Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-20
STRIFE AND INTRIGUE
Russian Authority in London
Talks of War.
PICKERING OFFICIALS
C0BDEN's CENTENARY MADE Ma
TIoNAL DEMONSTRATION.
English Counties Show Appreciation
of Honors-New Problem Play
King Peters Bid.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star


LONDON, June 8, 1904.
Russian authority who possesses spe-
cial knowledge Of the army transport de-
partment, and who has just arrived here
from st. Petersburg. has given me, in the
cou1 Use of conversation, very vivid picture
of the strife and intrigue which are just
now prevailing in Russian court and gov
eminent circles in connection with the war
in the far east. According to my informant.
there is constant pickering at both ends Of
their one line of communication-inS ST. Pc
tersburg, as well as at Mukden-and that,
though Gen. Kuropatkin has up to now
been able to Withstand the very powerful
court interests in favor Of Admiral Alex
Jeff it is uncertain how long he can do so.
But" my informant added, ut IL chiefly
in connection with our transport and sup
plies that we find our difficulty: and no one
now recognizes more clearly than Prince
Khilkoh the minister Of ways and COM
municatons, that the Siberian railway.
though promising SO much from peaceful
commercial standpoint, Is altogether un-
equal to the demands Of war. It has been
officially stated that we have been dis
patching 1000 men daily to the front since
March. If that were so. we should have,
with the trops previously there, over half
a million in the far east by this time; but.
as a matter Of fact, l know that for
many days together we have not sent more
than one train forward with transport rep
resenting from $50 to $50 men,"
1t is stated upon excellent authority that
an autograph letter has just reached the
king from the tsar, In which his imperial
majesty deals at length with the Russo
Japanese war.
III 1a%<a to (ya 70 hot rrh fNh
Charles Hardinge presented to his majesty
on behalf of the king when presenting his
credentials as the new British ambassador
in St. Petersburg ten days ago, and am
told that 1t Is evident. from some OK the
contents which have been allowed to trans
pire, that both the tsar and tsartna are ter
ribly distressed. not only at the Russian
reverses but at their own comparative I'M
potence to put an end to hostilities. The
letter I am further informed, is not only
one calling for sympathy. but for advice
at a time which Is evidently recognized by
the tsar and his consort as one OF the most
critical in Russia's history.
In Memory of Golden.
Mr.. Chamberlain has unwittingly done a
great service to the memory OF Richard
Golden In ordinary circumstances the
centenary Of the great free traders BIRTH
day would have passed with comparatively
little notice, but Mr.. Chamberlain's at
tempt to revive protection has converted
the celebration of Cobden's centenary into
a great national demonstration. Some
seventy meetings were held all over the
country on Friday or Saturday In honor OF
the memory of Golden. Apart from MT.
Gladstone there is no modern statesman 10
whom such tribute would have been pald,
and even in Cobden's case 1t would nave
been difficult to rouse the necessary en-
thusiasm had not Mr.. chamberlain sup
piled a great stimulus. ,,s
IT, ,rincineJ London meeting was held
at the Alexandra Park on Saturday az
ternoon The Grand Hail. capaple as ~ 40
Of holding 10000 people, could not coh'alil
the thousands who assembled. A .S a ons
NJ Villfers Golden, Bright, Peel ana Nlau.
stone and among the notices Wnlch nie :
the eve we're Free Trade ForeVer anu NC
good old watchworo OIL Teaee'
ment and Reform
cayara1 Of the English counties haVe
taken steps to show their appreciation VI
having a warship bearing the name or their
shire Kent having led the way, ana the
most recent cases where action mas oeeh
,aLsn are in Lancashire and Monmouth IN
hath instances the lord lieutenant OF the
county has invited subscriptions, ana "hiie
Monmouth. like some of the other countess
will present the ship with silver plate Lam
caster has ascertained from the captain
that a silver ships bell would be most &C
ceptable. This is in accordance with an oio
custom as 1t was in past centuries quite
common for a we'll wisher to provide the
hell and 1t was not infrequently consecrat-
ed nv religious rites. There Is BERWICK,
an Argyle and a Roxburgh Approaching
completion for The navy, ana tne ilha w,
tants of these counties will probably toi-
low suit .., =.
King Peter of Servia, In view OF
his approaching coronation Is extremely
anxious to put an end TO the poyco.. ~
which he has been subjected by his brother
soyereigns since his accession he mas al
dressed note to the powers informing
them Of the arrangements contemplated iot
his coronation, and expressing the nope
that thew will before that date resume
diplomatic relations with his state. AZ
present there are no Servian ministers IN
either London. Paris Berlin or vienna a
special mission will also be dispatched 70
the courts OF Europe praying the various
oovernments to be represented at least at
King Peters coronation. Without sucn
representation the event would be deprived
of ANYTHING but local Importance.
new problem play from the pen OF the
wife OF a cabinet minister necessarily at
tracts attention In other than theatrical
circles, and for the first performance last
night by Mrs Patrick Campbelfs company
of the Hon Mrs. Alfred Lyttelton's warp
ana Woor' the Camden Theater was filled
with an audience very different from that
which generally occupies its boxes and
stalls. 1t seems indeed, almost pity that
the play was not first performed in the
West End. for the work girls OF Camden
town. who probably have no objection to
putting in a bit of overtime, and who would
certainly think nothing of sitting up to
trim a bank holiday hat, are unlikely to be
50 deeply touched as the soft-hearted
among the wealthy by the wrongs of over
worked seamstresses in fashionable dress
making establishments.
The Coliseum which ia just being erect
ed here close to Charing Gross, will be the
first place of entertainment, in London, at
st to be fitted with lifts for the use OF
the public. The architect has invented an
Ingenious contrivance by means of which
the danger Of the lift shaft acting as a
furnace fue in the event OF fire Is avoided
for the lift as 1t leaves each floor automati-
cally seals the shaft.
The dispersal of the collection of silver
and silver-gilt belonging to the late Duke
of Cambridge was commenced before a
large company at Christi's yesterday. Near
~ all the plate is either engraved or chased
with the royal arms. garter. motto and
crown The opening lots consisted of vart-
Gus coffee and tea services, which were sold
by weight 1t is estimated that the silver
belonging to the late duke now being sold
is upward of one ton, and 1t is many years
since such a large quantity was disposed OF
by auction. The days sale amounted to