New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-13
NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS.
.dFF.fIRS IN LONDON.
Far East CTisis-King's Interest in
DipIOmacy-Spencer Tributes.

Tribune French
Copyright: Ieos: By The Tribune Association.D
London. Dec. 12-The crisis IN the Far East
IS stil enveloped in mystery. but the out
look for peace is more hopeful The Kat
sura Cabinet, which has upheld strenuous
ly the rights OF Japan in Corea, has
been condemned by the Lower House Of the
Diet as opportunist when aggressive conduct
was required in dealing with Russia. This Is
a sign that the Japanese are eager to fight and
reckless IN encouraging the ministers to bring
on w1r without delay The vote OF censure
has been followed quickly by the dissolution or
the Diet. and this political complication in an
Oriental country which has imperfectly as
asnilsted the principles Of constitutional gov
eminent viii cause delay and facilitate a diplo-
matte settlement Various versions OF the Rus
stan concessions respecting Corea and Man
churia are published from Berlin, Paris and ST.
Petersburg, but II is probable that the nego-
tiations have not reached a final stage. Both
the japanese Ministry and the Russian gov
eminent have gained time and have been re-
leased from the urgent necessity OF immediate
action A fresh relay OF time means peace
when the Car abhors war and the Katsura
Cabinet shrinks from decisive measures OF ag
gression. The stock exchanges which are the
best bsrometers of Europe. do not indicate un-
settled weather.
The British Foreign Once is taking ac-
tive interest in the Macedonian, Thibetan and
Manchurian questions and is exerting strong
influence in opposition to Russian intrigues and
duplicity King Edward by bringing about
cordial relations with France and Italy. has
strongly reinforced the Foreign Once. and con-
tinues 10 take an active interest IN Lord Lans-
downe's diplomacy. The trend Of that diplo-
macy is now markedly anti-Russian, and the
Central Asian intrigues will be counteracted
by the British understanding with France and
the increased pressure upon Austria TO con-
sent to new methods of enforcing reforms in
the Balkan States Little is said about German
diplomacy in the Near East or the Far East,
but the Kaiser while worried about his health,
has not ceased TO he the ablest sovereign In
Europe The theory in diplomatic circles is
that he is bent upon strengthening the Sui
tan's hands and holding the balance Of power
at Constantinople, while allowing Russia lib
erty OF action in Central Asia and the Far
East and obtaining her consent in advance to
the absorption Of Denmark and Holland IN the
Fatherland. which is the main object OF
German statecraft. The German Emperor S
health is the subject Of alarnist dispatches in
the sensational press eager TO obtain catch
penny headlines. With his hereditary ten
denotes TO cancer. the pessmism is natural, and
the correspondents who have access to re-
ministers
coached by medical experts and enabled to dis
ouss symptoms and diagnose morbid conditions
The Kaiser's convalescence IS more protracted
and less satisfactory than the surgeons had
hoped but the gloomy forebodings OF the sud
den failure OF his health and the close OF a
brilliant career are the outcome Of irresponsible
gossip.
American political affairs have fallen into the
background here Presidential messages and
Congressional proceedings passing without OBJ
servation Mr. Roosevelt's denomination is re-
garded by the political observers here as a
natural sequel to his unique personality and
Secretary Hays resolute conduct in foreign at
fairs. THE Saturday Review" true to perverse
traditions, sneers at what IL calls the Yankee
shuttle" which has accompanied the proclama
ton OF virtue and righteousness in the Panama
affair but II does not represent English opinion
American financial affairs are closely FOLLOWED
in the Street where the opinion prevails tha
the process Of liquidation involved by overcap
ttalfzation and speculative enterprises has beer
nearly completed and that the stringency can
not last much longer nor large amounts Of golC
be drawn from Europe.
The exaggerated accounts Of the Queens peri
at the Sandringham fire have been followed b!
critical Investigations Of the cause of the out
break The theory that the fire originated from
the fusion of electric wires has been dismissed
and the truth ascertained that the concrete be-
under the stove in Miss Knollyss room was no
OF sufficient thickness. and that the heavy bean
under II slowly smouldered and finally burs
into fame over the Queens bedroom The stow
had recently been set up. but the rooms ha
been lined with asbestos and protected in man,
ways against fire for many years, the KIM
having given special orders that every precau
ton should be taken
The hscal debaters are still talking them
selves out. but the country shows signs o
apathy and is waiting for the results Of tn
by-elections The Unionist candidates in Lewis
ham and Dulwich are reproached for webbing
in starting out as wholehearted followers O
Mr.. Chamberlain and falling back upon the re
taliation fence IN a state of panic. Their EN-
barrassments in dealing with the uncompro
missing protectionist and obstinate free fooder
warn the Unionist whips and members OF Parlia
nlent that the general elections must be de
ferred long as possible and Irish support Sc
cured at any price, even If the Roman Catho
lie University bill embitters the hostility of tn
free churchmen and the government is brough
within easy distance of Mr.. Gladstone's hom'
rule scheme. Mr.. Balfour by hating half wa!
on the road to preferential tariffs and protec
ton OF the home market, has made it imprac
ticabe for the Unionist candidates to meet thei
constituencies with dignity. He sacrificed con
sistency, logic. principles and everything fo
the sake OF keeping the Duke OF Devonshire II
the government and then lost him
Herbert Spencers death has been followed b,
the most thoughtful series of tributes and Gu
logies which have appeared in print for a Ion,
period. The judgments upon the spenceriar