New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-28
NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS.
ENGLAND and France Not To BE
Drascn into the Var.
,,.lsi to Tho Ncu.-York tribune by French Gable.

DOWNRIGHT. 1900. By The Tribune Assocationp
London Feb. 27.-There is no sign that any
Western power riil he drGun into the war IN
,rnchuria. The relations OF France and Eng
land as allies and belligerents have been sub
5acfed to great strain bat che two Foreign Of
Gees have succeeded in preventing sympathetic
feeling fo- asa ally from giving a new and a
dangerous trend 20 national policy. The evil
5cnce that there s. a strong anti English agi-
,a,ion IN progress "a Russia and Germany and
oven IN Paris. has warned the newspapers here
.ra- they must moderate their exaltation over
j.ussisn defeats ard De more circumspect IN
,beir comments when merchant ships are over
hauled hy cruisers in the Red Sea. in accord
--ce with ,he laws OF wa-. The newspapers
have been overzealoUs in their championship Of
ransn. and have not recognized the obligations
~ the neutrality proclaimed ny the Crown.
The Economist to-day sagaciousy warns them
that 81 is impolitic 20 glory in the defeats sus-
tanned oy Frances ally and that friendship FOR
France ought 10 induce them 20 exercise self
restraint. II these counsels are needed on each
SIDE OF the Channel the war IN the Far East
viii remain "A duel between rivals for the mas
+erv Of the Northern Pacific. Germany viii
have the main interest in lending moral and
automatic support Russia. but viii not
nose her new navy 10 British attack. The chief
source Of danger viii he Macedonia. where Aus
fris VIII find b im?racticable 10 enforce reforms.
rnd there viii be a strong probability that the
Russian government having been drawn against
is viii into an unpopular war. in which st
fights AT great disadvantage. may eventually in
wade Bulgaria and march TO Constantinople. in
order 10 reconcile the Slavs 10 a barren cam
pairn and humiliating peace in Manchuria and
Corea.
The chief morals drawn by experts from the
orerfng passages OF the war are that national
and diplomatic policies cannot be divorced from
The military and naval preparations requisite TO
enforce them. and that governments must know
definitely what they want and be prepared TO
strike quickly and decisively. While the Jap
anese navy has been mainly I'm sight. military
writers assert that its efficiency has been paral-
lsled by than Of the army, that the mobiliza-
ton of forces has been conducted with German
thorouRhness and precision. and that the
rauComcnt Of sea. field. transport medical and
hospital services and staff supervision has eX-
ceued the work done 10y the British in the cam
laicn in South Africa. The Russian army has
not yet been tested and it IS premature to as
sumo that there is inefficiency on land well
as on sea, although it enters upon an arduous
o1mpaign at great strategic disadvantage.
American affairs pass without observation.
Gwen when the Panama treaty has been ratified
Dog decisive vote. Ex-Secretary Roots speech
ln Chicago. with A new but rather precise gen
eralization respecting the Monroe Doctrine is
singled out for comment by the weekly reviews,
because Il Is assumed. possibly hastily. that he
speaks for President Roosevelt The decision OF
the Hague Tribunal IN the Venezuela case has
been commented on superfcally embodying
the common sense principle that a preference was
established by the blockade as a necessary de-
tail OF the international process Of distraint.
The leader writer's IN overlooking the fact that
the first preferential claim was enforced by the
belrgerent powers as the price Of suspension Of
the blockade. and that the Hague Tribunal has
sanctioned the second preferential claim and
enabled the German Emperor 20 obtain a most
important precedent FOR meddlesone activity in
the Western Hemisphere. are as obtuse as Mr..
Bslfour and Lord Bansdowne were when they
allowed themselves 20 be duped into
popular coalition. The Economist" s. the only
journal which perCeives the truth that the de-
cision u the tribunal viii not prove beneficial
20 British investors in the long run. since II viii
enable Continental power like Germany 10
coerce country which is heavily indebted 10
England. boy obtaining preferential treatment for
inferior claims. 10 dcpreciate the value Of su-
per0r and more legitimate claims. The worst
feature Of The affair is the premium placed
upon the rascaIity Of bondholders and money
lenders by the lack Of any systematic arrange
ments for tho classification OF claims against
The defauIung governments. The Economists"
conclusion Thar there is no ground for British
citation over the unfortunate decision is not al
tered hy The probability that all maritime ma
lions win participate ln the mex; pacific block
ade and bombardmeut Of old Spanish forts in
Tropical America.
The by-eiection in Birmingham has brought a
feeling of intense relief TO the CONSERVATIVES
Who were dr.ading a great reduction IN the ma
lorit- u is new proof Of Mr. ChaInberlain's
grip upon the Midlauds. and a striking tribute
10 The most remarlSable personality in British
politics The result does not corroborate the .
confident Liberal forecast Of dissolution after
Easter
N-. Balfour's return 10 Westminster is cele-
DRAFTED Sc one # Linley SHmbourne's most ei-
leciiHe cartoons. lie has not restored discipline
Ct enthusiasm among his followers; the whips
nave lost interest On their work. and the gov
eminent ma ority has fallen 10 fourteen on a
scratch division. Mr. BalfoUr looks faded and
na1sssed and while bis voice is clear and
tiong. he is clearly unn- physically for the
burdens q Office and Indifferent 10 the fortunes
" he government. II not riding directly for a
fa4 be VIII he as overjoycd 20 be released
Iron The anxieties Of Office as Lord Rosebery
was ir 1880 when the overthrow of the Minis .
ny was brought about accidentally. AR Bal 4
tours task o. recOnciling pr0Jectonists and free .
taaers 10 the retaliation makeshifJ Tor policy .
s one which battles his suhuety and tact lie .
eaiiot speak with decision as courageous .
Prime Minister without ropeiling the free traders
~ Inviting rerfisals from Mr. Chamberlain's f.
followers lie is IN an Impossible position, and, f.
'eing "a statesman q high honor and extreme .