New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-05
NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS.
Too Foremost Figures in World
Little Kno1cn of Russian affairs.
Special by French cable to Tho Tribunel
lc,,-,,-rtrt- 10Y by The Tribune Assoeiation)


Edwards letter upon the opening of his second
term The press of both parties accepts him as
the representative American. commanding the
confidence Of his countrymen and such
prestige abroad that he can in supreme emer-
gencv cast the decisive vote in the council of
world powers. The Spectator to-day, con-
trasting the magnitude Of current events
with the snallness OF the human figures sup
posed 20 guide them. finds only two exceptions
in d world of first rate history with second
rate men. These first rate figures are the Ger
man Emperor and President Roosevelt, who are
euriously described as big men in their way,
swimming in seas too thick with brine TO allow
them ever to move at speed. Other tributes TO
the President are less enignatic, and imply that
he is a man of action with the gift of inspiring
enthusiasm. One great work expected during
the second term is the summoning of another
peace congress at The Hague England is now
predisposed 10 favor the idea, the report of the
North Sea Commission having given general
satisfaction here.
The details OF q great battle along the Shaho
remain bare and unlntelligible, as must be the
case when half million men-some connenta-
tors say 65GO00-are fighting on front Of from
seventy-five to ninety miles. The japanese are
credited with repeating their tactics at Lao
yang and winning decisive victory by an en-
veloping movement northward; but current re-
ports are inconclusive. British correspondents
at Moscow and St Petersburg assume that an
other Russian defeat followed by the retirement
Of the army from Moukden will be the signal
for peace but this is guessing in the dark.
Newspaper readers know as little about the in
ternal condition Of Russia as about the mill
tary strategy in Manchuria. There is a close
approach 10 martial law in the Caucasus. In
Poland ard in other provinces. There has been
oral
strike. especially among railway men, and there
Is fresh rescript with a vague promise of the
convocation of a national assembly, or, at any
rate OF holding a special conference under the
presidency of the Minister of the Interior, at
which the expediency Of a large scheme Of rep
resentative government may be discussed The
Gar in this pIantive message seems to ask his
revolving subjects how small is the beggal's
mite which they will be pleased to take from
him and be thankful while the incapacity of
the circle of laundering grand dukes is noto-
rIous. The powerlessness of the revolutionists is
equally plain. The industrial classes in the
towns may be dsafected. but the peasantry,
ignorant and impoverished, are not moving
against the throne.
The weekend finds the members OF the House
OF Commons scattering TO Brighton, Bourne
mouth and country houses with two by-eections
pirited protest against a half hearted policy Of
tariff reform to think over. The housewarming
Of the Duchess Of Marlborough at the new
palace in Curzon-st. with the King and the
Queen as the chief guests, and special grant
of 10000 for the visit of the Prince of Wales
10 india are interesting subjects Of talk for the
smart sets, and conference of steamship
agents at the Savoy Hotel for establishing a
harmonious rnodus vivendi between the Cunard
the German and the combination lines, and pre-
venting the recurrence of cutthroat competition
IS a prominent topic among the men; but Bal
fourian politics holds the field by virtue of the
surprises which the fortnight has produced and
the inscrutahIe mysteries Of the future
Two facts of high policy stand out from the
background OF political comedy, low intrigue and
confusing bypIay; one is naval retrenchment
and the other is the high class appointment
which secures the continuity of the administra-
ton OF South Africa The naval estimates dis
close a shrinkage of about ST 100000, due to
the retirement Of old vessels and the reduction
of officers and men on active duty. The pro-
gramme Of new construction is moderate and
not influenced by American. French or German
plans. Sir John Fisher has made the reorgan-
lied fleet both cheaper and more efficient, and
the Admiralty martinets have come to their
senses and stopped their foolish talk about
three power stands and the necessity of having
navy strong enough to meet possible coali-
ton Of America, Germany and France. The Sc
lection Of Lord Selborne as successor TO Lord
Miner. who has worked and worried himself
into failing health. is the best that could have
been made. Il takes "a strong man from the
weak Cabinet, but 81 supplies South Africa with
capable ana tactfU. administrator whom the
Liberals are not likely 10 displace when he is
giving the new Boer colonies constitutions and
self-goy eminent
Lloyd George and Mr. Churchill have resumed
leadership Of the Opposition and reduced the
government ma jority below thirty several times
As the Nationalist were working heartily with
the Liberals and the Ulster Unionsts were re-
sentfUl the situation suddenly became danger
Gus for the government, whose fate hung upon
the loyalty OF 3Ir. Chamberlain Mr.. Balfour's
official action in supporting Lord Hugh Cecil In
Greenwich when the tariff reformers controlled
the local association was most disturbing in
cident II it had not been suddenly reversed
at Kings Lynn, where Air. BowIes was receiving
Ministerial support, a rupture OF the govern
nent forces would have been inevitable The
tariff reformers after capturing the local asso-
cations upon which the free trade Unionists
We're dependent for denomination. would have all
their work undone. The tired Prime Minister
with Mr. Wyndham discredited in ireland for
playing with all factions, and with Cabinet va
cancies 10 iii at an awkward moment. fell back
for support upon Mr.. Chamberlain whose fol-
lowers were clamoring for a general election
Altogether, It has been a situation Of remarkable
interest, without a parallel in recent times.
Meanwhile the week has been crowded with
varied incidents The Kings inspection of the
cruiser squadron was the most picturesque cpl
sode. The two days voting at Cambridge over
the proposal TO make knowledge of Greek un.
necessary fo- university degree is one of tht