New-York tribune., 1905-12-31
THAT PESSTMISTS THINK
OF PEACE OF EUROPE.

London, Dec. 3O.-The moralists are not too
preoccupied With domestic politics to drain the
cIp Of pessmism in memory of the departing
year. They convinced that the German EN-
peror has plotted against the peace OF Europe
and is still bent upon striking France suddenly
when Russia is powerless. and certainly there
are many indications that the Morocco confer
ence remains source OF danger, with the ORR
entail sovereign eager to play of Germany
against the Western powers The condition OF
Russia also inspires forebodngs of series Of
terrible catastrophes the final result OF the
conflict between reaction and revolution. even
II there be a temporary Improvement at St.
Petersburg and Moscow. where the government
forces are victorious.
OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK
Opri1nists find breath when they receive the
positive assurance that there will be no change IN
the spirit Of British diplomacy under Sir Ed
ward Grey. and contrast the bloody yet indie
cisve struggles OF reformers and revOlutiOnists
in Russia with the ord ~ly political conflict
opening in the United Kingdom. The Liberal
and the Unionist leaders are each striving TO
force the fighting in the enemy's country and
avoid defensive tactics The Prime Minister at
D,Infermline evaded the home rule question and
made vigorous attack upon the protectionist
tendencies of the Opposition. Mr.. Balfour, at
Albert Hall assailed the Liberals home
rulers whose policy would end in the separation
~ kingdom. The Liberals nave the aoFatl-
tage in these tactics since the presence of Sir
Edward Grey. Mr.. Asquith and Mr. Haldane in
the Cabinet is guarantee, that home rule can
not be taken cd by the next Parliament, whereas
the Unionists cannot keep tariff reform in the
background long Mr.. Chamberlain lives
and has q majority of the party with him Mr.
Balfour intended discuss home rule and edu-
cntion exclusively last night but the audience
compelled him to take up fiscal reform, and ex-
,Sia of
probably said than he meant. Certainly
he declared that tariff reform would be the great
constructive question for the Unionsts when
they return to power. The audience was Wild
with delight Mr. Chamberlain himself would
have been satisfied with unequivocal an ad-
mission that his principles would prevail
OUTCOME OF GENERAL ELECTION.
The result of the general election cannot be
forecast with any confidence. The advantages
Of attIck are equally shared. and so also are
the disadvantages of defensive tactics Every
Minister when he speaks is forced TO explain
the attitude Of the government on education
licensing taxation of land values the trades
union law home rule and South African policy
and inevitably repels large classes of voters.
The Unionists cannot persist in evading tariff
reform. and their canvass. with Mr.. Chamber
lain nghting strenuously in the Midlands. must
tend 20 concentrate the free trade opposition
himself retauationist. and Sir Edward Clarke
follows him. The result of the election will
be determined by cross voting on large scale.
The democratic electorate keeps its own secrets
KING GOING To CHATSFORTH.
The King and the Queen will speedily start
from Sandringham across the country to Chats
worth. where they VIII Join large company OF
the Duke of Devonshire's guests. Motor drives,
pheasant shooting and theatricals are planned
for their entertainment The Queen and Princess
Victoria viii probably be out of England from
the middle of March 10 May. making visits at
Copenhagen and Christiania II is not yet an
.nounced whether the King will join them in
Norway or the Riviera Country house gayety
is compressed much as possible, SO as not TO
interfere with the elections. The hunt balls
come on prenaturely next week in many shires.
and house parties made up for them. Charity
dances are not deferred, but there will be more
work than recreation at The country houses
while the elections in progress. There are
not many reversions Liberalism from the
TTnionfst side. Chatsworth is neutral ground the
Duke OF Devonshire apparently being out OF
politics for good. Lord Wimborne has made
double subscription 10 the Liberal party and
may be counted that side. The New Years
honors contain seven peerages. Charles Wilson's
being the greatest surprise Among the consola-
tior stakes Henry Labouchere's enrolment as
g tight honorabI privy councillor is the bright
est pleasantly
ACADEMY PRIVATE VIEW.
The Academy was fairly well flied to-day at
the private view of a miscellaneous lot OF old
masters British, Flemish and Victorian works
of varying quality. The water colors are
more numerous than usual, and a special feature
is made of eighty chalk ctudies bequeathed to
The Academy by G. T. Watts. The brightest
loom is the one where Rossetti's The Beloved
Mi;la!s's Sir Isumbras" and Burne-Joness
claus Veneris'' and st George and the
Dragon" series are exhibited. Franz Hais's por-
trait OF himself and his family. lent by CoIohei
Ward has the place of honor in the big gallery
II is a splendid work. painted most viVioly ahc
perfectIy preserved. Another feature Is series
Of Hogarth's including The Assembly al Wah-
stead House" recently auctioned on al hlgh
figures The pictures with few exceptions are
drawn from minor collections rather thaI from
great houses but there are three fine Sir JOshueS
from Lord Harrington's gallery, two matchieSs
C.airsr,orouebs .'Giardini" and Miss Adney,
lent nv Colonel Shuttleworth and Sir John Mil
burn and Lord warwick's wonderful Nanoych'
.syyi<e Of suyders" The only American con-
,r,h,.or ,s Hamilton Mccormick, who lends
seven portraits.
Another art reception well attended to-day
is at the Pail Mall water color gallery WneFe
sty lsndscane painters. including Messrs. Au-
rnon.sr T9ennercorn and Allen, have fine dis
NAV NJ vigorous work The VelasQuez Venus
3s no, vet purchased by the National Gallery
owing to the lack Of subscriptions 1t now seeiAs
probable that il will go 10 France
HOLIDAY PAYTOuIAES-
.toa. bla tuproyeuent IN