New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-31
PLANS FOR PROMOTION OF
PEACE DISARRANGED.
Especial By French Cable to The Tribunal
Tr,or,rsus,A ronr. 81. ~. s,.h.,ra Association


London. March sO-Partisanship spoils what
might be an inspiring Easter topic. The Unionist
critics seize upon the hostile criticism OF the
German and French journals and reproach the
Prime Minister for lowering British prestige by
persisting in advocating disarmament at the
Hague Congress. These partisan attacks are
conducted in tho interest OF the German En-
perOr. who naturally prefers to exclude dis
armament from the programme and to avoid the
necessity for blocking it in the congress Itself.
What is remarkable is that these British journals
should be eager TO help him discredit the
Prime Minister and Sir Edward Grey. THE
Tines sets a worthier example to-day in print
ing an able and closely reasoned letter in favor Of
the exemption OF private property at sea from
capture. The Lord Chancellor recently took the
same ground in favorlng the acceptance Of the
American principle. and his argument is now
rsstated with exceptional cogency by a brilliant
writer over the signature Of Pax" The Ad-
miralty martinets. headed by Sir John Fisher
are against instructing the British delegation to
join America on this question. but there is
strong force Of public opinion in industrial and
commercial centres in favor OF hearty o-Opera-
ton In the policy, dictated by self-interest as
well as inspired by humane principles.
WHERE PEOPLE ARE.
Town houses and clubs are deserted for the
Easter holidays. The Prince OF Wales is at
FrOgmore. the Prime Minister at Cannes. Sir
Edward Grey at his Northumberland home.
Herbert Gladstone on the Riviera, and Winston
Churchill with the King at Biarritz. John
Burns is almost the only member OF the Cabinet
in London. The members OF the diplomatic
corps are also scattered. The American En-
bassy continues to receive good news from Mr..
Reid, who Is now at Biarritz at the same hotel
with the King. Mr.. Carter, who has kept well
abreast with the business OF the embassy, IS
spending the weekend at Sandwich. The hon-
days viii be shorter for smart society than for
the political leaders. for weddings will begin
next week and will call back throng Of fash
ionable people The April list OF weddings is
unusually long; the Jenkins estimate exceeds
two hundred. and includes several American
marriages.
THE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMME.
Lord Roseberys croal1ing raven supplies the
cartoon makers with a fine subject; both he and
they have forgotten. apparently. that the raven
Is the best fighter Of the crow family. There
are no signs that he intends TO OFFER resistance
TO a Cabinet containing so many personal
friends. His opinion that the ministers have
undertaken too much work this year is shared
by practical politicians OF both partieE The
small holdings bill for England and Wales
which # is now expected will be highly con-
tentious measure. for sending the unemployed
from the towns back to the land will need TO
be supplemented by rehousing arrangements on
q large scale. This implies increased borrow
ing by local authorities and heavier rates. How
the enlarged rural population can be supported
when agriculture has been ruined by free trade
remains mystery. The legislative programme
cannot be carried out even with an autumn ses-
sion. and many important measures the Irish
bills among them VIII probably be held over for
another session.
THE LONDON MURDERER.
The agitation in favor OF a reprieve FOR YOUNG
Rayner. under death sentence. is actively con-
Quoted as a halfpenny sensation. "The Daily
Mail" publishes scores OF letters for and against
It. The only effective argument for mercy is Ray
ners own testimony that he went 10 see Mr.
Whitley intending TO commit suicide II he
failed 10 influence him. and that the murder
was not premeditafed. but was the result OF a
sudden impulse. The pleas based upon the
faint Of alcoholism and degeneracy and the
cruelty Of restoring a murderer 10 life in order
70 hang him are unworthy OF serious consid-
GRAFTON. The death penalty was unduly has
tened so that there is little time for reconsid-
Grafton OF the case by the Home Office.
ACTION OF SOCIALISTS.
The Socialist conference at Carlisle has ex-
pressed hostility to the Liberal government.
contempt for John Burns and dissatisfaction
with the labor leaders for not setting faster
pace. It's proceedings offer proof that the I'M
employed class is used by agitators with a
revolutionary propaganda as the main ground
for upsetting the existing arrangement respect
Ing property and creating a common stock for
the benefit OF all classes There is growing
opinion that Mr.. Balfour's legislation for the
unemployed was a serious blunder and apart
from being quite useless as a relief measure,
has stimulated the appetite for larger expedi-
ents for pauperizing the masses.
COMING COLONIAL CONFERENCE.
The colonial conference occupies a leading
place IN the April reviews. Lord Miner dis
cusses it in spirit of optimism in Mr.. Maxses
National Review" and is sanguine that foun-
dalton can be laid for a permanent imperial
council. He does not accept the Chamberlain
dictum that there cannot be preferential trade
without food taxes. E T. Cook. who is a con-
sistent Liberal Imperialist takes a broad-mind-
ed view Of the government colonial policy IN
the leading article in The Contemporary Re-
view The social functions for the colonial
premiers are likely to incapacitate them for