The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-05-23
PASSING SHOW
IN OLD WORLD
News and Gossip from Centers
OF European Society
and Politics.

LONDON, April 10-The crisis il
= Russian affairs has stimulated the ac
tivity of the rumor mongers. Tn,
Car s abdication, the regency OF
Grand Duke Michael and the dissolu
ton of the Duma are foreshadoweG
in sensational headlines by the half.
penny press. The prolongation of the
holiday journey of the Empress Marie
from England to Biarritz is hardly ex-
plicable if dynastic changes are i'm
Ipending Her influence over the Gar
has always been strongly exerted. The
strengthening of the garrison at St.
Petersburg may be proof that the
Duma will have short life. 1t has
not acted like a revolutionary assem-
bly,, but may be dissolved any day if
the deputies lose their presence of
mind. The government has not taken
| pains to conciliate the Moderate mem
| bers, and the reactionary advisers of
the Gar are seeking a pretext for
| bringing the constitutional farce to an
end. The stock market has not been
influenced by the alarming rumors.
HAGUE CONGRESS PROGRAM.
The Hague Congress remains sub
ject of vague conjecture on the part
of the correspondents at Berlin, Rome
and other capitals. The final adjust
ment of the program will probably be
effected with the return of Sir Ed
ward Grey to the Foreign Office. No
great power is willing to accept the
responsibility of initiating the activi-
ties of the international Council, which
has the moral force of public opinion
behind it. There are constant rumors
that one or another power will persist
in excluding questions which can not
be satisfactorily worked out. This
would be a singular exercise of the
veto power, since the congress itself
can alone determine what can or can
not be done. While free field for
discussion is probable, there is increas-
ing apathy in England on the subject
of disarmament. Orders are coming in
for the construction of Dreadnoughts |
on the Clyde and Tyne for foreign
governments. Japan is planning the
largest battleship afoat, and may also |
order heavy guns from Armstrong; |
Brazil, Chile and the Argentine Repub-
lie are having estimates prepared for
turbine battleships. These can readily
be sold to the European power on the |
approach of war, and the Hague Con
gress will find it difficult to forestall |
traffic of this kind Armaments take
on less wicked aspect in shopkeeping
England when there is a prospect for
more work for shipyards and gun fac
tories.
STANDING BY THE PRESIDENT.
The controversy between President
Roosevelt and Mr. Hartman takes up
much space in English journals. The
comments have neutral tint, since
the accounts from America are con
fusing. The Spectator, always
loyal to American interests, does not
hesitate to take the President s part
1t describes him as an impulsive and
eager but absolutely straightforward
man, who has never been shown to have
committed mean or corrupt act.
Hence it concludes that whatever rec
ord leaps to light he never will be
shamed. The markets show signs of
increased confidence in American secu-
rites in spite of the uncertainties of
politics and the struggle over govern
mental control and the regulation of
corporations.
HEALTH OF PRINCE OF WALES.
Fleet street was in panic last night
over the alarming reports of the health
of the Prince of Wales. There was
no confirmation available at Marlbor-
ough House at noon today. The de-
parture of the King and the Queen
from Toulon for cruise on the Medit-
served as contradiction The
Princess Royal, who has returned from
Gibraltar in improved health, is not
deferrins her departure for Scotland
The health of the American Ambassa-
dor is steadily improving. From Pau
he will motor to Paris, and will soon
be back at the embassy in London.
Lord Lister S eightieth birthday has
been celebrated by arrangements for
a memorial edition of his writings
Holman Hunt s eightieth birthday has
been the occasion for the presentation
Of one of his pictures to the nation
This is not 1.-The Lady of Chalott. =
but more characteristic work, 1.-The
Ship painted thirty years ago.