New-York tribune., 1903-01-31
AN ENGLISH BLUNDER.
NINISI'ERS IN n TRAP.
Valid British and Doubtful Ger
man CLAIMS
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man 0f0fWS.
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Downright; 1903 By The Tribune Association
Topdon Ian 81 I a. m.-The current feeling
of optiu1isn respecting the Venezuelan affair Is
not Justified by the facts. The differences De-
tween the powers are serious than the dis
patches from either Berlin or washington re-
veal. 1t suits the purpose of the German EN-
peror to have the official organs announce that
the powers are waiting for satisfactory evidence
respecting the security Offered by Venezuela
and Mr. Beifour and Lord Lansdowne are also
pleased to have the public believe that a settle
ment is simply matter of detail which VIII IN
evitably be worked out. Meanwhile they are
making strenuous efforts to extricate thefn-
selves from the results Of their own follies and
blupders in time for the meeting of Parliament.
A single day may witness g transformation IN
the situation but the signs were not hopeful
yesterday.
The German Emperor is raising difficulties
causing delay and playing fast and loose with
American patience and at the same time is hold
ing the British Government tc the contract
made at Sandringham previously. and Is in
sisting that it must remain in alliance until the
German claims are settled. Mr.. Balfour and
Lord Lansdowne. having made themselves re-
sponsible for the collection Of a job lot of Ger
man claims many of which are tainted with
suspicion and cannot be classed with the Brit
ish claims. are anxiously working in the dark
and trying to patch UP settlement. but
they have not yet succeeded. Inc DOCK
ade would have been suspended long ago
if England had been acting alone The min
listers deliberately tied their hands when
they formed an alliance for the equalization or
valid British claims and speculative German
claims of an entirely different order. AS Sir
Robert Giffen has shown, they formed an anom-
alous partnership which enables Germany to
employ British support for immediate cash pay
ments for unreasonable claims, the prolongation
of q harassing blockade characterized by pro-
vocative assaults and the prevention of
speedy and satisfactory settlement They can
not saddle upon Germany responsibility for the
affronts to the United States involved III these
policies when the alliance has not been repudi-
ated.
Viscount Cranborne the Under Secretary for
Foreign Affairs, speaking at Sheffield last ngh''
did not condemn Germany's action in regard TO
Venezuela Indeed, he was quite shocked by
the recklessness with which irresponsible per-
sons in England had criticised the German
operations without knowing anything about the
subject There was he declared no German
alliance but he admitted that certain arrange
ments had been made with Germany to govern
the common action of the two powers, and they
could not leave their partners In the Iurch' Inc
British action he added, was inspired by q de-
sir, to defend British interests, and the United
States Government was perfectly aware that the
Monroe Doctrine did not justify e South Ameri-
can republic in destroying British ships and
seizing British subjects.
THE National Review" again refers to its IA
nous story about the German Emperor's visit
to an American yacht. 1t says:
The story may ncv be >garded longer
challenged in any competent quarter. 1t is be-
yond all possible doubt that the Kaiser did per
petrate an appalling indiscretion by talking An
glophobia at large in the presence of strangers
and discussing his uncle, our King, in the most
offensive manner. Judging from the conmuni-
cations which have reached us during the last
two months, this incident made deep impress
sion upon our readers. The reason we lay so
much stress upon it is that il affords a conclu-
siye reason why the German Emperor should
not be allowed to occupy the position which he
covets in this country Of being the power be-
hind the throne.
Captain Mahan's article the Monroe Doc
trine Is attracting a good deal of attention. His
declarations that the United States cannot
sert quasi suzerainty over other American
States is not altogether liked. THE Westmin-
ster Gazette considers that the United States
should be responsible for the powers and States
whom she casts cloak. and points to Mr..
Bowen's action as a recognition at all events Of
moral responsibility.
Lord Cromers speech at Khartoum gives
wonderful picture of the work done in the
Soudan during the last five years Thanks
mainly to the British administrators
derful combination of imagination and busi-
ness capacity. the Soudan stands upon the
threshold of a On Lord Cromer's
first visit to the Soudan five years ago.
scarcely a germ of civilization could be said
exist in the country. while to-day khar-
toum is f1ourishing town, and Lord Cromer
now foresees the land covered with network of
railways and transformed into centre of agrt-
cultural and commercial prosperity. i. N f.
NO ALLIANCE, SAYS CRANB0RNE.
London, Jan. 30.-Lord Cranborne Under
ffo;r ing