New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-03
NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS
-IFFAfRS IN LONDON.
Conditions an Far EaSt-T'hc i'd
rance TO TT5ct-Kaiscr's Health.
orp.cl., 20 n. New-York rlbans by French Catlsl

s-orea has been followed By the march OF the
japanese army upon the Yalu. and there are
indications that battle is imminent unless
the Russians decide TO abandon their positions
II the mouth OF the river and retreat toward
Moulden. There are rumors that the japanese
are occupying islands not far from the spot
where their army landed in 1894, and the Rus
slams are stm expecting an attack on New
Chwang but unless all signs fail the military
operations at the outset viii be conducted
mainly against the intrenched positions on the
Talu- The strength OF the two armies, now
IN close touch with each other. can only be
con ectured, as the censorship has been most
rigorous and the special correspondents have
barely received permission 10 go to the front;
but the rival forces are clearly well matched
she japanese having a marked advantage in
artillery and the Russians superiority in cavalry.
There are strategical reasons for assuming
that the Russians win prefer 20 fight inland
rather than at the mouth OF the Yalu, where
they are exposed TO attack from the japanese
cruisers and gunboats. but the moral effect of
a premature retreat viii be disastrous when
Manchuria is densely populated by an eXctabe
race. The Russian admiral at Port Arthur IS
cruising outside the harbor and seeking TO draw
Admiral Togo into running fight under the
fire OF the shore batteries. and has partly sue
ceeded in olsetting the japanese advantages in
come unexpectedly at any moment
While the curtain is slowly rising anew upon
this military drama which appeals TO the mag
ination CT the Oriental races as well as TO the
interests Of civilized nations. there is brilliant
and picturesque entr'acte for the entertainment
OF those Englishmen who have learned to think
imperally. This is the perilous advance Of the
British mission toward Tibet, under the con-
slant menace Of attack in mountain
passes considerably higher than Mont Blanc
While Lord CurzOn in India, and Mr.. Balfour.
in England. have persisted in describing the ex-
redition as pacific and diplomatic. and in no
sense military. the lamas have obstinately re-
fused 10 enter into negotiations, and the strong
military guard which is protecting The mission
has been attacked by I'll disciplined force Of
natives. The assafiants have been easily re-
pulsed in a sharp fight and Tibetan village
has been stormed with the bayonet in the old
fashioned Anglo-Indian style. Unless the moral
effect OF these defeats intlmidates and over
awes the obstinate rulers and there is a signal
for a parley. the slow and tolsome march tow
ard Ishasa must be resumed. This march over
the SUBMITS OF lofty mountains. with road
makers working in the clouds, and supplies
drawn long distance over the difficult passes
from sikkim, is one Of the most characteristic
snd heroic episodes in recent English history.
From the Far South comes another recital Of
British pluck which thrills old seadogs with
pride. This is the return of the Antarctic eX-
+ pedition to New-Zealand, after a highly sue
cessful exploration Of a vast unknown stretch
Of barren land and frozen sea The accounts
telegraphed to The Daily Mail" and other Jour
mails show that behind fcrebus a desolate plateau
OF great altitude extends toward the Pole but
that westward Of the grim Balleny volcanoes.
where land has been sighted by various ex-
plorers. there are only fields Of floating Ice
Captain Scott's work in charging the stock OF
human knowledge by systematic surveys Of the
desolate Antarctic region has never been sur
passed in the annals Of Polar adventure. The
manarement Of the expedition has been without
a flaw. and Captain Scotts final achievement in
bringing his ship out Of her Imprisonment in
the ice with the help OF dynamite. and resum-
ing his exploration TO the westward, was most
brilliant and shows that the English race stin
breeds men Of action Of the old type.
The most momentous question at Continental
capitals is the state Of the German Emperor's
health sThe Times" here has expressed the
glooniest apprehensions Of the recurrence OF
signs Of the terrible masdy from which both
his father and his mother died and the nu-
nerous contradictions in the German press,
official aid otherwise, are accepted generally
as evasions similar TO those with which the
truth was veiled when the Emperor Frederick
was stricken unto death. The news received
from Italy seems reassuring. but there is much
pessimism in diplomatic circles. where the facts
ought to be known.
The April reviews either drop the tariff cues
tion altogether or place 1t toward the bottom
OF the table CT contents The Transvaal labor
problern and War Office reform have the pref
erence as topics OF current interest and are
49, Ia ms
official article in The Empire Review" on the
work OF Mr.. Chamberlain's tariff commission
does not excite controversy. The country with
out doubt is weary Of both tariff polemics and
the exhibition Of bad manners in Parliament,
where personal squabbles. discourteous retorts
and partisan horseplay have lowered the stand
ards Of debate established in Mr.. Gladstone's
dine En7rmities Of temper are shared by both
parties: the Liberals persist in making dissolu-
ton speeches when there is no practical method
of driving the government out OF ofilce. and Sir
Henri Campbell Banner1naa IN an outburst OF
wrath attacks Lord Miner vicicusly- and
fairly. The NinisteTiallsts, cXasperated by the
prospect % Major Seeley's return to Parliament
without opposition. walk cut Ct the house when
Winston Churchill speaks. anG like Sir
Charles nalrymple sharne;cssly defend this
method % parliamentary raging" The Easter
recess is urgently needed Cor the restoration OF
political sTrenit!es.
The government is making strenuous efforts
70 effect g compromise with The esonconformlsts