New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-29
NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS.
.fFFAIRS IN LONDON.
Compulsory Seruicc in Arny-Coms-
pLicQtions in Tibet.
especial to IN. Ss--rOrk -r4sun. ny French caSi.1

OF trivial Importance in comparison with the re-
port Of the royal commission on reorganization
zion OF the militia and volunteer forces. with its
positive recommendation for the compulsory
service Of all able bodied men. Army officers
have held this view for n long period. but the
War once has never ventured TO adopt IT, Mr..
Brodrfck In proposing the rpecious paper scheme
OF the reorganization OF tie British army talked
like an Official who making desperate eff
forts to avoid CONSUMPTION. but did not expect
20 succeed. Mr.. Wyndham. during the first year
OF the Boer war. invariably was optimistic in
discussing recruiting operations and processes
OF stiffening the regular battalions from the
serves The new royGl commission virtual
ly admits that the system broke down IN an
emergency. for II condemns the militia and VOL
unteers unfit TO take the field against any
regular army. and declares that CONSUMPTION IS
the only basis for home defence. This remarka-
bic report bears the impress OF Spenser Will
dnson's influence over his colleagues. He is
the ablest writer military affairs 81 the
United Kingdom, and has co-operated with
Sir Charles Dixie in comprehensive studies OF
the resources OF the British Empire. He has
induced the Dukes OF Norfolk and Richmond.
Lords Derby ana Grenfell. Sir Coleridge Grove
and Colonel Llewelyn 10 Join him in recon-
mending that the army for home defence be
recruited by compulsory military service as an
at present As Sir Ralph Knox and Colo
nels satterthwaite. Dalmahoy and Westropp
dissent. the proposals for conscription not
unanimous and are not likely TO be acted upon.
The subject is brought before the country in
startling way but viii speedily be dropped. The
commissioners vaguely suggest that the pro-
posed system viii be less than the present cost
OF military forces. Cautious British taxpayers
are convinced in advance that conscription VIII
add enormously TO military expenditures. Prac-
teal politicians agree that no government will
sanction CONSUMPTION in any form until there
has been a more serious breakdown in the
reserves for national defence than occurred in
the Boer
The reports OF the japanese victory at Kin
Chow are fully confirmed The details show
that the Russian defence was resolute. but I'M
scientific. and THAI the japanese stormed the
heights IN a frontal attack with splendid vslor
after discovering the weakest points by a pro-
tracted reconnaissance and while Gnassng their
artillery fire. The dispatches make the losses
on each side serious. but clearly the Russians
were heavily outnumbered. The Port Arthur
garrison has been left to maintain the tradi-
ton OF Sebastopol and has retired from Kin
Chow southwark TO another line OF defence and
VIII fight stubbornly 10 the end. Meanwhile
ae main Russian army. under Kuropatkin may
and Moukden. It may be preparing 10 re-
peat the famous retreat to Moscow by retiring
20 Hardin Contradictory reports are pub
lished respecting the condition OF the Russian
army. Probably the reinforcements are not so
strong as represented and the difficulties Of
supply much more serious. There has evidently
been q conflict OF opinion at headquarters This
was Inevitable when the staff had TO consider
the weInigh impossible problem Of the defence
OF the Lao and Kwang-Tung peninsulas.
England has most serious complication IN
Tibet, es Mr.. Broderick himself admitted last
night IN his bewildering speech at Cranleigh
The lines OF communication between Gyangtse
and the Indian frontier are evidently threat
ened II not interrupted, and the public is not
treasured respecting the safety Of the mission
nor by the limitations Of correspondents that
the British are not fighting the people Of Tibet.
but the priestly caste, which depends upon Rus
sian help.
The English press is filed with discussion Of
the new dangers 10 neutral shipping from float
ing mines outside inland writers, the revision
OF scientific theories of the 'age OF the world
and the cause OF its heat in consequence Of the
discovery Of radium. the rate war between ship
ping companies and the sudden exodus Of sur
plus population from Europe TO America under
the stimulus Of the - Storage passage rate.
American Presidential politics also command
attention THE Spectator" having to-day a re-
marlable article on TIE Monroe Doctrine as a
safeguard for England. ard predicting Presi-
dent Roosevelt's election by overwhelming
popular vote.
The Whitsuntide holidays have sience1 the
tiresome orone ot politics and the tinEling Gym
balls OF smart society. Mum is the word when
the trircmers on the tariff question meet their
constituencies with tongue in cheek. and Mr..
Chamberlains opponents affect 10 believe that
the fiscal movement has collapsed, and that next
week VIII witness the revival OF faith IA free
trade when Cobden's birthplace is visited with
reverence by political pilgrims. Country houses
are fuh and there is gayety all around Windsor
The chief topic among the racing ses is the
challenge OF the French horse Covenant for
the Derby and the chances OF success with
an English rider ana the colts condition after
the Channel passage are eagerly discussed. The
King and the Queen win attend the great race
which IS expected to be the best Derby of many
years. While gayety has been suspended tenn
porarily in Belgravia the hotels are crowded
with Americans and provincial trIppers. and
the traffic IN London streets is unusually dense
Americans interested in the approaching
luncheon OF the Pilgrims in honor OF Seth Low
at the Savoy Hotel. which promises 10 be
brilliant affair. There win be little speaking
apart from James Bryce's tribute to the guest
OF honor and Mr.. Lows reply but the company
VIII be a representative one OF English univer-
Eity ana public life. Ambassador Choate and
W. ID. Howells viii be among the American
guests. The Pilgrims dinner in honor OF Lord
Roberts also promises 10 be q most interesting
occasion OF international good fellowship and