New-York tribune., 1905-03-19
NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS.
AFFAIRS IN LONDON.
Greatest National Catastrophe of
Modern History.
cs-sc,sI bv French Cable to The Tribunel
soor 49, 7-he Trihunn ASsoclo,to,

7o,aon March 1S-The German Emperors
,5,,,sr 10 the French Embassy at Berlin is
q he earliest signs that European conditions
-. hean transformed by the Russian defeat
:. -,sr not have a bearing upon German inter
o..s IN Morocco but It is an indication that the
--,,ero- considers II expedient to create bet
+a- understanding with France now that Russia
has had q collapse in arms more overwhelming
- than Sedan and that the Western mari
time powers have acquired increased influence
sn the world of politics. One of the best in
,orrned students Of diplomacy says that the
greatest mystery in Europe is what will happen
after the death Of the Emperor Of Austria
F7ungarv perhaps the only sovereign capable
If keeping the confederacy Of hostile races and
nations of the empire together The balance of
mower in southeastern Europe has certainly been
unhinged by the Russian debacle in Manchuria,
and Germany has been left free to exert a COM
rnanding influence in that quarter and take ad-
vantage of the separatst tendencies of the Dual
Empire AS Russian predominance in the Bal
kans becomes tradition Of the past, Austria is
solely responsible for the regulation Of Turkish
rule in Macedonia, and Germany. with salonica
as a future goal and Denmark and Holland
estates Of the enlarged empire, is released from
the. menace Of Russian interference and enabled
10 make the best bargain possible for Italy and
France and cultivate good relations with Eng
land. America and Japan.
While experienced observers like the pub
licst already quoted striving to forecast
the lutura with its of tangled diplomacy
fnanciers like Lord Rothschild are seeking to
convince the Russian Treasury that peace must
be made before Admiral Togo has a chance of
destroying the Baltic feet and Kuropatkin's
successor has an army to command. II the line
OF retreat 10 Harbin Kirin has not already
been cut off by the fresh disaster at Telling it
is not probable that the advice of foreign finan-
ciers will be taken, although it is evident that
France is not prepared to increase her holdings
Of Russian securities on any terms, and that the
German bankers will prefer to cooperate with
American and English investors in floating the
new japanese loan The Russian government
repulsed abroad. will strive 10 raise a series of
internal loans while it is playing with the idea
Of representative assembly as an expedient for
restoring peace and order within the empire and
when this resource is exhausted forced cur
rency can be made by the printing press. The
Moscow tradition is the beggarly remnant of
Russian military prestige. and-untiI that has
been revived and the Japanese have been drawn
far from the sea by campaign Of passive re-
sistance and sullen retirement the grand dukes
may refuse to make peace and pay the war in
demnity which the French penalty for
Sedan. Field Marshal Oyama by the marves of
strategy which have won for him the title of
the japanese Napoleon" may forestalI the Mos
COW tradition by completing the destruction of
the Russian army. Some military critics are
confident that his will be done and that the
remnant Of the Russian army. cut off from
Harbin. Will be scattered and harried in retreat
10 Kirin and finally forced to surrender. The
morale Of the forces certainly has gone and
General Linevitch is abandoned to counsels of
despair The bewildered camarilla Of grand
dukes is apparently incapable Of confronting
the greatest national catastrophe of modern
history.
The caricaturists portray Mr. Balfour
as a cardsharper shuffling the Cabinet pack
or as the infamous executioner of the French
Revolution. with small guillotine in full opera
tion; but he has a persistent habit OF surviving
political defamation. Mr. Asquith at the CEN
ire delivered an onslaught upon the new sup
ply procedure. and Lloyd George and Mr.. |
Churchill made dashing attacks right and left, |
but the development movement failed. The gov |
eminent is charged with plotting against the |
liberty Of the Commons. but this is a familiar |
recourse Of partisanship 1t is making steady |
progress with the supply bill, and, if not |
by the latest reorganization, is |
most adroitly led by Mr.. Balfour. Mr.. Chamber
lain evidently will not be ready for the general |
elections until the Transvaal scheme of self
government has been sanctioned and the Chan
nellor of the Exchequer has made a second
Budget speech. The tariff reformers while kept |
under discipline in the House Of Commons, are
resuning offensive operation outside. A
third candidate viii be nominated at Greenwich
against Lord Hugh Cecil, and the free trade
Cnionists VIII be crowded out of every local
association Discipline is lax on the Opposition
side The Wings cou1Dlain that Lord Rose |
oerys followers absent themselves from i'm
oortant divisions and take a languid interest i'll
attempts 10 defeat the government. The
Nationalists do not muster in full force and are
eported to be intensely irritated by the speeches
Il Lord Rosebery and Sir Edward Grey on the
IRISH questions.
The enervating weather has induced influenza
z mild form. and other ailments. The King
himself is slightly indisposed. Mr. Chamber
ain IS forced TO be extremely prudent. Am
'assador Choate is recovering slowly from a
ornights illness. Hostesses complain that
Inner parties are broken up by unexpected
egrets from invalids, and that the boy and
III dances are smaller than ever. The levee at
T. James was one OF the quietest Of the present
eign. Lady Hayter remains the most active
ostess the Liberal side, but her parties are
ot crowded. The smart set has rallied at
eaford House, where the sale of the Irish In
ustries Association has secured the patronage
J Princess Christian and many other great la
ies. The marriage Of Signor Marconi with the
aughter of the late Lord Inchiquin has been
social affair Of genuine interest. the church
eng crowded with people of fashion and men
science and letters The honeymoon VIII
y ~ EM