New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-28
POSITION OF GERMANY AT
THE HAGUE.
Especial by French Cable 10 The Tribune
copyright. 1907: by The Tribune Association. !

~ NoHuuct OF foreign, imperial and do
iiieStic affairs This result IS not unexpected,
since craftsmanship has seldom been more acrid
or self-interested. The criticism Of diploma &c
policy centres upon the governments attitude
toward the Hague congress. II is premature
ana unreasonable. No harm has been done By
the strenuous effort 20 press the question OF
disarmament upon the congress. The resoiu-
tions passed by Parliament last year warranted
mis- action. and the Foreign Office hes acted
with dignity in reserving the right to raise the
question Of national expenditures on arna-
ments II the discussion OF the question be
either impracticable fruitless, Germany will
have TO face the responsibility OF riveting tho
burdens OF ornaments upon all the nations. Il
WI! be an effective method Of isolating Ger
many on the moral question. and Will not inn
pair the prestige OF either England or America.
Sir Edward Grey has appointed an experienced
working delegation TO the congress, which Will
naturally cooperate with the American delega-
ton and do nothing to ALLEVIATE France. The
desirability OF taking up the American policy OF
the inviolability OF private property at sea has
been warmly advocated by Sidney Low in a
lucid and forcible article in 1.-THE Standard" as
rational and necessary alternative for the priva-
teering clauses Of the Treaty of Paris. Sir John
Fisher has been credited with incorporating
hostility to this policy. but there is a strong
force OF public opinion behind IT.
WORK OF COLONIAL CONFERENCE.
PartisanshIp has tainted the Unionist COM
ments on the work of the Colonial Conference
This was inevitable when the tariff reform party
has persisted in convincing the colonies that
"Codlin'g the friend. not Short" Lord FL
gin certainly has been embarrassed when a
casual reference 70 Mr.. Chamberlain has suf-
feed 20 excite an outbreak OF enthusiasm at
public dinners. Mr.. HaIdane has been equally
disconnected in dealing with questions OF Inn
perial defence when Sir wilfrid Laurter de-
tests militarism and General Boths favors tho
organization OF strong force OF mounted in
fantry IN the Transveal with artillery behind Il.
While preferential trade is impracticable unless
the colonies insist upon trying the experiment
among themselves and imperial defence bris-
tles with difficulties. there has been united ac-
ton on emigration. judicial appeals and other
safe subjects. While the premiers have been
nearly disabled by excessive hospitality. they
have contrived 20 do a great deal Of work. Mr..
Dealin has not succeeded in defeating bu-
reaucracy, but he has made a reputation as a
most progressive colonial leader. Sir Wifrid
Laurier, with General Botha behind him. has
been Lord Elgin's most serviceable supporter.
He has earned & peerage II he wants It. All
the other preniers VIII be knighted or deco
rated at the close of the conference.
GOVERNMENT POLICIES.
The domestic policies Of the government still
hang fire because there is so large choice OF
weapons in the ar1nory. The Prime Minister'S
method OF dealing with the relations Of the two
houses will soon be disclosed. What is ex-
pected IS not an alteration In the constitutional
system, but change in procedure which will
strengthen the hands OF the House OF Com
mons when there is e deadlock over govern
nent measures. The Cabinet is not united on
this subject, but tho Prime Minister'S viii must
prevail when he has succeeded IN making up his
mind. The date for the introduction Of the
Irish bin Is so late that it's passage viii be i'm
practicable without autumn session Mean
while the retirement OF Sir Horace PIunkett
from the Irish Department Of Agriculture is
attributed Justly or unJustly. TO Nationalist In
trfgue Land legislation seems 20 have a better
prospect than licensing the numerous other
measures. since Lord Lansdowne and other
peers have given warning that Il will be i'm
polite Cor the Upper House 20 Join issue with
the Commons on the policy Of multiplying small
holdings. The government ship is so heavily
overloaded with cargo that Il must be lightened
before progress can be made
PRAISE FOR PRESIDENTS WORDS
pr.sisent Roosevelt's jamestown address re-
eesves tributes OF hearty praise from 1.-The
TiYnes' and many other journals. his utterances
on the problems OF capital and labor being
warmly commented. He is described as
kindred spirit OF the imperial statesmen no"
gathered in London. and the fact that he was
spealdng on Southern soil. with the conflict OF
the Blue and the Gray forgotten. suggests an
analogy with General Botha's remarkable speech
M the National Liberal Club last night, Ia
which ne expressed willingness TO fight for the
British Empire.
--he American Ambassador has met the colo
NAL preTniers frequently. and HIS relations with
Sir Wilfrid Laurier are most cordial. he is al
WORK daily az the embassy and has many social
engagements. April having been an unusually
busy month. owing 20 the presence OF the colo
NAL visitors The meeting OF the Dante Society
at Dorchester House was brilliant social and
literary affair with the controversial seal Of Sir
Theodore Martin, a veteran OF ninety-one, and
the effective retort Of the ambassador 20 Alfred
Austin's superauous ning az America as the
most interesting episodes. The ambassador is
expecting the arrival OF Mrs. and Miss Reid
from America tonight or Tomorrow
AT THE PLAYHOUSES.
rrbo .r4urnDb Of Mr. Sothern and Miss Julia
Nrarlovv- az the waldorf Theatre has been COM
Mate the audience has been enthusiastic. and
with The single exception OF THE Daily Mall
which f. becoming notorious for unfriendly COM
ments on everything American. the critics have
been Just and generous. Mr.. Walkley in To-
davis '"T7mes." prOnounces Miss Marlowe a most
he,r,trhjng Viola, one OF ShakespeaTe's true
women and praises Mr.. Sothern and the Amer
lean company for a most enjoyable representa-
tion of Twelfth Night The American play
era have had full recognition for their pluck in
producing THE Sunken Bell" which Lon
20 VaF1ta Ia nd