New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-10-30
NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS.
AFFAIRS IN LONDON.
War Scare Blessing Without Dis
gIise for Prime Minister.
cspsssal 70 The NoW-Eork Trlsuae by French Gable,

sng a ooncordat OF some kind between the tariff
TefoTmers and the free fooders at representative
conference Of the Unionist party, but when the
hour for the Southampton speech came fsctionel
strife was Overshadowed by the crisis in inter
national relations, and his followers did not want
70 hear about the fiscal question. but about the
issues OF peace and war. He released from
the exigences OF party politics and left at liberty
70 play with the Chamberlain question without
revising his Edinburgh speech. Mr. Chaplin's
aTtful resolution. based upon the Prime Min
1sters phrases, was adopted by the party coun-
cl without serious resistance from the free
traders and the tariff reforners had every
reason for satisfaction in controlling the au-
fhoritative Unionist caucus. They expect defeat
a. the general election. but are bent upon having
the Opposition in the next Parliament united
on the tariff question with not more than half
G dozen free trade Uaionists They expect TO
carry AIr. Balfour with them, and TO return
ultimately 10 power with him there
The party questions over which the politicians
have been Intriguing for weeks were forgotten
when MI Balfour rose at Southampton to ex-
plain that the nat.on had been on the verge Of
war the previous night. but that peace had been
made that morning by timely Russian sur
render AS he spoke he excited tumultuous
enthusiasm, for the truth was revealed that be
had acted like a great Prime Minister with
Strength, dignity and courage, and had not only
given the nation peace with honor. but taught
the Wogld an object lesson in the defence Of
neutral rights. Russia had been allowed TO
ssve her face by consenting 10 an inquiry based
upon the Hague arbitration principle. but the
surrender was complete without being humil-
3ating.
The feet delivered from attack by the Channel
squadron has q temporary harbor OF refuge at
vigo ard viii probably return to the Baltic
ss soon as the tdings are received Of the fan
o. Port Arthur. The main object Of the inquiry
for which French mediation has opened the way
IS apparently the discovery Of the sources Of
the Russian admiraTs hallucinations The Car.
while acting Ike sincere peaoemaker could
not be expected to throw over his own admiral
without official inquiry especially as the mystery
Of the fantastic battle OF the Dogger Bank has
not yet been cleared UP. one and possibly two
unknown vessels having been reported by
Swedish and German craft as bombarded and
sinking. The cruise Of the Baltic feet has shown
how easily abuse Of belligerent rights may
involve the terrible risks Of war for the de-
fence O. neutral commerce. II enforces the
moral that the new Peace Congress is urgently
needed in order 70 provide international guar
EHtee for the security OF private property at
sea a. Tar tine and 70 prohibit wanton at
requires is Tot the unprecedented act Of policing
the seas by the Channel fleet, involving
declaration OF war. but another conference at
The Hague with President Roosevelt's prestige
behind it. magnihed by his triumphant re-
election.
The halfpenny press has been making a new
record in circulation this week. Time limits had
been set. ultiratun-s issued and reprisals by the
RepFe
ing until Friday, and with no authoritative state
Enent by the government Of its policy. With the
enterprise Of cheap journalism so remarkable. it
was strange that the Stock Exchange was not
anected before Thursday, and even then there
vas unessness rather than panic. and the slump
H. prices on Friday was caused as much by
speculative dealings On the forecasts Of Mr.. Bal
four's Southampton speech as by apprehension
of war While the newspapers have been sell
ing oriskly the national conduct has been ad-
mrshly cool. as always in crisis in foreign
relations IL has been q united nation without a
note Of dissent from the demand for full repara-
tion from Russia for the act Of war in the North
Sea. The Opposition leaders have been as strong
and uncompronlising as the Ministers them
selves in ccndemning the lawIess warfare of the
Russian feet upon neutral commerce.
The Rus5ian government had not the slightest
per when the nation. by her Ministers. present
and future. and by the press Of all parties.
spoke as one man.
The hnanciers were not impressed at the out
get by The seriousness Of the affair. The con-
Duct CT the Russian feet was SO clearly un-
Warrancable that full redress was considered
foregone conclusion. II was rot until Lord
sebcrRe emphasized at the Pilgrims dinner to
the American sqUa dron the necessity for punish
merit Of the guilty officers a safeguard
against the recurrence Of the outrages that
fears were excited On the Street lest the British
government might present demands which the
Cars advisers would regard an affront TO
The imperial sovereignty and dangerous i'm
passe would be created with France, committed
b. the terms Of the secret alliance to support
Russia. These considerations exercised sober
ing irhuenoe upon the press comments on the
Russian sdmirals amazing report Of the opera
tons OF Flying Dutchman torpedo craft and
irresponsible cruisers. during which vessels un-
der four flags were fired upon. The excitement
- London was intense On Friday while the re-
DoTt Of the Southampton speech was being
awaited. but confidence was everywhere felt in
9ar. Balfour's coolness and sound judgment. ana
lie repeated conferences Of the French Aunbas-
ssdor with Lord Lansdowne were regarded as a
hopeful promise Of mediation az the last moment
Among tae gravest signs were the dispatches
ron Russia Indicating that wsr with England
would be welcomed. The tidings that LoFo
seresfo!d's feet had sailed caused general salts
faction. but nobody could explain how he could
hold Up The Russian feet without firing upon II
The publishers are groaaing over the disturb
ance o. the holiday book trade by alarums ana
excursions OF war, especially men Ike MI
Heinemann who are issuing immense editions