New-York tribune., 1903-03-08
NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS.
1FFATRS IN LONDON.
lstagnation in Diplomacy and PoE-
tics-Lassitude in Parliament.

EpecIsI 70 The New-York Tribune sy French Cabiel
Copyright: 1903: BY The Tribune Assoeistiun)
Lobdon. March IA Etagnant week in d.
Elonaey and politics is brought 70 close with
xhe Icrd Mayors dinner to the metropolitan
Members Of Parliament and the meeting Of the
English Church Union In condemnation Of the
Church Discipline bill. The lass. de Of Parlia-
neut has never beer more apparent. The Lords
are so stale that even the gallery, crowded with
peeresses, does not inspire them with capacity
for debate. aad unless LORD Rosebery speaks
there IS no interest in the proceedings. Oostruc-
tion has been suspended by common consent In
the Commons, but there is a paralysis OF lesls-
lative functions from the lack OF political IN
e,ntive and personal ambition. The ground mas
been cleared for work. but the Ministers have not
q single measure in readiness and the House Is
counted out because there Is nothing to 90. 4he
Prime Minister finds leisure for addressing the
British and Foreign Bible Society, and e&Plalh-
ing that religion rather than science is respon-
sibIe for its worldwide operations and success.
Sir Henry CampbeIl-Bsnnerman heads but does
not lead, the opposition. The Irish members
holding themselves in reserve for favors to
come. are on their good behavior. Parliament
was never dUlIer.
Foreign affairs are equally barren. The Mac
edouiau question is in the same stage Of de-
ceptive inaction as the Bulgarian question was
q few months before the war between Russia
and Turkey. The Sultan had made solemn
promises then and so he has done now There
is a transition period during which the world
waits and agitators intrigue and the forces and
tendencies Of racial ambition and Jealousy are
silently operating. There are vague rurnors OF
an anti-Europeau plot in China, but there is no
better foundation for them than the suspicion
excited by unwonted friendIiness Of the En-
German Emperor's ulterior aims in Brazil have
been discussed by some English journals with
asperity, and ths formation Of an economic
league on the Continent against the United
States is forecast by dreamy writers. A general
xoIIverein against the United States is as vis-
Sonary as the imperial zollverein which Mr..
Chamberlain vaguely proposed few years ago
Even the proposal OF the British Government
to establish a naval station on the north coast
has passed almost without observation in Ger
many.
Hardly anything makes a ripple on the stag
rsaut surface Of foreign affairs. There has been
some talk in the smoking rooms Of London
clubs about this station a menace to Ger
many. and Nj. BroGrick's curt method Of dis
missing the Guards scandal has also excited
comment. No event in either diplomacy or poll
tics has competed with the curious Cavendish-
Panchette case, involving the neither side Of
-spiritUaHsm a live topic Of conversation.
Sir Charles wyndham's new theatre is con-
structed on the cantiever principle so that there
are no columns TO interfere with the view or
the stage from any part Of the house. It ought to
be popular West End theatre, for the Louis
Seize decorations in white and gold will favor
the display Of ladies' costumes. The royal box
is connected with q daintily furnished Kings
Room, and the orchestra stalls and dress circle
seats are sumptuously upholstered in Auousson
tapestry. It Is the handsomest theatre in Lon
don. Rosemary" will be the opening play this
week.
Henry. Arthur Jones and Arthur Bourchier
have succeeded in making themselves the
laughing stock Of the town by the excluding