New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-07
NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS.
AFFAIRS IN LONDON.
No Light on Var Mysteries-Eng-
ESb Politics Equally Obscure.
Especial BY French cable to The Tribunel

Copyright, 1908. by The Tribune Assocationl
London, May 6.-The is stiu game of
blindman's buff There are vague reports of
a fresh concentration Of Marquis Oyama's forces
by which Vladivostok will be cut off from
Hardin and besieged. as Port Arthur was, by a
separate army, but there are no authentic de-
tails. Admiral Togo's fleet has disappeared from
the eyes Of the correspondents as completely as
though swallowed up by the sea- The naval ex-
perts expect sudden attack by a torpedo fotilla
upon the Russian fleets before they pass For
Inosa. but these forecasts are at variance with
the meagre intelligence received from Japan,
which indicates wary policy OF drawing the
armada on, closing Vladivostok against it, and
destroying II ship by ship. Admiral Nebogatoff's
squadron is again reported as passing Singapore
81 g cruise as mysterious the Flying Dutch
mans phantom appearances. The delay IN eff
fecting the junction CT the sQuadrons involves a
destructive waste Of coal and creates the pre-
sumption that the united feet will remain of the
coast of Anam until new arrangements are made
With German merchants for recoaIing it
English politics are almost as obscure and
confusing the mysteries of the war The
liberals have not opposed the second reading Of
the TWO main government measures, and they
concentrate their energies upon sham fights over
votes Of confidence, like the Irish vote set down
for next week Mr.. Balfour and Mr. Chamber
lain have each made slashing attack on the
Opposition tactics, but their own relations are
cautiously concealed. Mr.. Chamberlain could
not hide ct Birmingham his regret that the cleo
lions had not been held last year and that his
heart was not IN the compromise measures for
keeping the Conservative factions together. Mr.
BalfoUr was IN more buoyant spirits in address
ing the Primrose League. He spoke as a party
leader who could have no rival. and was free TO
49,
elections at his own convenience.
Among the uncertainties Of war and politics
there is at least one verify, clear, honest and
unristakable. This is the Anglo-American fell
loWship. The Mansion House banquet to Am
bassador Choate last night was a well organized
demonstration OF English good viii for America,
and IS accurately described by THE Morning
Post" as one Of the most important political
events OF the time and better product OF d.
plouacy than a whole sheaf OF treaties. It was
larger and more representative gathering than
Ambassador Bayerd addressed in the BAN
quoting hall al the close of President Cleveland's
term, and more enthusiastic Mr.. Balfour Lord
Lansdowne and Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman
rivaled one another in their sincerity and ear
nestness n expressing friendship and admiration
Tor America Ambassador Choate easily sur
passed them IN oratoTy. yet could only equal
been more eloquent or spoken with greater au-
thority ana elevation Of mind. His tribute TO his
successor, from whose recent speech he made
direct quotation, was received with hearty ap-
plause. No American Ambassador ever received
q finer tribute abroad than Nh Choate last
night, yet sincere as was every expression Of
admiration for the man. the duIlest spectator
was impressed with the Importance OF the dis
play OF good feeling as an International event.
Apart from the Mansion House dinner to Mr..
Choate and a fresh series of weddings the
opening season has not been marked by any
notable social events. The opera at Covent
Garden has started sluggishly even with Rich
ter IN command Of the superb orchestra for the
first Wagner cycle. and with Maurel and Gill
bert 10 disport themselves in Rossinis Barber
Of Seville" with a new soprano from Munich.
Nine BosettL
The Kings return has relieved the Duke of
Connaught from duty IN standing guard for
royalty. His early conference with Mr.. Balfour
and Lord Lansdowne has confirmed the report
that he had important business in Paris; yet
there is no sign Of diplomatic tension in any
quarter, not even If Admiral Fitzgerald has pub
Lshed mischievous article on rivalries in sea
power in German review. There is another
theory that Mr.. Balfour expects to dissolve
Parliament in July, and that the King is at
tempting TO dissuade him from bringing on an
election crisis in foreign relations and break
ing up the season; but this is not supported
authoritauveIy. Newmarket is convinced that
Lord Marcus Beresford is acting for the King
in his negotiations with c. D. Rose for the pur-
chase Of the stallion Cyllene for the improve
Inent Of his racing stock; but there is a general
skepticism over the statement that the French
offer Of 10000 has been approached. There is
even less Credibility at Westminster over the
irish story that Lord Dunraven had the King
encouragement in discussing a Home Rule
scheme with Sir Antony Macdonald. Lord
Dunraven has given a fresh version Of this af-
fair, but it has the effect of post-mortem
statement, since the crude project of delegating
self-governing powers to Ireland has been re-
pudlated by the new Secretary.
The theatres have been bristling with novel
ties this week. George Alexander has never acted
with finer skill than in dramatic version Of
John ChiIcote" at the st. James's Theatre and
Marian Terry has supported him brilliantly IN
the only scene with real opportunity for good
stageWork; but the psychological interest Of the
story has been sacrificed by an amateur play
wright, and little has been left except the de-
tective element in exposing imposture. Mr.. Nc
Lellau's American play, Leah BIeschna," is a
complete success. Lena Ashwell has never
played with greater power, and Charles Warner.
Leonard Boyne and other members Of the COM
pany support her admirably. The critics unite in
describing it as the best play introduced from
America in a long period. Richard Harding
Davls's Dictator" has also been received with
IT ~ RE