New-York tribune., 1907-06-02
DIPLOMACY 1T COMING
HAGUE CONGRESS.
Especial by French Gable to The Tribune.l
Copyright. 1907: by The Tribune Association.

Copyright 1907: by The Tribune Association
London, June 1.-The diplomacy of the Hague
congress is still inscrutabIe. The British dele
cation has not received definite ins ructions. al
though the congress will assemble at the end OF
fortnight. The question of disarmament. in
which the Liberal government has been senti-
mentally interested, cannot be brought forward
without risk of giving offence to Germany. This
is the last thing which Mr. Haldane, one of the
most capable of the Prime Minister'S support
ers. wants to do, yet the government is COM
nlitted TO the support of the American delega-
tion In the discussion OF what can only be an
academic question in which-the military powers
OF the Continent cannot Join. It is also doubtful
whether the British delegation has definite
policy respecting commercial questions, and
especially the security of private property in
naval warfare The second congress will meet
under unfavorable conditions, since there is lit
lie faith in the chief capitals that any important
results can be accomplished There was
equal degree Of pessimsm when the first
gTess met but the American and British dele
cations saved the situation by finding out what
could be done The success of the congress
depends upon the hearty cooperation OF the two
delegations Mr.. Choate is here, but has moth
ing TO say about the work of the congress. The
American Ambassador entertains him at dinner
on Monday night, and there will be several
Choate will remain here until the eve of the
congress The question Of the publicity Of the
proceedings of the congress can probably be
settled easily if the German Emperor. as now
reported, agrees to support the American pro-
posal for admitting the press TO all debates
Complete publicity Will be safeguard against
diplomatic intrigUes. The parliament of man
needs 10 be reported day by day in the in
terest Of all the nations which are influenced
b. h. -,1
GOVERNMENT AT DISADVANTAGE
The Liberal government still suffers politi-
cally from the disadvantage Of having too many
capable and brilliant men in the Cabinet They
have strong opinions, and cannot be kept to-
gether without incessant pickering and feeble
compromises Mr.. Harcourt's small holdings
bill, like Mr.. Birrels Irish council scheme is
q compromise, carefully limited in scope, but,
unlike that unfortunate project, will probably
be enacted. 1t is not a rnea asure which will
carry the unemployed in towns back to villages,
but il may help TO hold the remnant of agri-
cultural laborers where they are. AS the Irish
bill marks a reversion TO Mr.. Chamberain's
substitute for Gladstonian Home Rule so Mr.
Harcourts measure implies the adoption of
Jesse CoIlngs's system of agricultural relief.
but tenancies rather than ownership of the
land will be promoted. This is done out OF
Difference TO the opinion OF the working mem
bers, who perceive that the multiplication Of
owners OF the land viii be fatal to the social
istic proposals for land naturalization. Lord
Lansdowne, while subjecting the Prime Min
iste-'s Holbcrn speech to destructive criticism
has made ii apparent that the House of Lords
will not reject the bill. Something will be ac-
conplished before August and there will not be
autumn session
CHANCE FOR UNIOYTST ATTACK.
The low price Of consols has given the
UniOnist press fresh opportunity for attacking
the government. Many columns have been |
filed with the opinions of lnanciers to whom |
Lord RothschiId and Lord Avebury have shown |
the way for exciting distrust Of everything |
soclaistic. The government has however, |
enough TO answer for without being reproached |
for the fall Of consols and the shrinkage of all !
classes OF securities. These are the results Of |
natural causes which have increased the value |
Of money until investors will not look at any
thing bearing 212 per cent interest. These un-
founded charges are less serious than the de- |
tailed accounts OF the secret arrangements made
by the ministers with General Botha for float
ing the TransvaaI loan with an imperial guar |
antee in return for assistance in securing the |
repatriation OF the Chinese or than the rurnor
OF the revolt Of the Nonconformist members |
against the government, the disturbing fore |
casts Of the revival Of agitation and outrases in
Ireland. Yet the Prime Minister remains a |
smiling, placid spectator Of the debates in the !
House Of Commons 1t is even said that he is |
thinking Of marrying again. but the report. |
while freely circulated. lacks confirmation.
MUCH SOCIAL GAYETY.
The return OF the Queen has been the signal
for an outbreak OF social gayety. This week
has been brimming over with social activities,
among the principal occurrences being Mrs.
Wilfrd Ashley's bail for the Duke and the |
Duchess Of Connaught, Lady Ridleys party, |
Mrs. Potter Palmer's party for the American |
Ambassador and Mrs. Reid, Lord RothschiId's |
large party for the Prince and Princess Chris
nan, Lady Paget's party and Mrs George |
Cavendish Bentincks entertainments for Mrs |
ogden Mills. Singers from Covent Garden |
ordinarily supply the entertainment but Mrs |
Palmer has introduced a novelty in having |
Nine Fremstad appear in the first scene of
salome'" accompanied by Arthur Rubinstein
Next week there will be levee and a court.
and the leading ambassadors will dine at Buck
lngham Palace at the state banquet for the
hlhg ana Queen Of Denmark The most re-
markable feature Of the season is the swarming
oI Americans who have taken possession of the
AOtelE and the finest houses, and are entertain
ing more sumptuously than the richest Lon
ooners- Nearly every other name in the social
coiuTnns is American, and the opera Is half SUD-
ported by New Workers and rich westerners.
flchdru croker may not win the Derby, but
Inc morse show promises TO De an American in
Su'uuoh' with a full muster OF American
HlliIlonaires. Andrew Carnegie has found too |
many Idle Americans here to suit him, and has
.@Aeh night from London northward. Alfred c.