Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-26

peared among the stop-press news. l fancy
the decision was postponed until the last
possible moment
Mr.. Lawrence, the proprietor editor. de-
serves the utmost sympathy on his defeat
in what has really been a long battle for
principle. The Echo is the Oldest of half
penny papers. and 1t was for many years
emphatcally the best. Its prestige began
to wane only when it vacillated in its pol
Icy during the Boer war. Mr.. Lawrence
bought it when its circulation was nearing
vanishing point, and he achieved remark
able success In building up that side OF Its
fortunes. But 1t takes more than good
circulation to make a successful newspaper.
Mr.. Lawrence would not publish betting
tips" and it is also possible that the
Echo's strong labor policy may not have
had time to make its impression. He has
stoutly refused to sell to any bidder who
was not prepared to conduct the paper on
progressive and anti-betting lines-a de-
cision which means in all probability
grave financial sacrifice But at least the
little paper goes down with colors flying.
During the past few weeks the scanold-
ing has been gradually stripped from the
imposing new building in Whitehall. which
will house the war office and the structure
now stands revealed in all it's architectural
beauty and dignity one of the most nota-
BILE edihces in the metropolis. The i'm
mense area which 1t covers Is clearly IN
dictated by the lofty cupola at each of the
four corners Of the building. and these
graceful little domes add immensely to the
attractiveness of the prospect of this part
of London as seen from a moderate dis
lance.
The great Ionic columns which rise from
the first story are remarkably effective,
and 1t would seem that the open-air sculp-
ture of the metropolis has been substantially
enriched by the eight colossal groups which
adorn the pediments just underneath the
corner cupolaS. 1t was estimated that six
years would be occupied in building this
new war Office. and when the present year
has run its course that limit of time Will
have nearly been reached. so that judging
from the advanced state of the exterior of
the structure, it is highly probable that In
the spring of next year the huge staff Will
be able to leave their scattered habtation In
eleven different buildings in Pail Mall and
elsewhere. The estimated cost of the new
war office is s2,3I5,C0O.
If anything could make the shade OF
Whistler arise from his grave 1t would I'M
doubtedly be the placing of his enchanting
'Nocturne in Blue and Silver" in the ma
tional gallery. l do not mean the fact that
his picture now is there, for one is surer
than he that posterity would do him honor,
but that this delicate arrangement of subtle
Dlue ShOuld De placed on cheap red screen
red. of all colors. when The one thing to be
considered was not to aceentuate the blues.
which were just at the right pitch for
brown or neutral-tnted background! The
sW historian comment on this would surely
be, The last INSULT If Sir Edward Poyn-
ter had not given up his dictatorship. one
might certainly have suspected him OF
deep-laid plot here. 1 hope the national art
collections fund will see to 1t that their
splendid gift gets more thoughtful treat
o " q
Landseers and the Millais, and its curious
T-shape composition. its mysterious paint
ing and the curiouSness of it's theme,
Quickened to a sort of WildneSs by the fan
taStic Introduction of fireworks, sets 1t
apart as very conscious alien in this
sturdy British ROOM l.. H. MOORE.