotspurs like
Nr. Massingharn insist that Mr.. Balfour viii re-
sign Office before the end Of another week, and
that the King will be consulting with Lord
Spencer or Sir Henry Campbell -Bannerman- Nj.
Massingharn has the presence Of mind 10 ex-
clude Lord Rosehery. whom the straight-out
Radicals detest. This result is not impossible
for Sir Michael Hicks Beach is expected 10
speak early in the week and the ministry is d.
vided. apparently hopslessly. and incapable OF
agreeing on any course OF action on Nj. Cham
berlafn's proposals. The Irish members, are
greatly disturbed over the situation, and suspect
that the general elections may he brought on
before the land bin can he enacted. This would
cisappoint the large land owners Of the Govern
1-1ent Ike the Duke Of Devonshire. Lord Lans-
cov-ne and Lord Londonderry. as we'll the
Nationalist leaders and Il Hould involve Irish
support Of Nj Chamberlain in the general cleo
lion for the SAX of The land bill which he him
self had upset after defeating Glsdstonian home
rule. Irish support would not offset the disad-
vantage Of q premature appeal 70 the country
before the new issues were understood or the
case fer fiscal revision had been fairly stated
Neither Mr.. Chamberlain nor Mr.. Balfour can
he anxious 70 force the question Of profit and
loss in international colonial trade upon close
ly calculating nation II shopkeepers. but il is
questionable whether they retreat. even II
they are unprepared 10 stand and fight, and still
more uncertain whether they can keep the min
fstry from falling asunder and hold the party
together. The Kings influence is q powerful re-
source IN reserve for enabling the ministers 10
call halt OF the fiscal question and securing
the enactment Of the land bill
-E,zE soza-
~ than political oratory. even so spirited
fighting speech as Sir Henry Campbell Banner
mans a. Perth. where the cuttlehsh sir1ile was
revived and the Government plea for fiscal re-
construction was converted into application
for liquidation Of the bankrupt Unionist party.
The German press having cues from the Berlin
Foreign Office. has denied Mr.. Chamberlains
charge that Canadian trade has been penalized,
commerce with other British colonies threatened
and the right Of the mother country TO make
preferential arrangements with the colonies con-
tested. The German plea that no exceptional
action has been taken respecting Canada is
udroit and plausible and leaves Nj Chamberlain
free TO assert thst the first effect Of his policy
IS q truce in the warfare Of the fstherland upon
British colonies while his Liberal opponents
convict him on foreign authority Of dtssinnula-
ton and raising a false issue and distorting the
facts
The compliments OF the American press for
1r. Chamberlain have helped him. There is no
evidence either Of bad temper or menaces Of
commercial reprisals by the United States The
equaniuity with which American protectionist
Journals have accepted Nh. Chamberlain's con-
version % their ideas Is guarantee that no dis
rurhance viii he created IN the relations Of the
TWO branches Of the English-spes king race by
the abandonment Of the free trade. cause This
IS matter of the first importance. Neither the
King nor his ministers nor the nation re-
gard with indifference any signs Of GOODNESS on
The part Of America toward England. The visit
81 apt illustration. II has caused hutter Of
-nessiaess in court and government circles as
sn indication q the growing friendliness Of the
United States and Germany. There viii he
feeling Of relief here II the squadron be ordered
% anchor il British waters. where the American
flag can be greeted with fun honors.
The political situation Is fairly electric with
startling surprises. The Unionist party may lie
broken up within fortnight in spite et the
Kings efforts 20 save the land bill and Sir
Henry Campbell -Bsnnerrnan's ardor in support
.ne against its ovn Euthors the free trade
budget of the protecrionisf Government The
country ss whole has remained cold TO Mr.,
Chenberlain's proposals and tie chambers Of
commerce which played an important part in
Nr Cobdens agitation have been silent. The
Spectator" frantic with apprehension. irnplores
Nr Charn berlsin to prevent split OF the Union
.st usYty by abandoning his zollverei i1\iceas as