New-York tribune., 1905-04-16
NEWS OF TWO. CAPITALS.
AFFAIRS IN LONDON.
Expected Sea Fight of Supreme
EmpOrtance-King's Wishes KmosOn.
Especial 70 The 7Flbune BY French Oahlel
eCopyright. leOs. hy The Trfhunn Ar.or,n.,o,

London, April lS.-The progress OF the Russian
armada is the most dramatic event In modern
times The military operations in ManohurIa
have dropped cut OF sight The chatter OF
diplomacy has ceased at the capitals on the
Continent and the remarkable demand OF the
congress OF barTasters IN 81 Petersburg FOR a
national assembly passes almost without OBJ
servation. The hnsl struggle Cor the recovery
OF Russian prestige by the restoration OF sea
power is the supreme event which overshadows
sn Importance everything at home or abroad.
The premature accounts OF the battle have been
Elusive as the forecasts OF the experts, which
are nullifed by the uncertainty clouoing modern
warfare at The Russians have the ad-
vantage of two battleships, but otherwise are
outclassed in cruisers, destroyers and every
other branch OF the service. The Japanese have
awaited in silence the appearance Of the Russian
feet. and have concealed all the arrangements
for an attack on FOrmosa. Neither fleet can be in
a good condition for battle, but the Russian ad-
gniral is at a serious disadvantage from the pro-
sracted voyage and dependence upon Golfers and
merchantmen for supplies. For this reason the
experts have fancied that ne would seek 10 avoid
meeting the japanese feet and make for the
open sea beyond the Philippines in order to
reht al ViadivOstOk. The japanese admiral has
taken effective measures for preventing a
maneuyre Of this kind. and reports Of great
battle are already in the afr, but without ads-
quste confirmation. the Russian fleet. unless
it swerves eastward from its course, is probably
passing Hong Kong tO-oRy. Dispatches are mo-
Enentarily expected announcing that It has been
sighted in that quarter. The experts are pre-
dieting battle in the FormOsa channel on Mon
day. but Admiral Togo has not taken them into
his confidence.
Peace talk has been suspended during the
progress Of the Russian feet, since the result OF
the naval battle may be decisive II Admiral
Togo wins a sweeping victory. There Is now q
clearly defined theory among those in touch
with the diplomatic embassies that peace, when
Il comes will be arranged directly between the
belligerent powers This is the method which
both the British and French foreign Offices
viii prefer. since it Will minimize the risks and
complications from mediation and keep the
German Emperor in the background. There are,
according 10 a well informed student OF affairs
two obstacles: one is the absence from Russian
public life of anybody OF sufficient authority TO
inform the Car that he must stop the war, and
the other is the reluctance OF the German En-
peror 10 relinquish the centre OF the stage when
history is making hand over hand and the
balance Of power IN the East and the West has
been changed. The grand dukes among them
may have authority for arranging an armistice
prefer TO make peace directly with Russia and
thereby reduce the chances OF mischief making
by the German Emperor. The financial experts
agree that the improvement Of the markets after
the negotiation Of peace viii be slight and mo-
mentary.
After a busy week Of debate and conference.
there is evidence OF increased cohesion and sta
binty on the government side. The Budget has
far he fy n
country, and, while II has irTitated the tax
payers. il has enforced the necessity Of tariff
for revenue What is described as a fiscal
erenicon Is grounded upon the truth that a low
tariff is needed for the relief OF income tax pay
ers and the readjustment OF burdens OF direct
and indirect taxation, and that IL is an indis-
pensable requirement for retaliation. Colonial
preference or reciprocity is not yet accepted all
around, but in the truce between the factions
Mr.. Chamberlain has been the chief peacemaker'
and Mr.. Balfour has received committee OF
tariff refomers with his usual hexibility.
The government has been temporarily
strengthened by a fresh compromise and enabled
70 settle the Transvaal constitution and intro
duce the Aliens bill. The two leaders are show
ing once more that they can keep the party to-
gether while they are loyal to each other. There
are also signs Of increased consistency on the
Liberal side otherwise the Home Rule debate
would have embarrassed the opposillon' ana
Lord Rosebery would not be starting for Naples
after the confident prediction TO the Liberal
League that the Irish policy OF the next govern
ment viii be one which he support. The
argument has been heard every side in the
House Of Commons that foreign affairs are so
critical that the general elections must not be
brought prematurely.
The Kings words are not quoted but his
wishes known and respected. He is now
expected early in May. in time for the New
market races. Three levees and two three
courts and one state ball are planned for the
regular season. The marriage OF the Princess
Margaret TO Prince Adolphus at St. Georges.
Windsor, now set down for July. and the yisit
Of the King of Spain viii be unique features of
brilliant season. The general elections viii be
81 timed before August. President Eliot OF Har-
ward University gave Mr.. Sargent series OF
sttings for a portrait before sailing on the
Deutschland. Edward Robinson. director OF the
Boston Museum, who made brilliant speech at
Aberdeen. viii return TO America by the Kron-
prinz Wilhelm next week Congressman Pugs-
ley has been spending weak in London. James
Boyle's retirement from the Liverpool consulate
is preceded by a series of private and public
dinners, and portrait VIII be presented 70 him.
Consul General Evans, having received hearty
send-on at the farewell dinner given by the
Pilgrims viii make long journey on the Con-
tinent before sailing for America. His success
sor, Robert J. Wynne. is already here.
The farewell dinner to Ambassador ChOate by
the Bench and Bar Of Lincoln's Inn has placed
Tpxy 0ro Moro