New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-06

sheet by increasing sugar duties and doubling
export duties on coal; but Austen Chamberlain
may bring on a crisis ia his anxiety 10 provide
bis father with a fresh argument for revision OF
the fiscal system. Retrenchment is the last
thing which anybody thinks Of on the minis
terial side. Arnold Forster has. reduced the
estimates for the army through the shrinkag e
OF military expenses in South Africa; but ex-
perts insist that the artillery force must be
armed with new quick firing guns by another
year. and the current theory that every branch
Of the service must be prepared for war and
ready 20 fight at a moments notice involves in
creased expenditure.
The naval outlay also is enlarged without
necessity or prudence. The debates in the
House OF Commons this week have shown a
blind. unreasoning devotion TO the admiralty
theory that the British Navy must be equal TO
the combined fleets OF the two strongest foreign
powers This two powers standard IS sacro-
sanct as was free trade until Mr.. Chamberlain
offered to sacrifice the protectlonist gods. Like
the law OF gravitatiUn, e must not be chal-
lenged. The Russian naval losses have already
lowered materially the accepted two power
standard OF sixty-three warships in the fighting
line. but the Admiralty experts insist that the
British feet OF seventy be kept abreast with
the combined fleets Of France and Germany,
land is an idea only fit for bedlam. The unex-
pected purchase Of the two Gillian warships
would be a good excuse for modifying the con-
struction programme, and the practical tests OF
naval mechanism In the war in the Northern
Pacific would be a still better argument for
deferring the outlay on battleships of the expert
mental type. but the ministers will not listen TO
any appeal for naval retrenchment.
Meanwhile Sir William Vernon arcourt, who
unconsciously provided resource for extrava-
CANT and ceaseless expenditures on military and
naval ornaments when he revised the death
and estate duties has announced his retirement
from public life The Liberals have no debater
equal 10 Sir William Vernon-Hsrcourt he
was before his voice failed him. and no financier
Of like eminence. Sir William Vernon-Har-
courts withdrawal makes il probable that Mr..
Asquith viii be Chancellor of the Exchequer in
the Liberal or coalition Cabinet and Mr.. Hal
dane Lord Chancellor. one Of the shrewdest
observers Of British politics forecasts the Pre-
miership OF the Duke OF Devonshire, the eleva-
ton OF Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman to the
peerage with the Office OF President OF the Coun-
ell. the return Of Lord Rosebery TO the Foreign
Office. and the handing over Of the leadership
Of the House Of Commons 20 Mr.. Asquith. This
is also favorite list in the new political salons
and in Belgravia, where Mrs. Asquith is popular.
In the smart sets Lent has been the signal
for a revival Of gayety. Jenkins must be right
when he says il is bad form TO dance after
Easter. for the best balls are coming off In
Lent. This week there have been balls at Mrs.
Closes, Mrs George Napier's and Lady VIM
cents, with a brilliant display of diamonds and
a large retinue OF men dancers. There has been
much talk about the wedding OF Lady Grizel
Cochrane and the master OF Belhaven at the
Henry VII Chapel and more about the prob
ability that the royal wedding day dance will
be repeated at Buckingham Palace.
Murray Carson's new comedy. when a Mans
Married. written with the assistance of Nora
Keith. has received the honors Of a trial per
Torrance at Mr.. Wyndham's theatre. II is a
pleasant idyll with freshness in the acting Of
Jean Stirling Mackinlay. but the critics decline
10 take a serious view or IL.
The best art show is the collection 81 French.
English and Scotch pictures at the GoupiI Gal
lery. the works OF Besnard. Lhermitte. Blanche
and Clausen being excellent.
J.. A Abbey has painted in few missing
royal heads. including the Kings. and the coro-
nation picture is virtually finished. ready for the
next Academy. J. y. F.