New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-07-05
NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS.
AFF4IRS IN LONDON.
King the Master DipIomatist Mr..
Chamberlain and Irish Land Bill.

Copyright. 1903 BY The Tribune AssociatonD
London. July Mr. Balfour and Lord Lans-
downe remain in office. but the King has become
the master diplomatist for the nation. HIS hand
In the scales of diplomacy has more weight than
that of the greatest minister. When Lord
Lansdowne followed up the inglorious and un
profitable Anglo-German agreement respecting
China with a bold stroke making coalition
with Japan. this exposed France to attack
Srom the British fleet if she should ever join
--ssia il oppressive operations in the Far East,
lne King has substituted the velvet glove for
the menace Of the iron hand. He has the
friendship Of France by proposing an exchange
Of visits with President Loubet, and has not
only dispeled the resentment caused by the
occupation of Egypt and the Fashoda affair,
but has also undermined the alliance with Rus
STA by virtually suggesting that the good will of
England win be more useful than the privilege
Of financing an autocracy.
The importance of the French Presidents
visit next week viii be emphasized with every
possible distinction. The King himself will meet
the President at Victoria Station, after the Brit
ish feet has saluted him at Dover The Presi-
dent win be entertained like a monarch at ST.
James Palace and series Of brilliant func
tons viii attest the sincerity of the English
people in welcoming the era of good feeling
with France. gala performance of the opera,
a state banquet and hall at Buckingham Pal
ace. the Aldershot review. the reception at the
Mansion House and other functions will be con-
Quoted with unwonted splendor and there will
be every indication of national cordiality and
respect for France.
= simultaneously with these proceedings there
viii be another British tribute to republican
institution in which the Kings initiative i'm
pulse is equally conspicuous This is the well
come given to the American squadron return
ing from Kiel. Precedents will be disregarded,
and the squadron, instead of anchoring at Spit
head. like a foreign feet, viii enter the inner
harbor of Portsmouth. and the flagship viii be
locked in Admiralty waters as though the
British flag were over her In addition to the
banquets, balls and junketing at Portsmouth,
thirty officers viii be brought to London the
guests OF the nation TO dine with the King, at
tend a state ball and to be entertained at the
Mansion House and by the First Lord of the
Admiralty. So continuous viii be the festivities
that only two luncheons are reserved for
own countrymen, Ambassador Choate claiming
one and the American Pilgrims the other, con-
jointly with the British Pilgrims.
These republican gala days under the patron
age of British loyalty disclose what is now the
secret motive of the new diplomacy. This is to
unite England, France and the United States
by bonds of friendship and mutual interest In
the Dual Alliance is involved. and the neglect of
German interests is also implied.
The American dispatches relating to President
Roosevelt's insistence upon forwarding to st.
Petersburg. despite the Russian objections. the
protests against the Kishinef massacre are read
here with delight. and the Kings ingenuity in
rivalling the German Emperor's reception to the
American squadron is extoIled. The entangle-
ments of friendly hospitality are more insid-
ous than the entangements of diplomacy,
against which a warning was sounded in Wash
lngton's Farewell Address; but American inter
ests now. then preclude inveterate antipa-
thies TO Germany or Russia, and enjon peace
harmony and good faish with all nations.
The political situation has not been altered by
Lord Rosebery's incisive cross-examination in
Devonshire or by the organization of the Union
Ist free trade group in the House of Commons
Or by Liberal oratory and sarcasms outside
Parliament The open mind remains a good
enough phrase to keep the Cabinet together
until Mr.. Chamberlain comes to a decision on
two points: first, whether there will be a tariff
manufactured goods, and, second how
many shiiIings he viii put upon corn. He is
already receiving the support of good many
commercial bodies. and even workingmens as
sociations; and the pressure of anti-German
feeling and of manufacturers interests is
strongly exerted in favor of a tariff on manu-
featured goods. The tax on corn is the most
perplexing feature of the new programme. MI
Chamberlain is reported TO favor tax of four
shillings per quarter wheat. with reduc-
tons Of duties tea, sugar and tobacco This
would brighten the country and proba bly, lead TO
a stampede of voters to the Liberal side Cool
observers assume that the tax of four shillings
If relaxed in favor of Canada would bring
about speedy negotiations with the United
States for reciprocity, under the pressure from
American farms. but that the colonies would
lose the advantage gained by the preferential
tariff They look for a two-shilling duty on
wheat and general tariff manufactures
without which there can be no safeguard
against German competition The moral for
Americans is plain: Sit tight on the high tariff
fence and re-elect President Roosevelt.
While the Irish Land bill has been in progress
through the House of Commons Mr.. Chamber
lain has been silent and the Nationalists, who
have no reason for liking him. have assumed
that he is secret enemy to the measure and
Indifferent to its fate There are rumors that
he win break silence at the last moment and
take advantage Of some minor clause dealing
with financial conditions as a ground for dis
cussing Irelands interest in proposed fiscal
changes with which he is identified. The motive
for this Intervention. if it occurs. will be OBJ
Viously political. Il viii be an effort to secure
Irish support for the new fiscal policies by prov
ing that Ireland has much to gain as an agri-
cultural country from the taxation Of imported
food. It is doubtful whether the Nationalist re-
sentiment against Mr.. Chamberlain can be al
layed by an appeal Of this kind, yet il is sig
nihcant that the Unionists should consider IL
necessary for him to say something about the
Land bill in order 10 avoid alternating Irish sup