New-York tribune., 1904-10-09
NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS.
AFFAIRS IN LONDON.
Why the POzcerS Would Accede to
Second Peace Congress.

Especial The Nev-York Tribune by French Cablsl
Copyright; 1904 By The Tribune Associaticn)
London, Oct. s.-Lord Lausdowne's reply 10
the Peace Association does not encourage med
dlesome intervention when mediation has not
been requested by the belligerents. This. how
ever. does not preclude the session of a peace
congress for the discussion Of the rights of neu-
tral commerce and the continuance Of the work
of the first congress The opinion prevails at
The Hague that the powers. great and small
Will find It most difficult 10 decline the invita-
tion TO such congress II President Roose-
welt issues a call after the November election
Japan certainly would promptly accept the in
vitation, since the rights Of neutral commerce
have not been violated by her. The Czar
would determine the action OF Russia and as a
second congress would continue and possibly
complete the work OF his rescript his ac-
ceptance OF The American summons Is highly
probable. The consent OF Russia and Japan viii
bring all the European powers into line Neither
Germany nor France will have a motive for
obstructing another congress at The Hague.
and England will naturally support an Amer
lean attempt to minimize the evils of war and
exempt commerce from disturbance People
are saying here and at The Hague that MI
Roosevelt. II reelected, will have unique re-
sources and prestige for summoning a peace
congress in the interest OF civilization.
The Franco-spanisa agreement respecting
Morocco is regarded here as a protective meas
ure against German diplomacy. What has
been feared by students of the Morocco ques-
tion has been the purchase by Germany OF a
portion OF the Spanish possessions Of Morocco
for the sake Of obtaining a coaling station
This result has been prevented by the agree
ment which secures Spanish rights in that
quarter and binds the Madrid government not
to cede any of it's holdings In Morocco to any
power except France. This arrangement, while
ir line with the Anglo-French agreement
specting Egypt and Morocco, supports Lord
Rosebery's contention that France scored
heavily In the settlement following the entente
cordiale.
Reports that officers of the American Squad
ron resented the coolness Of their reception in
England are unfounded. Admiral Jewell tells
me thai there is discomfort with London
hospitality. and that he has not received in
structions from the Navy Department to de-
cline any public dinners. The squadron ar
rived when the Admiralty was deserted by Off
cials and when there were few naval officers
in London, but ample provision has been made
by Mr.. Choate, the Pilgrims Society and Cap
tain Stockton for the entertainment Of the
Admiral and the officers of the squadron.
DeSplIe lHc IdNOtaDle DulIellIiS, tnere mas Deei
little confidence among medical men that Lady
Curzon will recover. and the tidings of a
lapse have not caused surprise. Lady Curzon
since her marriage has been associated with
Lady Harcourt Mrs. Chamberlain and the
Duchess OF Marlborough as among the most
useful and brilliant American women In Eng
lish society.
Dr. Jameson is starting for the Cape to-day
F,,ti a, Fu4 oP
and impressed with the necessity Of colonial
support for every proposal for an imperial con-
ference Mr.. Chamberlain himself has gone to
italy probably convinced that THE Standard is
wrong IN assuming that Mr.. Balfour has turned
against him and The Spectator is right In de-
caring that the Prime Minister has gone for
ward toward preferential trade and not back
ward toward free trade. The revival of talk
about Lord Rosebery as the next Prime Min
lister is as conspicuous the effort made to
bring forward Sir Charles Wentworth Dixie as
Lord Lansdownes successor in the Foreign
Office and the equally premature movement to
favor the taxation Of land values. which
ceives the powerful support Of the confer
ence of municipal authorities. The Thanet cleo
ton is not a pointer for the fiscal question as
the Unionist candidate was attacked on private
grounds.
The weeks politics offer a contrast between
fiction and fact Mr. Balfour and Mr.. Cham
berlain have each denied sympathy with pro-
lection and have heartily favored an imperial
conference and the free traders are shouting
that each has dehed the other and ended with
surrendering TO the other. and the tariff re-
formers are splitting hairs and assuming that
while there is distinction between the ideas
Of the two statesmen there is no difference be-
tween their ideals. The public cannot be de-
ceived bv subtleties like these. While neither
statesman Is a protectionist In the American
con.inued sixth page