New-York tribune., 1904-08-14
NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS.
AFFAIRS IN LONDON.
EngLsh Blood in Russian Heir-Sea
Po4cer Greatest War Force.

cspssisl 70 The New-york Tribune by French CsSls)
Copyright; 1905: By -hs Tribune Asnociaton.)
London. Aug 1S.-The British congratulations
an the birth of an heir to the Russian throne
are sincere. There is a strain Of English blood
N the Grazd Duke Alexis. for hN is & great
,,yzndchild Of Queen Victoria apS his mother is
T1ag Edwards niece. The relationship of the
two relguing houses !s less important in English
eyes than the fortunes of monarchy, when the
Austrian. Spanish Dutch and other royal lines
IN :he Continent ars weilaigh exhausted, and
the Grand Duke Michael. the heir presumptive
10 the Russian throne. lacks the qualities Of a
raocessful ruler. The birth of prince with
English and German well Russian and
Danish blood Is considered a great gain for
;nonsrchical principles The cycle Of Russian
lniEfortunes moreover. IS so complete. with Gen
eFal Kuropatkin defeated, the armies half sur
rounded. with the doom of Port Arthur sealed
ara with the feet shattered and dispersed that
the writer's for the press snatch at a chance Of
expressing good wishes for the child of hope
born ST q moment OF unexampled gloom. sorrow
and despair
There must also be 4 source of British salts
faction in the contrast between the prestige and
prosperity of the United Kingdom and the dis.
Hsters and Generalization of Russia While
she Car is guarded by a strong garrison at
Feterhof and has not yet recovered from the
shock caused by the assassination of NJ
Plehve. Kirg Edward is enjoying restful holi-
ssv st Marienbad, and is going about unat-
tended among 3ostling crowds. British influence
in Continental capitals has never been higher
than to-day, and this revival OF power and au-
ibority since The Boer war is due in a large
yneasure TO the Kings diplomacy. The business
Of the empire is also prospering. when the Tibet
expedition has ended safely and the nation is
receiving compliments from Germany on her
success IN managing hazardous expeditions
There may not be much money about and
,rspsrtal federation may be considered a less
urgent problem by Free Traders than the main
ssnsuce Of unrestricted imports OF foodstuffs
end the cheapening Of fam for the breakfast
table, but the empire is not breaking up this
vear. and sea power, shown by the effective
rnannuvres Of the British squadrons, as well as
by Admiral Togo's invincibe battle line is the
greatest force IN modern warfare. The latest
6etaIls of the naval engagement off Port Ar
thur indicate that the japanese admiral con-
csntrated his efforts against the Russian battle
ships and succeeded in driving them back into
port.
There is intense eagerness among naval off,
GERS here TO obtain full and impartial account
OF the greatest naval battle since that at San
tizgo The opinion prevails that Admiral Togo
Is more cautious than q British admiral would
be IN similar conditions. and that The slight
losses sustained on the japanese side are due
TO his precautions IN keeping the big ships in
the background and forcing the fighting with
torpedo craft. The escape Of four cruisers and
three or more torpedo destroyers to Chinese and
German por1s raises a troublesome question Of
neutrality law The japanese government clearly
must -epuoiate the capture OF the Ryeshiteini
at Che-Foo since Il was q wanton act OF war
in neutral port. The Japanese have been so
scrupulous in respecting neutral rights that
ample amends may be expected for this inde-
fensible act The Askold may leave Woo-Sung
after coaling and repairs. the Novik is re-
ported n have sailed from Kiao-Chau. The
other Russian vessels probably will be disarmed
by the German officials.
The Foreign Office and the State Department
are not cooperating in defence Of neutral trade
but are using similar arguments and phrases
and protesting against the same breaches Of
International Law. Lord Lansdowne's state
ment that the British government objected
strongly 10 the Russian definition OF contraband
Of war when hostilities began might properly
have been made months ago. 1t is not yet
clear that the Foreign Office protested against
the Russian adrnirslry's instructions TO naval
officers empowering them 70 destroy neutral
ships when II vas dangerous or inconvenient
20 take them into port as prizes, or that the
Cars government has been warned that de-
csions Of prize courts that are at variance with
the accepted principles OF international law will
not Be recognized valid. Mr. Balfour is credited
with vigorous measures in defence Of the rights
OF neutrais, and IL is assumed that the Rus
sian admiralty has already modified its instruc-
TONS and that no more neutral vessels will
be destroyed. II remains true that German
ships carrying unmolested TO japan goods
which British ship owners do not venture 10
take under the national hsg
Ex-Judge Psrkers speech OF acceptance
pieases the English Free Traders since IT de-
nounees the existing tariff. It also disappoints
them, since il contains 2 confession that no
tariff legislation can be effected by the Demo-
Gratis for four years with the Senate strongly
Republican. The English tariff reformers con-
sicer President Roosevelt's reciprocity pro-
posais more practicable than ex-Judge Parker's
stock phrases about trusts being stimulated by
excessive tariffs. They forecast the application
Of Mckinley principles in President Roosevelt's
second term, with larger markets abroad, espe-
daiiy IN Canada, without loss to American In
ouSriy and labor al home
Mr Chamberlain's followers admit that the