New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-13
NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS
AFFAIRS IN LONDON.
King and Chinese Labor In South
AfIca-Japan's Object.
csV.a.l % N. Nsw-Tork Trisun. ~ French c4o'.'


ocopyraFhts 1904: BY Tie Tribune AssooistionD
London, March 1.-THE King has interviewed
On imperial affairs with a conservative in
ruencs when the ministers have been
helpless. he has suspended the operation OF
she Chinese labor ordinance in the Transvaal
indefinitely. without dsallowing Il altogether
Unless this is merely saving clause FOR pro
ssdinC Tor negotiations with the Chinese govern
Enent, this V q remarkable illustration OF the
truth that LOYALTY TO tho crown is the chlet
bond OF the empire. The introduction OF Chi
nese labor "a the Transvaal has been pro-
nounced Indispensable by Lord Miner. DR..
Jameson and the mine owners. but there has
been no practical method Of ascertaining by a
referendum the opinion OF the people OF South
Africa The Colonial Secretary supported the
policy az the best expedteat for promoting an
industrial revival IN the Transvaal and restor-
fng prosperity 70 the mining interests. but the
Prime Minister and his associates accepted II
with reluctance q regrettsble necessity ana
sTnphatic protests were heard from Australia
Rew-Zealand and Canada. where experience
with Chinese labor has not been satisfactory
The King without interposng an arbitrary
veto or interfering in the manner OF George III
with colonial privileges and home rule. has
voiced the opinion OF the nation. and has been
e7Iide6 By the warnings OF powerful sections OF
tho empire IN ceferring the importation OF chi
rese labor until the Transvaal and Parlament
have hno leisure Tor sober second thought ano
deliberate survey OF the entire situation Norll-
saIly he leaves the Trsnsvasl free 10 proceed
with the execution OF the ordinance but pracu-
cauy be keeps the door a5ar for the reconsid-
sration % the whole subject II M. Irlns
action does not prohibit what the Australians
regard az the deadly yellow peril. It provides
safeguards for regulating the importation OF
Chinese workers with caution and prudence
There are Increasing signs that japan Is pro-
noting the revival OF Asiatic as distinguished
from Western. or Caucasian. Interests. The most
Influential organ OF opinion IN India prOclsims
the sympathy % Hndoos and Mussulmans
alike with the cause OF the island empire, ana
pride IN the exploits OF the Asatic race IN Aght-
ing Russia with superior science. China IL agog
with excitement over the AsiatiC defiance Of the
resources OF Russian power. and there are many
indications that the BsnchUrians VIII make tie
cause OF Japan their own as soon as an invad-
ing army reaches AIoukden. Already the Jap
anese have revealed Enthusiastically the inten-
ton 70 govern Corea- not as conquered prov
ince but as a sphere Of legitimate interest for
tire administration Of which they are response
be as the English are for Egypt, and they
have also created the impression that they VIII
not annex Manchuria hold Port Arthur, but
be content with exercising protectorate over
Picking and accepting the leadership OF the
lsiatics on the Pacific Coast Japan is proving
that there are unsupported reserves OF force
Iand character in the Asiatio races. and is
lighting I'D the nrss Of the Oriental magma
tion.
Meanwhile the Caucasian IN the West while
not admitting that he is played out" has the
proud distinction OF being the ally OF JapaC-
and is also engrossed with the harassinE per
pieNites OF finance. There are forecasts OF
combined deficit Of from 100000 TO 100000
for the current and the next financial year. but
the receipts may be swollen Unexpectedly IN the
last fortnight The March stock and mining
markets stagnant, railway shares are go
ing TO the worse. consOls have touched bottom
prices FOR a long period, cotton and other great
industries are suffering from dear money. and
the London County Council ana the provincial
municipalities are unable 10 borrow on reason
able terms The essential fact OF the situation
is that the country, after having al the money
4 Il wanted Tor a decade at "a per cent. is now
y confronted with the prospect Of a permanent
per cent rate ana compelled to adapt itself
10 new conditions. The optirnists in Parliament
and IN the street are watching various E. avs
and oon9oling themselves with the reflection
that the wind Is blowing from a fresh quarter.
One straw is the passage 10 a second reading
OF young Trevelyans bill affirming the princi-
pie that site and structure may be separately
assessed IN ratable property and opening a
new source OF revenue FOR municipalities IN the
taxation OF Unimproved LAND. Another is the
probability that rate war VIII be avoided in
the Atlantic shipping trade by the working
agreement between the Cunard Line and Mr.
zsmay. tho new manager OF NIr. M0rgau's trust
Another Is the award OF a contract IN London
Tor the construction OF several tunnels under
the East River. which is considered a partial
offset 10 the employment Of masses OF Arnerl-
oan capital IN working out the underground
transit problem OF the metropolis. "Old Eng
land is not quite dead" says the man IN the
street, "as she seemed 10 be when Morgan was
ruling English commerce and buying up every
thing RhoaL"
Mr. Balfours dexter1ty in holding his party
together r. conspicuous. but he Is not con-
Quoting the government with dignity. This
IS tho confession OF his warmest admirers,
who admit that be is a trimmer rather than
statesman lie escaped defeat on Mr. Prizes
motion by Withdrawing an official amend
ment az the dictation OF Mr.. Chamberlain's fol-
lowers. and only twenty-six free traders on his
own side had the courage required for voting
with the opposition Fiscal reform IS not the
only question which he Is hating between
two opinions. lie does not know his own mind
respecting army reform. and refrains from sup
porting AIr Arnold Forster's drastic measures
based on Lord Esher's report because ne does
not like 10 hurt Mr.. BrodricH's feelings. Bir.
Bslfour's soph.strics have not easily been dif-
ferentiafed from discrimination ga his artificial